Putnam County High School honored a major academic stepping stone in students’ academic career May 27. This graduating class has been the most successful, receiving numerous scholarships as well as being the largest graduating percentage at 98.9%.
There were a total of 128 graduates with 63 of them being honor graduates. Scholarships from over 27 local area foundations were given to students as well as multiple full-ride sports scholarships.
Principal Dr. Andrew Cooper highlighted how Putnam County’s sports program has improved, and with the help of the newly established Student Leadership class, students have been able to put in thousands of service hours into their community. He said the students are truly one-of-a-kind as each unique individual was able to earn their high school diploma as they prepared to start the next chapter in the rest of their lives.
To send them off, Lily Thomas, salutatorian, provided an empowering speech about the large world she and her fellow graduates would be taking on by storm. She laments how there’s, “an innate beauty in beginnings,” hoping that all of her peers find peace, joy and remain passionate throughout their futures. “Arriving there is what you’re destined for, don’t rush the journey,” she quotes from Ithaka, by C. P. Cavafy.
She was inspired by this poem because it encourages people to focus on the present rather than race to the finish line. Thomas expressed how her former classmates are all unique individuals who have their own paths to reach their goals. She said she appreciated that all of their paths crossed and wished the best for all of the graduates.
Valedictorian Tyler Wallace nearly left the audience in tears. Based on numerous accounts, his speech had been impactful about embracing diversity and being kind to each other.
“The beauty of being human, we are not static,” he said while sharing how each person is a unique multifaceted being that has far more dimensions than what we could assume. Avoiding assumptions is one thing he learned and hopes people take away that assuming things will only close oneself off from the rich diversity our world has to offer.
He has gained so much knowledge from the different perspectives and cultures at Putnam County High School and has learned not to live up to the closed-minded standards society pushes onto its youth. To emphasize his point, he shared one of the most personal aspects of his life.
“As a start, allow me to share my own identity with you: My name is Tyler Wallace. Two of you in the audience know me as your son, some of you know me as your friend, but many more probably know me just as that one quiet kid who never does anything more than schoolwork all day. Yet get to know me and you might learn some more about me. I love to play video games and I am a fiend for some disco and pop music. “I’m also gay, which is something I’ve
“I’m also gay, which is something I’ve struggled with in the past, but I can now say proudly and confidently. All of these aspects make up who I am as a person and provide yet another perspective to share with the world. I hope that all of you can also be confident in your identity and in turn create a space for others to be confident in their identity.”
He was met with a roar of applause. The interaction was an example of bridging the gap in society.
The top students left their fellow graduates feeling confident and accepted before they were serenaded by the Literary Trio, consisting of Lylli Anne Flander (senior), Delaney Chambers (senior) and Marielle Peguero Polanco (sophomore), who sang “Written by the Stars,” a song a father wrote to his graduating daughter. Afterwards, the graduation ceremony commenced. Superintendent Eric Arena confirmed that each student present deserved their high school diploma.
Just when the crowd thought things couldn’t get more emotional, silence overtook the stadium as family members of Jeremiah De’Sean Walton walked up to receive his diploma. Jeremiah was fatally shot before he got the opportunity to graduate. It was a solemn moment as the family exited the stage.