Covering our local schools is one of the cornerstones of the community-based coverage we at The Newton County Appeal aim to provide for our readers, and no education story is more important than recognizing the young men and women who will be receiving diplomas and college certificates this year.
From Union to Lake, Newton to Sebastopol, more than 300 students have reached the end of their 12-year-long journey through the school system and are being recognized for their success at commencement ceremonies throughout the month of May.
Others received associate’s degrees and certifications from East Central Community College and junior/community colleges around the state. Some have earned bachelor’s degrees from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Jackson State, Southern Miss and many other colleges around the state and across the nation.
Even still, more have completed master’s degrees or doctorate degrees to further their education even more.
Some are doing that because it is a means for advancement in their careers. Others obtain the degrees because they just want to continue their education. Some adults are even making career changes to go a different direction with the rest of their life.
Whatever the reason for their motivation, we salute you for your hard work to complete this phase of your life.
Each year, The Newton County Appeal staff works for several weeks to compile a graduation section honoring graduates in our community and giving others the opportunity to do the same. And before you begin the next phase, we’d like to celebrate your achievements.
And as this phase comes to a close, it is certainly not the end of things, but it is in fact the beginning of a whole new part of your life.
Actually, each day can be a new beginning for you. If you are unsatisfied with how things went yesterday or the last phase of your life, you can always begin again at any time. And honestly, what we did yesterday doesn’t matter as much as what we do with the opportunity today.
This class has endured difficult times, as this senior class lived their whole lives in a post-September 11 reality. Now, we all will be living in a post-pandemic life that will be much different that what it was in 2019.
And while we are moving on from that period, it did leave an impact on the rest of your lives. Virtual classes and zoom meetings are likely some of the things that everyone will have the rest of our lives.
Many lives have been lost over those past few years. Some of you have lost your parents or siblings. Others have lost grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Others may have even lost their best friend or other good friends from families moving away to take new jobs in other towns.
The journey has been long and hard, but you made it to the end of that road.
Graduates, whatever you plan to do after receiving your diploma, whether you’re college bound or entering the workforce, do it with pride and satisfaction in a job well done. That simple piece of paper is a testament to the world you are knowledgeable, skilled and determined to succeed, and we look forward to writing articles about your future successes for years to come.
Congratulations to the Class of 2022!
Brent can be reached at bmaze@newtoncountyappeal.com.
