Robbinsville – Tears were shed, fond memories recalled and – more importantly – 87 girls and boys transformed into women and men before the collective eyes of those gathered inside the Robbinsville High School gymnasium on Friday.
The annual graduation exercise returned indoors for the first time since 2019 and was held before a packed gathering of family, friends and well-wishers – all of whom found themselves wedged so tightly near to one another, COVID felt like a fever dream.
But the hour-plus event made the cramped conditions worthwhile, as speeches delivered by members of the graduating class showed a nice balance of gratitude and kinship.
The Robbinsville High School Band crooned “Pomp and Circumstance, March of Glory” as the Class of 2023 filed into the gymnasium for their final assembly together. The opening invocation was given by Montana Adams, while Lindsey Brittain gave everyone a proper welcome to the commencement.
Following the band’s performance of “Eagle Ridge,” Lizzy Boyle presented a powerful speech in her “Tribute to Parents,” recounting her days with her younger sister in foster care and the journey it took just to reach Friday.
“In 2016, I was placed in foster care with my younger sister. I was 11 and she was 9,” Boyle recounted. “The time that followed was full of turmoil, uncertainty and terror. We had never slept over at someone’s house; let alone left ours completely. We had each other, but we were all alone in other aspects. Then, a month later, two people opened their arms and their home to us. Little did we know that they had been fighting to become foster parents the entire time we were gone, so they could give us somewhere familiar to live. The adoption process just solidified what we already knew: we were their kids and they were our parents.
“My point is this: just because my parents are not biologically my parents, does not mean they are any less my parents. So, this is not a ‘Tribute to Parents;’ this is a ‘Tribute to Family.’”
Emma Kate Harrison made sure that those who guided the way for the Class of 2023 to reach its pinnacle received their just due in her “Tribute to Teachers.”
“Graham County Schools is so blessed to have such incredible teachers and staff,” said Harrison. “Every teacher throughout elementary, middle and high have taught us something, whether it was by actions or words. Though each of you had a different curriculum to teach us, one thing that you all had in common was the way you cared for us and taught us so much more than what was going to be on the test.
“We may not remember everything was in your curriculum five years from now, but I guarantee you that we won’t forget about the times you went the extra mile – not only in class, but in our personal lives also.”
Class President Caleb Turpin came down from the highs of his unprovoked crowd surf at May 6’s prom to deliver the “Tribute to Friends.” Turpin recounted an incident in which a certain vehicle owned by a certain member of the class ran over his cornhole boards the night before the first day of school – oddly enough, he eyed valedictorian Haylee Crisp while telling the tale (The Graham Star can confirm that Crisp quickly made up for the incident the following day with a cash transaction to cover the losses).
“After today, we will all be going our separate ways and pursuing separate careers,” Turpin pointed out. “I can assure you that without the support of my friends these past four years, I would not be standing on this stage right now. The adventures I have had with my friends have given me memories that I will cherish forever, like the times we would go fishing, hiking, camping or riding around town until 2 in the morning – memories like that are unforgettable.
“I encourage all of you to do the same; never forget good times with your friends. Enjoy it and cherish it while it’s there.”
Turpin concluded his speech by quoting Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
“So after today, when you open an exciting new chapter in your life, do everything in the glory of God, because God is good,” Turpin said.
Assistant superintendent Robert Moody introduced the rare pairing of two salutatorians: Erica Daniels and Desta Trammell.
“As we look back on the past, we see how much we have grown and how far we have come,” Daniels said to her peers. “We have all faced different challenges and made memories that will last forever. Now, we are closing one chapter of our lives and making a new one.
“Once you receive your diplomas and the hats come off, I want you to be proud of all of your hard work and be excited for what lies ahead.”
Trammell’s speech began with a piece of nostalgia, as everyone was magically transported back to a time that may seem like it was only yesterday – but was actually 2010.
“It was the morning of the first day of school,” Trammell recalled. “My mom came in my room to wake me up – but little did she know I had been awake for hours, anticipating the day ahead of me. I very quickly put on my new outfit that I had chosen from Justice; and my new Twinkle Toe shoes that lit up with each step. I grabbed my backpack that was engulfed in Justin Bieber and headed out the door.
“This morning, I also got ready – but instead, for my last day as a Robbinsville High School student. When I look around at the graduates sitting here this evening, I am in awe. We are no longer children; we are young adults.”
Superintendent Angie Knight introduced Crisp and noted that she knew the valedictorian was well on her way to the top of the class when the students first assembled together in pre-k.
“My child (Alex Knight) – like many others – hit the playground wide open; this cute little blonde was sitting at the table, writing, ‘Haylee Crisp, Haylee Crisp’ in the neatest little letters,” Knight remembered. “I knew then she may be headed down the path she is on today.”
Crisp’s message to her peers was simple: be yourself.
“We are all here to celebrate all of our hard work over the past 13 years and reflect on the experiences – one that was unique and different from every other graduating class from Robbinsville High School,” Crisp said. “Even though we shared many experiences with each other, we were all given the opportunity to create and forge our own paths that will lead to our futures.
“Who we are and what we value are decisions that we get to make. In 10 years – at our class reunion – I don’t want to be remembered as our class valedictorian; what is more important than this achievement is the hard work and teamwork that I learned along the way. Just these qualities alone are a part of who I am and who I want to be, which brings me more joy and purpose than the title ‘valedictorian’ ever could. Once you are confident in your identity, you are already successful. So after today, wherever you decide to go or wherever life takes you, never let career positions, income amounts or other material things determine your self-worth and identity.”
Following the Presentation of Diplomas and Acknowledgments from Kelle Williams, Kensley Phillips concluded the event with a Benediction.