Lamar Class of 2017 challenged to ‘strive for excellence’
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Lamar High School convened a graduation ceremony for the Class of 2017 on June 2 at 7 p.m. at a packed Donald R. Poole Stadium. Family, friends, and loved ones cheered as graduates received their diplomas from principal Kathy Gainey and assistant principal Carlos Burgess, turned their tassels, and bid a fond farewell to their years as Silver Foxes.
Guests heard speeches from scholar graduates Joshua Amerson and Jatisha Samuel, with Amerson noting that many members of the graduating class have known each other since childhood and attended twelve years of school together.
“We have learned and matured together, and I could not ask for a better group of people to have grown up with. Together we have learned a lot over the years, but many of the most important things we have learned are not equations… together we have learned many life lessons,” said Amerson. “Now with the skills and lessons we have been taught, let’s go out into the world and prove that small towns really do it best.”
Student Body president Samuel shared her conviction that her classmates are ready to make the world a better place, and can surmount many of life’s difficulties through a positive attitude and hard work.
“No matter where we go or what we do, there are challenges ahead of us. We must meet those challenges straight on with our head held high and our heart wide open. It’s not enough to simply try to get by in life. That doesn’t move the world forward. We must try to excel in everything we do, strive for excellence at every task, large or small,” said Samuel.
Check out our gallery from Lamar’s Graduation here: https://newsandpress.smugmug.com/Lamar-High-School-Graduation-2017/