By Camryn Flores
On Saturday, May 25 at 2 p.m., Lanier High School’s Class of 2019 celebrated the completion of their high school journey in the Infinite Energy Area. The significance of the moment was clear at the beginning of the ceremony; as the students marched into the arena, they were met with deafening cheers from their families and the echoing sound of “Pomp & Circumstance.”
The afternoon included acknowledgment and reflection from the superintendent’s office by Steven B. Knudsen as well as an inspirational speech from Valyn Turner, the salutatory address from Britley Jones, and the valedictory address from Michael Kim.
Valyn Turner was also awarded the AJC Cup for her many contributions to Lanier High School. Following these impactful and insightful speeches, students were presented their diplomas.
“The amount of love and appreciation in the room,” said Salutatorian Britley Jones, “from both the graduates and their families, was unreal. It hit you in that moment that this was it; all your hard work brought you to that moment in the stadium.”
At the end of the ceremony, Nairobi Huff, the 2019 Lanier High School Senior Class President, presented her fellow graduating class. She instructed her classmates to move their tassels from right to left, symbolizing both the end of their high school career and the beginning of their transition into a new era of their lives.
As the students recessed from the arena following the ceremony, questions fired around in their heads. “What comes next?” “What is my next step?” “Who do I want to become?” While graduation could not provide answers for everybody, speakers such as Dr. Christopher Martin, the school’s principal, did try to provide comfort and advice. Dr. Martin ended his speech with a joke that every student at LHS could relate to: “This is Dr. Martin, coming to you live from the Infinite Energy Center. I’m just here to wish you all a 24-Carat Magic Longhorn Day one last time.”
