SUCHES – Lilli-May Dempsey, Ryan Marsh, Elijah Miller, Steven Mossinger and Robert Waldroup took their final walk as Woody Gap School students on Saturday, May 23, closing one chapter and beginning another during commencement exercises inside the school gymnasium.
The ceremony opened with a prayer from Dempsey, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Waldroup.
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After Miller welcomed those in attendance, the graduates recognized their parents before Principal Wendy Reynolds, who is entering retirement, presented scholarships and announced that Woody Gap students had received more than $33,000 in grants and scholarships.
Valedictorian Ryan Marsh, who will attend Western Carolina University, addressed classmates, family, friends and faculty gathered inside the gym, encouraging his fellow seniors to remain true to themselves, even when it is unpopular.
“High school is often described as a time to find yourself,” he said. “But the truth is, many of us spent these years feeling pressured. Pressured to act a certain way, look a certain way, or become the version of ourselves that others expected.
“The ones who make the greatest impact on the world are rarely the ones who try to be like everyone else; it was the people who embraced who they were.
“These graduates today all have something unique to offer, and it’s OK if you’re still figuring out who you are and what you want to be. What matters most right now is that we allow ourselves to grow into who we truly are, not what others expect us to be.”
Salutatorian Lilli-May Dempsey congratulated her classmates before delivering a faith-centered address.
“We live in a culture that tells us our value is the sum of what we achieve,” she said. “We are told our purpose is found in a diploma, what college we’re accepted to or the career we pursue. And while those things are important, they are not what defines us. If we build our identity entirely on those things, then we’re building on a weak foundation.
“Our ultimate purpose doesn’t come from what we do, but who we are in God. When the plans we make for ourselves take unexpected turns – and they likely will – we don’t have to lose our sense of direction; we have something stronger to hold onto.
“Our value is not something we have to earn every day; it’s something that was given to us before we ever took our first breath.”
In closing, she thanked her parents for the lessons they taught her and reminded those in attendance to always find value in the “Creator.”
“Thank you for teaching me that the greatest thing I can do with my life is to love God and love the people around me,” she said. “You encouraged me to do great things and always do my best, even when it was hard.
“I want to leave you all with this: If you are unsure what your purpose is, I can assure you it can be found in the God that created you.”
Following the valedictory and salutatory addresses, the lights were dimmed for the senior video that featured a montage of photos highlighting each student.
The graduates then received their diplomas from Superintendent Dr. John Hill on that rainy morning in the Valley Above the Clouds before tossing their caps into the air and preparing for whatever comes next, whether college or the workforce.
