Abby Atkinson lightened up the May 20 graduation ceremony with a dose of silliness.
The Madison County High School valedictorian went from speech to rap, getting cheers from the packed house at the Athens Classic Center.
“Consider this my salutation as I address this congregation, welcome to the graduation of the best class in the nation,” she rapped.
Atkinson also got chuckles as she recited the names of everyone who promised her a dollar to mention them at the podium.
“… J. Ben, Timia, Tyler Pugh, Tyler Pugh, Tyler Pugh, Tyler Pugh, Tyler Pugh, Mrs. Clarke and Buffy, Jordon Thomas, Chance and Blake, Clint Tiller, Jahkeil, Morrell—no, this isn’t Cedar Shoals, Mrs. Latana Coile, Trey Culp, and Doc. You guys owe me,” said Atkinson.
The valedictorian thanked the parents and family members who put up with the senior class members over the years.
“To our family: we used to be all cute and little and fun to be around,” said Atkinson. “Then we became bratty children that wouldn’t listen to anybody. After that we went through this awkward teenage stage that must’ve been difficult for you guys. Thank you for sticking with us and claiming us in public tonight. Graduates, I believe tonight would be an opportune time to ask for money.”
Atkinson cited a song by Baz Luhrmann as the basis for the advice she offered her fellow graduates.
“Do one thing every day that scares you,” said Atkinson. “Sing. Floss. Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how. Stretch. Accept certain inalienable truths: gas prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young gas prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders. Respect your elders. Don’t expect anyone else to support you.”
Salutatorian Bethany Poole said that Friday is the “last of many days we have spent together as a class.”
“Over the years, we have made so many special memories. From Friday night football games to school dances, from clubs to classes, and from school activities to after hours, we have been through so much,” said Poole. “We have shared many tears, laughs, struggles with sadness, and moments of joy. We will never forget these times or the people who made the years so enjoyable. When we look back on these days, we will remember them with a bittersweet fondness.”
She said the past few years were filled with many tests.
“They have been academic, athletic, moral, and social tests woven into an unfinished tapestry of our lives,” said Poole. “Right now, I know that many of us are wondering what the next few years in our lives will look like as they are added to this picture we are designing, however, we will have to wait as the future unfolds before us. Life isn’t a question we are supposed to ask, but a lesson to be learned in time.”
Principal Chad Stone also took the podium Friday and spoke of the graduates first day at school in kindergarten, noting that the children cried and clung to their parents that day. He said the roles had been reversed Friday. The parents cried and wanted to hold on to their kids. He reminded the graduates of his repeated advice: “do the right thing.”
Poole said Stone’s advice hit home.
“One of the greatest lessons I have learned in high school is to always ‘do the right thing,” said Poole. “I hope that Dr. Stone’s daily reminder will never be far from our minds and hearts as we open the next door in our lives.”
John Cornish said there won’t be anymore “waking up every morning before the sun had risen used to be a never-ending cycle, only temporarily stayed by summer breaks.”
“We are gathered here today to witness the launch of hundreds of new lives, bright shimmering lights racing off in all different directions,” said Cornish. “No one can say where we will all go, where we will journey to, and where we will end up, because the future is not written, it is left for us to self actualize, to seize for the rest of our lives.”
A planned video tribute to the Madison County seniors was not shown Friday due to a technical glitch. But cameras flashed all through the ceremony. And a number of seniors were recognized for their perfect attendance marks, including Zachary Rhoden, Eli Smallwood, Andrew Floyd and Amie Little, who had seven years perfect attendance. Dylan Chandler was honored for nine years perfect attendance. And Jenna Jansen received loud applause for making it 13 years — kindergarten through senior year — without missing a day.
Colton Chandler won the 2011 “Good Citizen Award.”
The May 20 ceremony opened with a moment of silence for MCHS business teacher Tammi Barker who died on graduation day. All students and faculty in the ceremony wore black and white ribbons in honor of Barker.
