DHS seniors leave mark for others

TJ VanDyke - Advisor

Photos courtesy Richie Williams

With each May comes another class to walk across the stage in the middle of JC Sawyers Stadium, and in that aspect, this class was no different. What was different was the students who actually did the walking across that stage. Each new year brings a new group of students and new ideas to DHS, and when those students leave, they leave their marks forever. The class of 2025 has done that for many teachers and students at the high school.

Earlier this week, the same class that walked across the stage this Saturday morning - an unusual graduation time to say the least - walked the halls of each of the Dyersburg City Schools to say "see ya later" and "thanks" to the teachers who transformed them into who they are today and to the younger students who have looked up to them for the last several years. Many of those seniors will never know the lasting impact they have had on the teachers of Dyersburg City Schools, and I will say that I am one of those teachers. I can't say that I have a favorite class, but some are more memorable than others, and the class of 2025 is one of those. The journalists in my Torch class have left a permanent mark on me. I tell them quite often "loveyameanit," and I really do mean it, and I want them to do amazing things because I know they have the potential to do so.

If I am not mistaken, I have had the privilege of teaching every valedictorian since I started at DHS, and Clare is no different. She is one of the smartest people I know, and, as long as she uses her power for good and not evil, she will do great things. If she decides to go the evil route, she may rule the world one day. Either way, Clare, remember that you and I are friends, and don't be a stranger.

I have also had the privilege of teaching every FCA president, and I was so impressed with Jayden's prayer. If you don't know her, you should. She is a wonderful person with a huge heart, and she is destined to succeed in whatever it is she does. She just has that personality and charisma.

I could go on and on about every graduate I have taught, and some I haven't, but I will not bore you with my sappy memories.

I am sharing Clare's valedictorian speech and Jayden's prayers below because I feel like they need to be heard by more people than were at the ceremony this morning, and if you get a chance to speak with one of them, tell them how much you enjoyed reading it, because I know you will.

We also appreciate Richie Williams for taking photos this morning. You can check those out by clicking here: https://www.southernsnaps.com/p601289930

Jayden's Prayer:

Dear Lord,

   Today as we stand at the threshold of a new beginning, I thank You for all the blessings and guidance you have provided thus far. Thank you for the teachers, coaches, mentors, and friends that you sent along the way to help us get to this point. Thank you for every part of Your plan, from every joy to every mistake, which You have allowed us to flourish in. 

   God, as we prepare to take on paths that look different to each of us, I pray that every graduate here has their value, passion, and strength placed on their heart by You. I ask for Your continued grace, and that we stay close to you in every uncertainty, struggle, or heartache we face in the future that we are now diving into. Grant us wisdom in the choices we make, courage in the unknown that we face, and the greatest of all, a love that reflects You in our service for others. 

   Lord we love you, we revere you, and we thank you for the salvation you have gifted us in your only begotten Son. God bless this graduating class and those here to celebrate with us. 

In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Clare's Valedictorian speech

Good morning, parents, teachers, family and friends of the class of 2025. Today is a time to celebrate, but first, a few thank yous are in order.

First, thank you to our parents. None of the students sitting in these seats would be here without the unwavering support of the parents, family members, and support systems that have guided us through childhood and our schooling. You have worked tirelessly for 18 years to help us get to this moment, and we wouldn’t be here without you.

Next, thank you to the teachers, faculty, and staff at Dyersburg High School who have taught us, aided us, and inspired us along the way to these seats we sit in right now. Not only have you given us the academic and practical knowledge to help us succeed in life after high school, you have also ensured that we are kind, empathetic, curious, and passionate people.

Now, to the class of ‘25. Congratulations! We made it. Our four years at Dyersburg High School have seemed both interminably long and impossibly short, but it has all led up to this moment. We have learned lessons, made memories, and completed a ridiculous amount of Quizzizzes, and we are finally here. To me, our four years have been defined by timing, both good and bad.

While we only experienced one year of freedom before the cell phone ban, and we’re just barely missing the new and improved dress code, we arrived at Dyersburg High School just in time to watch the Lady Trojans basketball team become state champions, experience the debut of General Tso’s chicken and breakfast for lunch in the cafeteria, and attend the first four Dyersburg versus Dyer County football games in a decade. 

On a more serious note, the timing of our graduation and entrance into the “real” world comes at a time when the “real” world seems to be changing more quickly than ever. Innovations in technology, art, and science are reshaping society, commerce, and government, and unprecedented events and achievements seem to occur daily. While these times we live in are exciting and invigorating, each new invention and transformation brings with it new challenges and new learning curves to climb.

But, in the words of Malcom X, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

While none of us can be sure what the future brings, each and every one of us has done good work preparing ourselves for the future. We have written essays, read novels, and solved challenging problems, but we have also developed values of honor, diligence, excellence, and compassion that will guide us in our next steps. Tomorrow, we will wake up as real adults in the real world, with the opportunity to make real change. Regardless of whether we attend college, go into the workforce, or pursue something completely different, we can be sure that we are prepared to face whatever life throws at us.

I leave you now with words from Nelson Mandela: “A bright future beckons. The onus is on us, through hard work, honesty, and integrity, to reach for the stars.”

Congratulations, class of 2025.