Morgan County’s senior class of 209 students finally got to turn their tassels last Friday night and officially graduate from Morgan County High School.
The ceremony was held under the lights of Bill Corry Stadium and marked a special milestone for everyone involved. It was the first graduation held without coronavirus restrictions since the pandemic hit at the beginning of 2020.
After the seniors trotted around the field for all to witness, they sat at midfield and listened to multiple speeches from fellow classmates and school faculty.
Valedictorian Sydney Griffith acknowledged how wild of a ride it truly was being a Bulldog.
“During the last four years, I’ve tried to imagine this day, but nothing I’ve imagined can even touch on the intensity of the emotions I see throughout the stadium,” Griffith said. “Tonight, we gather under the lights with memories of Friday night football games, homecoming week shenanigans, rehearsals and practices… We are here to celebrate our accomplishments and all that we’ve done.”
The 2022 senior class accomplished a lot. Of the 209 students, half have already declared they will either be attending a school for higher education, joining the workforce or heading into the military.
On top of that, roughly 70 kids graduated with honors. Principal Dr. Miki Edwards addressed these accomplished seniors with her big “secret”.
“At the end of each school year, I have the privilege of getting to deliver a message to the graduating class and reflect on their time at MCHS to try and capture something about that class’s personality,” Edwards said. “All of this reflection led to a realization I must confess to you… Class of 2022, you are my favorite graduating class.”
The light-hearted comment was followed by Edwards’ explanation of all the changes and hardships this class has had to endure.
“As freshman, you were the last class to experience the old building and have a homecoming there. For your sophomore year, things were moving right along until March 13th where you were sent home to finish the school year online due to COVID. Nothing about that year was normal,” Edwards said. “As juniors, we were fortunate to come back to school in person, but you had to navigate mask-on zones, quarantines, contact-tracing and a lot of remote school work. Now, as seniors, you are here after living through new and old traditions to have the first “normal” graduation.”
The encouragement the senior class received from its classmates and teachers really made the environment feel special. Friends and family members were emotional in the stands as confetti and balloons filled the air after the official announcement was made.
Hard work turned into hard-earned diplomas, and the 2022 senior class of Morgan County ended their night with hundreds of caps thrown in the air in heartwarming celebration.