Starkville Academy seniors reflect on high school memories
Today is the day the students of the Starkville Academy Class of 2022 have yearned for since the start of their senior year: graduation.
At 7 p.m., the outgoing Starkville Academy seniors will walk across the floor at the Newell-grissom Building on the Mississippi State campus to receive their hard earned high school diplomas that they've worked hard to earn.
Tyler Highfield is one of those students who will earn his diploma tonight, and while sad to be leaving Starkville Academy behind, he is excited to graduate and is thankful for all the school has done for him in preparing him for his future.
As he looked back on his years at Starkville Academy, Highfield will miss the school's “family atmosphere” the most.
“Whether in sports, clubs, organizations, and even classes, the coaches, teachers, teammates, and classmates are always there for you and willing to help out in any way that they can,” said Highfield. “I also am very thankful to be a part of the Class of 2022, as we have a great number of exceptional students and athletes. Whether winning back to back robotics state championships, winning girls tennis championships, watching basketball and soccer compete for state championships, having seven members of the 30+ ACT Club, to having over $3,000,000 of scholarships offered to our Senior class, this class has excelled in all areas and I am thankful to have been a part of this outstanding class.”
After graduation, Highfield will be moving on to the United States Naval Academy with plans to major in aerospace engineering.
“As I continue on to this next journey, though, I will be prepared with the knowledge, leadership skills, work-ethic, and teamwork that I learned at Starkville Academy,” Highfield said.
For the rising senior class of 2023, Highfield's advice for them is to push themselves out of their comfort zone and try to accomplish more than they ever thought they could.
“Senior year goes by extremely fast, so use the time wisely to try out new things, involve yourself in different groups and activities, work hard, take charge, and become the next group of leaders to make an impact on Starkville Academy and our community,” Highfield said.
Emmy Moyen is another Starkville Academy senior who will walk across the floor tonight at Newell-grissom. For her, graduation brings a lot of mixed emotions. She feels ready yet she doesn't, she feels sad yet excited, she feels expectant and apprehensive all at the same time.
“Starkville Academy will always hold a very special place in my heart,” said Moyen. “I am so incredibly grateful to my parents, sister, teachers, and friends who have made Starkville my home for the past five years. I will forever cherish this town and the people in it.”
Moyen added that some of her most favorite times at Starkville Academy would have to be homecoming week and Friday night football games.
“Most of my favorite memories of high school were made during those events,” Moyen said.
In the fall, Moyen plans to attend