Tiger Stadium was packed on Friday, May 27 for Greene County High School’s graduation ceremony.
Family, friends and community members all gathered in the stands to watch the 81 graduates from GCHS walk across the stage and receive their diplomas.
Cheers and roars echoed throughout the stadium during the ceremony for the GCHS class of 2022.
Several students, including salutatorian Kennedy League and valedictorian Zanobia Brown, spoke.
Their words hit home and rang true as many in the crowd and on in the field teared up at some point.
During the salutatorian address, League challenged the class of 2022 “to do great things.”
“During the past four years, we have gone through lots of changes,” she said. “Our looks, interests and aspirations have all changed. Change can sometimes be scary, but it shows growth. After being in school for 13 years, we will finally be on our own. … That’s where I want to challenge every one of you (my classmates) to succeed in your own path in life and do great things.”
Following League’s speech, she received a few ‘amens’ from her classmates.
Brown then took the podium for her Valedectorian speech, which was one of the many highlights of the night. The future UGA student talked about her own personal struggles and how she overcame them.
Brown also paused a few times during her speech to hold back tears, although she had a big smile on her face towards the end of it.
“I can say with complete confidence that this class will go out and change the world,” Brown said. “Although all of you have this potential, I want you to remember one thing, and it’s that unexpected things will occur in everyone’s lives. However, the class of 2022 has what it takes to push through.”
She added that whatever it is her classmates want to do in life, they can achieve it.
“Don’t allow others to define you,” Brown said. “Do the best you can do, and be happy with that.”
Before she left the stage, Brown left her classmates with one final message.
“Life will take you places and show you things that you’ve never seen, nor could ever imagine” Brown said. “In her speech, Kennedy expressed the idea of change. What I took from it is, today, our lives are beginning a new chapter. We will go into this world and pave the way for future generations. Yes, we will have our ups and downs, twists and turns, but it’s up to us to make what life throws at us.”
The crowd gave Brown a standing ovation as she walked off the stage.
GCHS Principal James Peek proceeded to take the podium before presenting the student’s diplomas.
He stated to Greene County Superintendent Dr. Chris Houston, who was on stage, that all 81 students had met the requirements to graduate from GCHS.
Peek added that he was proud of the class of 2022’s efforts for the past four years.
He, like League, challenged his students to seek success in life by “growing” individually.
“If you can be the best for the world, it will become your teacher,” Peek said. “Your growth won’t be based on speed, competition or trends. Your growth will be challenging, meaningful, fulfilling and most importantly, lifelong. By striving to be the best for the world, you guarantee that the gifts you have now will be fully realized, and that will be a legacy of which you will be proud of.”
Before closing out his speech, Peek stated the the GCHS class of 2022 earned $262,500 of total college savings.
Also, he mentioned, that out of Greene County’s 81 graduates, 65 percent participated in a club or sport. There were also 119 dual enrollment classes taken and 280 college credit hours earned. In addition, 24 students took a combined 52 AP exams.
In his final remarks, Peek highlighted the footprint that this class will forever leave on GCHS.
“The future is an amazing place,” he said. “Your success is not guaranteed by being a graduate. Indeed, it’s far from it. We live in a fast-paced world where you will only be as good as your last job. This changing world offers you unparalleled opportunities and some very difficult challenges. Each one of you will have your own unique opportunities to succeed. I am confident that you all will rise to every occasion. Again, congratulations to each and every one of you.”
After the turning of the tassels, students tossed their hats, and then sang the school’s alma mater.