Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Lincoln Celebrates 2017 Graduates
LINCOLN — Lincoln High School’s graduation has a time-honored tradition of remembering parents and a new tradition now of remembering the moment.
The presentation of flowers is an emotional one for most because graduates go up into the stands to their family members with a single rose to give to their mother, father or another significant person in their lives. Several students brought bouquets of flowers and handed those out to others they considered special.
With more than 90 graduates in the Class of 2017, lots of hugs and tears can be seen across Wolf Arena.
The Class of 2017 had 96 graduates, with 91 walking across the stage to accept their diplomas.
With diplomas in hand and all graduates back to their seats, Principal Courtney Jones continued the new tradition, started last year. She told her students to get their phones out and take selfies. A generation that has almost grown up with cell phones in hand didn’t have to be told a second time.
Phones came out and students took photos of themselves and photos with nearby friends to capture the moment they had graduated from Lincoln High School.
Like other graduations in the area, Wolf Arena was standing room only. The stands were filled with parents, grandparents, friends, teachers and staff, and others. Many stood along the railing at the top of the gym to watch the graduation ceremony take place.
Superintendent Mary Ann Spears welcomed guests to the 2017 Commencement ceremony.
Jones always presents the graduating class with the word that represents the group as a whole.
The Class of 2017 was a challenge, she said, because of their uniqueness as individuals.
She said she chose the word Strong.
“Strong in that even though you have had many obstacles and difficulties in your lives, you always show strength,” Jones said.
The class was tenacious and resilient, always looking for opportunities.
“You are noteworthy in so many ways whether it is as an individual or as a class…You are kind and willing to give your whole heart when wanting to accomplish something.
Continue on your path with a strong positive attitude. It will get you far.”
Senior class president McKenna Cunningham addressed her classmates, reminding them how long most of them had been together in school: 12 years — 2,160 days — 1,036,800 minutes — 62,208,000 seconds. Cunningham said she was supposed to share words to remember their 12 years together and at the same time, be inspiring and motivating.
She quoted author and poet Maya Angelou, who said in part, people “will never forget how you made them feel.”
Cunningham’s advice to the Class of 2017 was to be the person for someone else.
“You’ll find that every kind act, no matter how small, is definitely significant and that in doing great things for others, you are simultaneously doing great things for the world.”
Jennifer Avellaneda Bravo, valedictorian for the Lincoln Class of 2017, encouraged the graduates not to limit themselves.
“We should have the drive to find a bigger box, the strength to build a bigger shelf, and the self-worth to say, ‘hey, I’m gonna eat the entire bag of tortilla chips.’ Don’t choose to limit yourself because it’s easier, choose the struggle of big dreams because it will make you happier.”
The path ahead may be bumpy with winding roads and shortcuts here and there, she said, “but the lessons that we’ve learned and the knowledge we’ve gained from our failures, will be the tools we need to face life head on.”
Salutatorian Shylynn Osborne said she was clueless on what to say when she learned she was second in class. Going to several sources without success, Osborne said she just decided “to wing it.”
She recalled the class as the first eighth-graders on the new high school campus. Since that day, students have grown, matured, made and lost friends, under-slept and overslept, struggled and procrastinated.
“We’ve faced all these things and so much more to get where we are today, and it’s paid off,” Osborne said.
In closing, Osborne said, “We are the class of 2017. This is it, guys. This is our time. Let’s go show the world what we can do.”
The Commencement ceremony included musical presentations by Lincoln High band and Select Choir. The senior slide show offered baby pictures alongside senior photos, along with scholarships awarded. In all, Lincoln High graduates were awarded more than $1 million in college scholarships.
Students also were recognized for earning college credit, taking Advanced Placement courses and receiving certifications through vocational classes.