Paris, Tenn.–Despite all-day rain storms, the clouds cleared Friday evening and the weather was perfect for the commencement ceremonies for the 305 Henry County High School graduates. Speakers last night were Valedictorian Gracie Williams, Salutatorian Katie Bullion, Honorable Mention McKinley Snow, and Class President Emma Jane Murphey.
The ceremony was videostreamed live by our radio stations and can still be viewed on our website, Facebook pages and YouTube channel.
The following are the speeches presented at the ceremony:
Class of 2023 Class President – Emma Jane Murphey
Good evening and welcome to the Henry County High School Class of 2023 graduation ceremony. I am Emma Jane Murphey, your senior class president. I would like to thank all of the family, friends, employers, and peers who are here to support their graduates. I would also like to thank the administration, faculty, and staff for their part in our education, and Officer Powell for his words of wisdom. Personally, I would like to thank my parents for their fundamental role in my success.
At a young age, the image I had of high school looked a lot different than what we have experienced the past four years. Our class has been forced to overcome many challenges that have inevitably molded our individual character. Due to Covid, we spent the first two years in high school with social distance learning and contact tracing, which created an abnormal high school experience. We were not able to have the luxuries and freedoms that we imagined in middle school.
Covid was not all bad, though. Each of us were equipped with new skills of discipline and perseverance. I commend you all for taking the initiative to get out of bed and log into class instead of hitting snooze on your alarm and rolling over in bed. I believe that Covid was a factor in our class’s maturity, pushing us to become greater students.
As I have talked to teachers and administrators, one common memory they have shared is the reputation our class brought from middle school and from Grove. If you’ll remember, our class had a huge problem with discipline and disrespect; subsequently, we were named The Bad Class. However, when Dr. Webb mentioned our growth in the first Senior meeting, I grasped how much we have matured and grown as a class. You may not realize, but the fact that you are sitting in that chair, dressed in a graduation cap and gown, is a major accomplishment, considering all of the obstacles we have faced the past four years in high school and even the past thirteen years of our education.
As I close, I would like you to think about all of the bonds you have created at Henry County High School. Though they may not all last, they will be a part of your character for the rest of your life. Hold on to the memories of high school, use the lessons you have learned, and be proud of the things you have accomplished. Just as the father and son say in The Road, “We’re carrying the fire,” so too must we. We must carry a fire of hope and continue to persevere even in the hardest times. Our generation will make a difference in this world. Class of 2023, we are the hope for the future. Congratulations!
Class of 2023 Honorable Mention – McKinley Snow
Today marks a significant moment, one that we have been eagerly anticipating for years. We have successfully completed our high school education journey. Our hard work and perseverance have made this day of celebration possible.
As we reflect on our accomplishments, I want to take a moment to highlight the uniqueness that we each bring to this class. In a world where conformity is often easier, remembering our differences makes us stronger. Throughout our time in school, we have demonstrated our individual talents, passions, and strengths. These qualities have not only brought success to this class, but also they have helped shape us into the individuals we are today. Whether you have excelled academically, artistically, or athletically; participated in countless extracurricular activities; or given back to our community, your actions speak louder than any of my words can communicate.
Our unique qualities aren’t all that make us special. Our incredible accomplishments make us stand out. As a class, we have earned 116 industry certifications. We have completed 584 early postsecondary opportunities. After graduation, 124 of us will be attending a four-year university, 34 will be attending community college or technical school, 43 will be joining the workforce, and 10 will be joining the military. Of those of us going to college we will represent Henry
County High School in 7 other states, including Alabama, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, and Mississippi.
As we move forward into the next chapter of our lives, I encourage each of you to remember that you are capable of achieving greatness. This year our motto was “I’m not here to be average; I am here to be awesome.” Remember the qualities that have made you awesome and successful.
In the bible Jesus tells his disciples, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Don’t let the world determine what you are known for. Instead, use your unique qualities to live out the message you want the world to see. No matter what message you hope to convey, celebrate your accomplishments, but never forget there is always more to achieve. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” As individuals and Henry County High School graduates, it is our responsibility to use our talents, passions, and strengths for the good of others.
Congratulations, Class of 2023, on your incredible accomplishments and your undeniable uniqueness. May you continue to be awesome in all you do.
