Andrews The timing was absolutely impeccable.
As Michael Jackson’s 1988 hit song “Man in the Mirror” played in the background, Andrews High School Principal Lance Bristol told the 49 graduates to look their best, do their best and be their best every day after they left the school gymnasium with their diplomas Thursday night.
As Jackson sung “to take a look at yourself and make a change,” Bristol told the Class of 2022 to grab the mirrors placed under their chairs and take a look at themselves and see how much potential they had to do good in the world.
“Tomorrow starts today with a man or woman in the mirror,” Bristol said. “Take a look at yourself and make that change. Be your best. Be the change that is contagious. Be the change that carries compassion, carries hope and carries peace, carries goodness.”
The speech ended just seconds before the end of the five-minute song, which was impressive considering Bristol added it at the last minute. It wasn’t the only last-minute change for the ceremony, which was moved inside just hours before it started due to rain throughout the day.
It didn’t matter, as the gym was packed with friends, family and staff minutes after the doors opened at 7:15 p.m. With temperatures in the high 60s outside, it was only mildly hot in the un-air conditioned gym, even with a packed house.
Students processed in while the Andrews band played “Pomp and Circumstance.” The choir sang The Beatles’ “Let it Be,” while senior Harley Crawford led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Dawson Cross was named Outstanding Senior Boy, while Brooke Phillips was named Outstanding Senior Girl. Class President Mackenzie Stalcup and Aleah Brown made speeches, each emphasizing different aspects of the high school experience.
Stalcup focused on the ups and downs of high school, which were pronounced for this senior class, as Class of 2022 member Connor Pressley passed away in December 2020. However, that taught her to celebrate each day.
“I got today,” Stalcup said. “I got to hear my alarm go off. I got to sit through another math class as much as I hated it. And, seniors, we got tonight. Celebrate that.”
Brown focused on how the school will always feel like family, no matter what.
“I know we may go days or months or years without seeing each other,” Brown said. “But I know when we do see each other again it will always feel like home. I cannot wait to see all that you accomplish.”
As the graduates left the gym and into what Bristol called “the first day of freedom,” one thing was certain about the Class of 2022. They’d been through the challenges of high school and stuck together, which prepared them as best they could for what happens next.