Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Nevada Seniors Subdued At Graduation

Graduation at Nevada High School Thursday night was subdued for the most part.

There was some cheering for the graduates as their names were called to receive diplomas, but the graduates were quiet and reserved.

No mortarboards sailed into the skies following the commencement ceremonies, though the graduates did embrace one another, some for the last time, and families congratulated their children for completing high school.

The NHS gymnasium was standing room only for the Class of '99, as family and friends gathered to see the graduates taking one of the biggest steps of their young lives.

The ceremony opened with Brandi Young presenting the honors address.

She challenged the Class of '99 to make sure the world will never be the same as they should work to make a difference.

She said though the graduates were leaving much behind, school pictures, friends, grades and memories, some good, some bad, all will step into the real world to make new friends and memories.

"There will be people who try to hurt you and hold you back," Young said, "but only one person can make you a success yourself. I challenge you to vow to make a difference in the world.

"We're all here for a special purpose. There are reasons for everything we say and do. We need to make an impact on everyone we meet."

She was followed by Justin House with the address to the parents.

He thanked all parents for the support they've given the students thus far in their lives, encouraging them to be their best and supporting the decisions they made along with being there when they made mistakes.

Lori O'Keefe presented the class farewell, saying it took 13 years to get to this point in their lives.

She said all will have many opportunities in the future and challenged them to do their best.

Nevada Superintendent Rick McAffee presented the administration's address. He said the students did a great job in making it to this point in their lives and are now ready for what tomorrow brings.

"As you step forward into a new millennium," he said, "there are challenges you'll face you can't comprehend now.

"With the global situation the way it is now, the violence we see in schools and among our own people is unimaginable. These are problems you will have to face and solve. We've done all we can to prepare you."

The faculty, he continued, did what it could to get the students ready for the challenges they will face, adding there was a sadness in losing such a fine group of young men and women.

"The world today is a new place," McAffee said. "Each time we get the news we see situations both wonderful and scary, but knowing you as I do, you will make a difference in not only the community and state, but in the world with the lives you will lead. Our prayers go with you as you accept these challenges."

Maj. Gen. Don Morrow, adjunct general with the Arkansas National Guard, presented the commencement address.

He complimented and congratulated the graduates for reaching this milestone in their lives.

"I know the feelings you have," he said. "Your lives will be scattered with milestones, but tonight is one of the most significant events in your lives."

Graduation, he continued, is an ending, but also a beginning in the rest of the lives of those involved.

He urged all to continue getting a formal education at every opportunity no matter what they may do, whether it be going on to college, trade school or straight to work.

Morrow also told the graduates to accept responsibility for their lives and actions, as they are the ones who will determine what they do and how they will live.

He told of a young man who went through one of the guard's two youth programs. One of these programs is for dropouts, while the other is mandated by the legislature.

This young man, he said, took the GED test three times, failing it on each try. He then sat down and examined why he kept failing the test and realized, Morrow said, he had been blaming others instead of taking responsibility for his own actions.

The fourth time was a charm as the young man passed the test and immediately joined the army.

Morrow suggested the graduates follow this young man's advice and accept responsibility for their actions and make themselves valuable to all others.

Following his talk, the diplomas were presented to the graduates by Nevada School Board President Doug Cogbill, the graduates filing out of the gym and taking the first step into the rest of their lives.