Hiwassee Dam – “At first, I was ready to see my friends go, but now, here at graduation, I’m actually going to cry. I am going to miss them,” magna cum laude senior Kara Penland said at Hiwassee Dam High School’s graduation ceremony Saturday morning, when 32 seniors gathered in the gymnasium to receive diplomas and be commissioned into the world as young adults.
For Principal Daniel McNabb, the occasion was bittersweet. He’s been working at the school for 26 years, eight of them as in the top role.
“This is a special group of kids,” he said. “They lost their sophomore year due to COVID, and I think it made them closer.”
Many of the graduates, lovingly referred to as the “Dirty Dozen,” started the school at pre-kindergarten; McNabb’s daughter, Payton, was among them. He attributed the successes of the Class of 2023 to the school’s efforts and the close-knit community.
“All I need to do is ask, and I don’t even have to ask, and the community steps in. This auditorium was decorated by community volunteers,” Principal McNabb said.
From the full bleachers and loud clapping, the community seemed deeply invested in the future success of these graduates. English faculty member Wendy Britt agreed with McNabb about the specialness of this graduating class.
“They are cheerful and optimistic,” she said as students gravitated toward her classroom. “They have a good attitude and are all about community.”
A cluster of blue-gowned seniors walked by. She asked them what they learned in her English class.
“Nothing!” called out Tanner Taylor, and everybody laughed. “I learned critical thinking,” Olivia Alewel said over the laughter. Miss Britt was good at trying to probe us to explore our thought process.”
Kiera Taylor, Tanner’s cousin, saw some challenges up ahead as she leaves the small school for a bigger world. “We’ve always been so close,” she said. “We are so small, being in a bigger place, we’re not used to it.”
During his commencement speech, McNabb bragged on the 2023 class.
“In total, they earned over $190,000 in scholarships; 14 are going to community college, 12 will attend four-year universities, five are going directly into the workforce and one student will join the U.S. Air Force.”
Magna cum laude graduate Tyler Robertson, 17, is ready for larger opportunities.
“I’ve joined the U.S. Air Force,” he said. “I’ve worked with the Civil Air Patrol for four years, so I feel I’m ready.”
Still, he will miss his classmates. “There’s only 32 of us, so we’re close,” Robertson said. “I’m ready to leave, but I will miss them.”