Hot Springs graduates receive diplomas
<p>Salutatorian Michael Gray and fellow classmate Lyndsey Mae Felts walk into the graduation ceremony in Hot Springs.</p>
HOT SPRINGS - Adorned with ribbons, balloons and occupied by proud parents, teachers, friends and family, the gym at Hot Springs High School played host to the graduation ceremony for the class of 2013 on Sunday.
Decorated with adornments in the school colors of red, black and white, the gym was packed with standing room only to celebrate a transition in lives of 12 young people. Onlookers lined the walls of the building, waiting for the graduates to emerge from closed doors.
After they made their way in pairs around the crowd, the class of 2013 took their seats as superintendent and principal Kevin Meredith introduced senior Shanelle King to the podium.
King welcomed the crowd and thanked all for coming before the salutatory speech was given by graduate Michael Gray. Gray said he was proud to be a member of the class of 2013 and added that he was “going to miss my close friends and family.”
Next to deliver an address was guest speaker Jim Lawson. Lawson recalled fond memories of some of the graduates and told stories about a few of the students. Lawson spoke about some of the amusing differences between this class and his Hot Springs graduating class over 20 years ago.
“We didn’t have Facebook. All you did back then was talk to your neighbor and you got all the gossip. Nowadays all you guys have cell phones. You guys will type on those things until your thumbs hurt. Technology has changed a lot over the years,” said Lawson.
On a more serious note, Lawson did have an important message to deliver to his young audience. Lawson used the example of Roger Bannister, the first person to run a mile in under four minutes. Bannister accomplished the feat on May 6, 1954.
Lawson spoke of another nameless runner who had the chance to be the first to accomplish the feat but balked when critics said the endeavor was impossible. Lawson cautioned the class against listening to people who tell them that they cannot accomplish their goals.
“Take advantage of opportunity. There are going to be times when you have to make decisions that will affect the outcome of your future. Take advantage of all the opportunities that are available to you. You want to be remembered like the Roger Bannisters of the world,” said Lawson.
After Lawson spoke, valedictorian Wyatt Nagy stood at the podium to deliver his message to his class. He spoke about his hopes for the future of his fellow graduates.
“I do have one request of you. I want you all to do whatever it is that you choose to do but with a desire to be great at it. There are too many people in the world that do not try to be great simply because they lack the desire to do so,” said Nagy.
“Do not be afraid to fail on your journey. Failure is the best teacher in the world as long as you learn from your mistakes,” said Nagy. “Do not be afraid to be yourself. Changing who you are for someone else is something none of you should ever do.”
After the valedictory address, the senior slide show played on a large screen to the amusement of the audience. Baby pictures and photos of students in the hallways of the school profiled each individual graduate.
After the presentations of a variety of awards and scholarships, Meredith presented the class of 2013 to the applause of the audience. Caps flew in the air and the graduates once again paraded around the gym before posing for pictures.
As they made their way through the doors of the gym for the last time as students, the class of 2013 left behind a lasting impression on friends, teachers and many others in the small town of Hot springs.
“I am going to miss the fun that I had with everybody, the small community, loving people, my friends, peers and all the teachers who helped me out,” said graduate Lyndsey Mae Felts.