“We cannot view today as a finish line, we need to view today as the starting point for bigger and better things to come” said Anson High School’s Valedictorian Erin Thomas as 236 graduates and their families battled the heat on June 4.
During the graduation ceremony, students from Anson County Early College, Anson High School, Anson New Technology School and Anson Academy walked across the stage to receive their hard-earned diploma.
“They’ve been together through athletic teams, JROTC, instrumental music, cheerleading, church and various other activities,” said Superintendent Michael Freeman, “So while they may have attended four different high schools their hearts were joined together through the numerous activities that we provided them in our community for their entire life.”
The ceremony began with the National Anthem being played by several band members — graduates Madison Martin, Trevor Flake, and Jessica Wiersum — and their director, Matthew Jarrett. Anson Academy graduate Donyea Harris gave the invocation and Anson High School’s Max Martin led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The theme held throughout all the valedictorians speeches was “We Are Anson.” ACEC’s Valedictorian Naly Lor said, “With the wings given to us by Anson County’s everlasting support we are free to pursue our hopes and dreams. We have the freedom to continue our education, join the work force or even to help defend our country. Whatever path we take we can take it with confidence knowing that with our Anson roots we will always have a place to come home to and with our homegrown wings the sky is truly the limit.”
The thing that Anson High School graduate Sally James is going to miss the most after graduating is all of her friends and teachers and how everyone was like a family. She said she looks forward, though, to continuing her education and her future by going to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and majoring in nursing.
Anson New Technology’s two valedictorians kept with the “We Are Anson” theme in their speeches.
“We are products of the people, places and events we’ve experienced throughout our life” said Jackson Poulnott.
Jaquone Lewis continued by saying, “It’s hard to forget where you’re from no matter how hard you try. We can’t forget about the people who helped to transform us into the people that we become.”
Kacie Winfield, an Anson Early College graduate, is graduating with her high school diploma, an Associates in Arts degree, and an Associates in Science degree.
When asked what she will miss most, she said, “This is where I’ve grown up. I’m used to everybody, I know everybody, coming from a small town, so you’re really going out of your comfort zone (after graduating), so that’s a big adjustment to make because you don’t have, you still have your support system from home, but you don’t have everybody right there beside you.”
Tracey Brewer is a freelance correspondent for The Anson Record.
Anson County valedictorians and salutatorians meet at the graduation ceremony. Naly Lor and Holly Yang were the valedictorian and salutatorian for Anson County Early College. Jaquone Lewis and Jackson Poulnott were the valedictorians for Anson New Technology High School and Erin Thomas and Malia Gaddy were the valedictorian and salutatorian for Anson High School.
Honor graduates from Anson County Early College, Anson New Technology High School and Anson High School gather at the graduation ceremony.
Anson Academy students line up to receive their diplomas.
