Hiwassee Dam – Thirty-four seniors walked into the gymnasium of their familiar school building one final time as students in anticipation of the commencement ceremony Saturday morning.
The atmosphere was quiet, yet filled with energy as bittersweet emotions enveloped the coming and going of a chapter in each graduate’s book of life. The ceremony began with a processional before prayer and moment of silence led by academic and CTE honor student Taylor Burt before Principal Daniel McNabb shared senior recognitions.
The nine academic honor graduates were Taylor Lynn Burt, Lonnie Clayton James Crisp, Clay Christopher Davis, Jonah Randall Hamby, Samantha Louise May, Katelyn Brooke McNabb, Kaitlyn Michelle Patak, Daniel Thomas Samuelson and Madison Nicole Shorette.
In addition to the black cap and gown, there were different colored stoles and cords. Each different color indicated an accomplishment and its recognition. Stoles were awarded for summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude and the National Honor Society.
Colored cords were awarded for different accomplishments, such as for CTE honor students, career readiness, college prep, leadership, N.C. Scholar and Big Brother Big Sister, as well as junior marshal and a variety of field, trade and industry studies.
A slideshow was presented by McNabb showing photos of the seniors, along with their baby photos, which earned some chuckles from the audience.
Taylor Burt spoke about, “Capitulos Finem: The End of The Chapters,” while Madison Shorette talked about “The Beginning.” Both young ladies were academic honor students.
The ceremony moved forward with the awarding of the diplomas by Jason Murphy, a member of the Cherokee County Board of Education, and McNabb.
School board Chair Shannon Raper gave the declaration of graduates, which was followed by Katelyn McNabb, the student government president, who turned the tassels with the Class of 2024.
The alma mater was led by students Jonah Hamby and Madison Shorette, followed by the recessional to “Pomp and Circumstance”.
Five students from Hiwassee Dam High School Class of 2024 also earned associate’s degrees from Tri-County Community College. Three seniors passed exams to become certified nursing assistants.
More than three quarters of the seniors earned silver or higher on their WorkKeys Career Readiness exam, earning the National Career Readiness Credential. The credential measures and certifies essential work skills needed in a variety of jobs within industries and occupations. These skills are needed for job and career success.
Twenty graduates will attend community colleges, three will attend four-year institutions, eight will go directly into the workforce and three other graduates plan to join the U.S. military.
Among some of the careers that will be sought by the newest Hiwassee Dam alumni are auto mechanics, business, cosmetology, culinary, equine education, fire, rescue and law enforcement as well as nursing, outdoor education, physical therapy, radiography, real estate, sonography and welding.
McNabb bid the 2024 graduates farewell by saying, “I challenge each of you to not only go into the world and do well but, more importantly, go into the world and do good.”