By Stephen Smoot
Lincoln High School’s Class of 2024 took center stage last week as they celebrated the end of their secondary schooling and the commencement of what comes next for each hard-working graduate in life.
As the ceremony opened, all eyes turned to the doors of the fieldhouse. Cameras greeted the soon-to-be graduates as they walked in single file, girls in gold and boys clad in brown. Band members flawlessly presented Pomp and Circumstance, then the Star Spangled Banner.
Ava Belcastro spoke first, saying “thank you for everyone gathering here to support us,” including “the circle of friends and families that support us . . . and inspire us.” She included words of appreciation “for Mom and Dad.”
She spoke of spending her first three years “watering down my personality” before deciding to just be herself her senior year. The lesson learned? She gained more friends, had better experiences, and more confidence as a result.
“I love you guys and I’m so grateful for our graduating class,” Belcastro concluded.
Michael Gallagher stepped up to the podium next, thanking faculty, staff, and his family “for inspiring us.” He discussed the concept of “normal,” then shared accounts of some experiences at Lincoln that could be called fun, exciting, and unique, but perhaps not normal. He finished with “work hard, hold your head high,” and “keep fighting together.”
The next student speaker, Sierra Menendez, said “we’ve reached this incredible milestone,” and admitted that “I sat for hours figuring out what I wanted to say.” She then shared that “some days, I’d have rather done anything than come to school.” She overcame that “because of the people that we’d see here.”
Alli Bragg remembered “all of the laughter” and the “dedication” of staff and faculty while Anna Haynes shared that “we love each other here and we treat one another like family.”
Principal David Decker shared his own find memories of the Class of 2024. “I think about all of the good times,” he started, giving as an example the excitement of “hearing the fight song after a big win.” He added that “the Class of 2024 has great taste in music!”
After discussing their taste in musical notes, he sounded a different kind of note in sharing that the class had earned just under $1 million total in college scholarships.
Next, each graduate was recognized as they stepped forward and received the degree that was 13 years in the making.
After the graduates all resumed their seats, Nathan Swiger stood to “thank our teachers for everything.” He touched on four years of athletic success and camaraderie by thanking teammates and coaches.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, all joined in the traditional singing of “Country Roads” before the now former students ventured off into the next chapter of life.