KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

No rain could dampen the excitement for Tullahoma High School under the Friday night lights as the Class of 2024 walked the line to receive their high school diplomas. The commencement ceremonies saw 269 students from both Tullahoma High School and Tullahoma Virtual Academy, receive their diplomas.

While rain did hit Tullahoma for the majority of the day, the light rain parted aways as the graduates walked the field of Wilkins Stadium to the classic graduation tunes of “Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar, accompanied by the ovation of family, friends, teachers and administrators.

THS Principal Dr. Greg English welcomed everyone to the 102^nd commencement ceremony for the Class of 2024, and said he was especially grateful to welcome everyone to the outside ceremony, joking that there wouldn’t be an extra for the “cool misty features” at the ceremony.

English thanked Director of Schools Dr. Catherine Stephens and the Tullahoma City Schools Board of Education for their roles in leading the school district, and gave recognition to THS Secretary Brooke Shasteen, THS Bookkeeper Christina Eggleston and the many staff members, custodians and students who helped prepare to make the commencement ceremony happen, as well as the THS administration, TCS teachers and the family of the graduates.

English then honored THS student Kiara Lee Parker, a member of the Class of 2024 who was diagnosed with acute leukemia and passed away in October 2021. English welcomed Kiara’s mother and family to receive her diploma, which was met with a standing ovation from both attendees and her fellow classmates.  

English said he had been looking forward to graduation night all year, but admitted he didn’t have anything written until the day prior as he was trying to craft a message that would entertain, celebrate, motivate and inspire the Class of 2024. He considered several worthy talking points that are commonly used for graduations, but none of them spoke to him. He said he asked his daughter, who was also graduating, about what he should talk about, and she said chickens, which was met with chuckles.

“Though the challenge was tempting, I opted not to talk about chickens,” English said.

He said as he was coming up with his speech, he received the news that the THS Baseball team state bound. While he was excited, he felt regret as he wasn’t there due to preparation for graduation, including his speech.

“I needed to write a speech, a speech that most of you won’t remember past this ceremony, and certainly not in five years,” English said. “But you will remember the defining moments of your high school years, the friends you shared with them and the grownups who showed up to support you.”

English’s message to the Class of 2024 was to stay focus on the things that “actually mattered.”

“The greatest regrets in life won’t be personal failures, it will be about missed opportunities and lost time,” he said. “Prioritize people and relationships, you will never regret spending too much time with the ones you love.”

He thanked the Class of 2024 for letting the THS faculty be a part of their journey, for filling the high school halls with life and laughter each day and for keeping the faculty young at heart.

“I wish you the best as you go out in the world, do good, be nice and stay focus on the things that really matter,” English said.

Director of the Tullahoma Virtual Academy (TVA) Dr. Chris Treadway followed English and thanked both English and THS seniors for letting them share the stage as they celebrate all the graduates for 2024. He thanked Stephens and school board for providing TCS students various educational opportunities and the parents for supporting their children and partnering with TVA to ensure their children met the requirements to be recognized at graduation. Treadway challenged the graduating class by running their own race, embrace change and be present.

“Today is not one day, today is day one of the rest of your lives,” Treadway said. “What you choose with this day and the days to come is completely up to you. Good luck and congratulations.” 

Student speeches

Senior Class President Abbie Lynch addressed her follow classmates and said she was honored to be the senior class president. She shared that she was once told that “thank you was one of the most important phrases to have in your vocabulary.” She then thanked Stephens, the school board, teachers, faculty, friends, families and loved ones for not only being there but for their support throughout the journey of high school. Addressing her classmates, Lynch said since August 2023 she has been told to appreciate the moments the year will bring as it will fly by.

“Since the day we started kindergarten, it felt like this moment was miles away,” Lynch said. “From finding our friends on the playground at recess to finding our friends on Snapchat we have changed so much in such little time.”

For the past 13 years, Lynch said they laughed, cried, studied, stressed, worked, grown and made countless memories. She noted that their senior year was tracked by a variety of “lasts”, including last first day, last homecoming, last sports games, last prom and so on. She said they were at the end of their journey as Tullahoma Wildcats, and while endings are bittersweet, the best part about an ending meant a new beginning was just around the corner.  

“No matter where we end up, we will make the most out of it,” she said.  

Lynch concluded her speech by sharing advice from her parents, which was to get involved, ranging from taking more of an interest in a loved one’s life to participating in a club or organization. She encouraged her classmates to take in the moment as they will soon walk out Wilkins Stadium as alumni, and she cannot wait to see everyone thrive as they move onto the next stage of their lives.