Class of 2023 Salutatorian – Katie Bullion
As salutatorian, I am here today to offer you a salutation. In other words, I’m here to give you a “hello,” a “hi there,” or maybe even a “good evening” if I’m feeling conversational. However, a salutation is, more importantly, an offer of goodwill and affection. In the spirit of goodwill and affection, I want to offer everyone here today a warm welcome to the event that you have been waiting for for twelve years or more.
Today I want to talk about choices. Take for instance a computer code. If written correctly, the user will be sent exactly where they need to go. Or consider a chemical reaction. If balanced properly, the end result will be exactly what was intended. In both scenarios, however, errors can lead to different outcomes. Just as these paths can lead to positive or negative outcomes, so in life, our paths often have intended or unintended outcomes. In addition, the crossroads we come to end up changing lives, either for the better or for the worse. Every day, you make the choice to affect someone in a positive way or a very negative way. Believe me, I have had others make both decisions towards me – that being a decision to be hateful or a decision to be kind.. However, you should wake up every morning and make the right choice – to show goodwill and affection towards others – despite negative interactions.
However, just making choices towards a singular person does not even scrape the surface of the subject of choices. Making choices also involves making
choices toward your community, country, and your world. In 4-H, we are taught to serve our community, and the 4-H pledge states,” I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world.” It is essential to volunteer yourself and your time to help others that are less fortunate than yourself and remember to give back to the community that has given to you.
Lastly, although I have claimed that making choices for others is the most important, making the choice to show love to yourself is just as important. We’ve got a long, hard road ahead of us, no matter if you are going to college, a trade school, the military, or the workforce. Be proud of what you have worked for to get here and how hard you will work to get to where you want to be in the future. When you are worn down, make the choice for yourself to take a break and refresh. Make the choice to show affection to yourself like you do to others. After all, you will not have the energy to help others if you do not help yourself first.
As we start on this new journey, you have plenty of new choices to make. Even if you believe you haven’t always made the right choices, today starts a clean slate.
In conclusion, today I want you to say hello: say hello to your new friends, your new school or job, your new life, and your new choices.
Thank you.
Class of 2023 Valedictorian – Gracie Williams
Good afternoon to the class of 2023, friends, family, and faculty. It’s an honor to be standing with my peers. If you don’t know me already, my name is Gracie Williams. You might have seen me stand out a foot in every crowd; you might have heard my name on the intercom for FCCLA, or you might have just seen me on one of my mom’s millions of Facebook posts. But, tonight is not about me. Every single person standing, sitting, speaking here today is deserving of this moment. Soon enough, this day will be just a memory to you, so relish it and be present in this moment.
Looking back, I remember being six years old, playing on the swings wishing I were eleven because that number sounded so cool, then wishing I were thirteen because then I’d finally be a real teenager. Then, I wished for sixteen because I’d be able to drive with my windows down. And now, almost eighteen, I wish I could go back and do it all again. What I’m trying to say is stop wishing away your time. Don’t spend your days wishing you could have more money, could travel more, or make a different decision. If you have a dream and you want to do something, do it. Act on it. Don’t just sit there wishing you could have, would have, or should have. Wishing is a waste of energy, and this point in our lives isn’t the time to waste our energy.
In the last four years, we’ve all developed our own friend groups, personalities, and inside jokes. Together, we’ve had both good and bad
experiences, but it’s important to remember that it’s okay to say goodbye. There are memories that we want to relive forever, and there are some we would rather forget. Regardless of how you look at it, it’s okay to say farewell.
Though the doors of Henry County High School are closing for us, we are opening a door to the hallways of the rest of our life. Even though doors may open and close at different times in the future, we closed the one for high school together.
Maybe you don’t know where you want to go or what you want to do. That’s okay. But carrying around a backpack for four more years won’t magically tell you. Joining the workforce or military won’t tell you either. So, don’t force yourself to do anything that will stall you from finding your future. Our dreams and goals will lead the way and it all starts here on our graduation day. I challenge you to remember that you have to give yourself permission to fail, to go easy on yourself, and to pick yourself right back up. No matter where we end up, we started from this moment and our legacy will live on with our name. Good luck to the class of 2023 and remember to open the right door that will lead to the rest of your life.
Photo: Valedictorian Grace Williams presents her speech as school board members, Director of Schools Dr. Leah Watkins and Principal Dr. Michele Webb look on. (Tyler Miller photo).