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Together one last time
The 161 members of the Union County High School class of 2007 shared a little bit of everything last Friday, as friends, family, and school faculty joined them for their final moments together as a class. Michelle Blubaugh gave the opening welcome, saying, "Thirteen years ago we headed off to our first day of school. We were nervous but full of anticipation and excitement. This evening, our graduation is a tribute to all those who held our hand when we were nervous, to those who walked us to our classrooms, and to those who kept their promise, and always remembered to pick us up afterwards." After a singing by Bonnie Blackmer, Lauren Dyer and Kayce Ledford provided the moment of reflection, beginning with a quote from The Wonder Years. "Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, and the things you never want to lose."
"Middle School was the era of being cool and trying to fit in," they continued. "The only way to achieve this coolness was to won a Furby, A Tamagachi, and a Beanie Baby. "The last 13 years have truly been a blessing for us. High school has brought out the best in us for the unique individuals we are. Our grade felt like a family and we hope you all never forget the time we have shared, the memories we have made, and the love between all of us." Taylor DeBell offered the appreciation of the class. "On behalf of the class of 2007, I would like to take this time to thank our community, our teachers, our friends and family who have helped us along through everyday life," DeBell stated. "We are thankful for our great community, for always supporting us and helping us with whatever it is we have needed. We are also grateful for our teachers who have helped us mature into the young adults we are today. I also want to thank our friends and family for the endless support they have provided to us throughout the years. I want to thank my fellow classmates who have made our years in high school unforgettable.
Salutatorian Jasmin Gonzalez gave a very emotional salutatory address to her classmates encouraging them to be bold and set high expectations for themselves. "Do not settle for just being a doctor. Be the best doctor in Union County, or the most prominent business owner in Georgia, or the most influential President in the history of the United States. Aspire to be the best you can be in everything you do. That is how a person achieves grand things. "This class is already great. We have remarkable athletes, inspiring artists, students with excellent technical skills, and incredibly intelligent scholars. But remember, do not stop here. Set the bar higher, and when you reach it again, set it even higher.
Colton Payne offered the recognition of the class. "On honors night 86 members of our graduating class received local scholarships sponsored by businesses, organizations, and individuals around the community, totaling close to $100,000, along with $281,000 from colleges," he said. Payne pointed out that the class has received Region championship titles for girls soccer and competitive cheerleading, along with trips to state by softball, cross country, boys and girls soccer, and competitive cheerleading. This year the varsity boys basketball team had the second most winning season in the history of UCHS. "Standing here now I see a group of young men and women who have distinguished themselves academically, athletically, and socially," he stated. "Armed with knowledge and determination, we are prepared to face life."
"As I have grown up through the years here, I have realized just how powerful individuality truly is," Sarrell said. "From the day we entered school society trained us to become clones of one another, and of the grades before and after us. "Despite all these outside pressures, we chose to stand out. We chose to be different as individuals and as a class. Never has a class achieved such friendship and cohesiveness as a group. Class of 2007, I commend you for breaking the mold, for staying true to yourself, and creating an unbreakable bond. I give you the advice of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail." Kate Towery gave the class challenge, saying, "We the class of 2007 certainly have left our mark on Union County High. This is my challenge to you, the class of 2008. Make a name for yourself. Live your life to be remembered by your accomplishments, not the chaos. Take your passion and enthusiasms for life, and apply it in the classroom. Refuse to be the class no one remembers. Scar Union County High School in such a way that your lives and your actions will never leave the halls."
Cody Huggins and Cason Carter delivered the closing. "How does it feel to be graduated," Huggins asked. "My classmates have already told you all their is to know about the class of 2007. Union County High School has been such a blessing to me and I want to thank all of my classmates for the four amazing years I had growing up here. Friends, enjoy your night and always remember the amazing times we had here. As we go off on our own ways, I leave you with this quote by my good friend Jedediah Carter, "Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did."
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