Next to speak was Salutatorian Savannah Stroop, and she said couldn’t put into words how proud of she was to all of her classmates, and thanked the TCS administration for their support, the parents for their love and the rest of attendees for being about to show up and celebrate with them.

She took a moment to express her thanks for all of the opportunities she has been given, first thanking her relationship with God before acknowledging THS Counselor Richie Chadwick, THS Assistant Principal Dr. Renee Flowers and her parents.

“I wish time allowed me to thank every single person that had an impact on my journey, but just know I thank you and I unconditionally appreciative of everything you have done for me,” Stroop said.

While she was excited to give a speech at graduation, Stroop said she asked herself how was she qualified to stand before her peers and give life advice as a 17-year-old girl figuring out her life.  Yet, she said she heard her mind that she was prepared, and to believe her words were valuable and the rest will take care of itself.

Stroop shared that during her time in school, she hated reading and struggle, as while she did well in class, she tested below average in English/Language Arts portion on standardized and placement tests. She said during middle school and the beginning of high school she had the that she wasn’t good enough. Her mindset changed, however, after she read the book “Made For This Moment” by Madison Prewett, at the end of her junior year, where she said it changed her life. Stroop said she felt their intelligence and potential was judged on standardized tests more than their creativity, citing a quote from psychology professor Robert J. Sternberg who criticized standardized testing culture for maybe creating a smarter population at the expense of wisdom and creativity.

“I would not be where I am today without discovering my potential is not found in what a standardized or placement test claim it to be,” Stroop said. “I stand before you today and say what the test score percentage by your name, the numbers representing your ‘growth’ on a diagnostic test, the number on your ACT, it doesn’t define your worth, your value, who you are and it surely isn’t going to tell you how successful you will be.”

Stroop concluded her speech by encouraging her fellow graduates shape their lives on their passions, and not the standards of society, as one’s purpose is, like their thumbprint, different from others.

“I hope to see each of us turn the page in the next chapter of our lives and truly embrace who we are,” Stroop said. “Let’s not anyone or anything keep us from being all we can be.”

Valedictorian Brady Welch followed and he took his classmates back to their first time stepping into kindergarten, where they faced many firsts and the only fear on their mind was fitting in. Over a decade later, Welch said they face a similar challenge, which was the fear of uncertainty. 

“Regardless of what you decide to do, very similar feelings are probably in your head,” Welch said. “In these moments of uncertainty, you must remember what you have accomplished.”

Welch said the Class of 2024 had made history in numerous ways, ranging from sports to clubs and organizations. He noted the victories were not limited to competitions, as all of them had made it through high school, as the hours in the classroom and studying to be able to graduate should not be overlooked.

“The efforts you put in are finally coming to fruition,” he said.  

Welch asked his graduates to remember their accomplishments and to cherish the memories of the friendships they have made along the way. He added they would not have made it without their teachers, school administration and other school staff for their contributions made in their lives and for providing a healthy home away from home.

Welch said he and the graduates may feel nervous about what the future holds but they were all in it together.

“Remember the past as you move into your future,” Welch said. “We are all about to enter kindergarten once again. New sights, smells and sounds will surround us.”

Welch concluded his speech with a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. who said the ultimate measure of a man is where he stood in “moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

“With this chance at a new beginning I pray we all remember the foundation we built with one another here and stand alongside one another as we step into our next chapter,” Welch said. 

Before the graduates walked to the stage to receive their diplomas, English announced the Class of 2024 has been offered more than $6.5 million in academic scholarships. English then announced this year’s recipients of the THS Faculty Award were Abbie Lynch, Isabella English, Clay Turner and Brady Welch. English also revealed that they had retired the principal’s award and introduced the  THS Legacy Award, which recognizes and celebrate the success of students who have demonstrated great character, determination and resilience “even when faced with significant challenges and adversity along their way.” The first recipient of the THS Legacy Award was Triston Morris. As the graduates walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, each student gave English a coin, similarly to previous years when graduates gave golf balls or marbles. English said after all the graduates received their diploma he believed he was about $3 richer.

He then welcomed Student Body President Xaiver Fowler to lead the graduates in turning their tassels. Fowler said the Class of 2024 has the potential to claim wealth, fame and power and anything else the world has to offer.

“As we wake up to reality from the tutorial that is K through 12 educational system, I have but one challenge for you all,” Fowler said. “Whatever you do in life, give it 100%. I want you all to push past your limits go beyond. Some might even say ‘plus ultra’.”

Fowler finished his speech by stating he had a dream that the Class of 2024 will change the world for the better or at least becoming functioning members of society. He then asked his graduates to stand, and, with the power invested in him and the educational system, to turn their tassels and pronounced them high school graduates.