The 127 graduates of Martinsville High School (MHS) were told at their May 25 Commencement Exercise that they are going to make a difference.
The words came from School Superintendent Dr. Zebedee Talley Jr., who also said when he first looked at the class when they were in the second grade, he knew they were going to make a difference because they were sharp, smart, ambitious, and want something.
“When you look at their GPAs and their accomplishments, it’s tremendous. They came to us at a time when we were in the bottom three of the entire 133 school divisions in the state, and they were in the second grade,” he said.
Nine years later, Talley said the school division is accredited with higher test scores, and noted the graduating class started the upward momentum of the schools.
“God did not give you your intelligence for nothing. He didn’t give you your standing, or foresight for nothing. He didn’t give you your looks for nothing, your dreams for nothing,” he said.
Talley said he also needs the graduating class to make a difference, particularly in Martinsville as the future of the city is changing and is going to continue to change.
“I need you to come back in the future and give something back to this community. I really mean that, you’ll find out it’s a whole lot more blessing to give than to receive,” he said. “Your teachers have given you an education, your parents have struggled, they’ve worked, they’ve stayed with you, they pray with you, and now you’re on your way to universities, to the Air Force, to trades. You are special.”
Dr. Aji Dixon, MHS principal, thanked parents, grandparents, and teachers for helping the students reach graduation day.
“We want to thank you for all the support that you gave to ensure that these young people made it to this point. These young people” are here today “because of a lot of hard work went into helping to support them throughout these years,” he said.
Nayti Bhavesh Patel, co-president of the class, said she knows many seniors continuously said they couldn’t wait to graduate, “and look, here we are about to graduate. As many times as we kept saying ‘I can’t wait to graduate,’ one thing is certain: we will all leave here with countless memories. This year was memorable, and we will always cherish it.”
While the class has accomplished so much, and there will always be something to look forward to, Patel said “I want to tell you all to always cherish the memories and experiences that’s going to lead up to every new milestone that’s going to come up in your life.”
As their adult lives begin, Patel said there will be challenges to face and many ups and downs.
“However, do not forget that you are a Bulldog and you have it inside of you to persevere through any challenge life throws at you. Whether you choose to go to college, community college, the workforce, or the military, you are destined to do great things and take every obstacle that may come your way with pride and confidence because you are brave, you are resilient, and you are capable of overcoming any challenge,” she said.
Patel said she has no doubt that every graduate is destined for greatness with new horizons to explore, “but never forget that this place is home.”
Class Co-President Christopher Bryant Talley II said the ceremony was a culmination of the class’s high school journey.
“Looking back, we have grown academically and personally, and each challenge and triumph has shaped us into the individuals we are today,” he said.
While the past four years have been fun, Christopher Talley said they were also challenging and memorable, especially as the class started freshmen year off differently, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We didn’t get the 9th grade experience like everybody else did. It was difficult coming to the school that next year being classified as sophomores because technically we didn’t have a freshman year. We had to adjust just like the freshmen that incoming year. It was a new experience, but a fun one,” he said.
Christopher Talley said he enjoyed his time playing sports at Martinsville and being part of several clubs trying to make the school a better place.
“Class of 2024, as we step forward into our future, let us carry on the lessons we’ve learned and the friendships we’ve formed. Whether you’re heading to college, starting a career, joining the military, or exploring other paths, remember that the world is full of opportunities,” he said.
Twenty students received the Superintendent’s List award for a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or higher, 24 were “Big M” Trophy graduates, and 22 were “Big M” certificate graduates.
Twenty-one students were part of the National Honor Society, 21 were part of the BETA Club, and 22 were members of the National Technical Honor Society.
A moment of silence was also held at the start of the ceremony for the Martinsville junior and Magna Vista High School senior who lost their lives in a car crash earlier that morning.
Gabriel Lucas Haley led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Martinsville Gospel Choir performed “It’s Not Over” by Jason McGee.
