CHS Graduates 143 Graduates Urged to 'Keep your face to the sunshine'

The Spring Cove School District’s Central High School graduated 143 students at the varsity football field in Roaring Spring on Friday, May 31, on a summer day with clear skies, temperatures in the high 60s and a light breeze.

Valedictorian Brinnley Beech, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brett Beech of Roaring Spring, is headed to West Virginia University to study aerospace engineering.

In her speech, Beech told her fellow graduates that they will be faced with challenges as they “venture out of your comfort zones” following graduation. Beech defined success as “fulfillment of your potential” and told the Class of 2024 that “success will not be easy. There is no short circuit.” Class members should expect some failures in life, but urged a positive attitude.

“You can allow failure to dictate all you do or you can leave it in your past,” she suggested.

When faced with difficulty or failure, Beech urged her fellow graduates to “embrace the failure and rely on others.” She reminded the graduates that they will not be “alone in the journey to success. There will always be others to help along the way,” providing the example of family, friends and teachers.

“I wish you all happiness in life,” Beech said.

She closed with a quote from poet Walt Whitman: “Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.”

Other student speakers

Elana Decker, the class president, chose the quote, “Dare to be different, live your own life, and follow your dreams” for the Class of 2024’s motto. She said that she decided on the motto because there is not one thing that stands out to her about the graduating class; everyone in her class is different from each other.

“You will stand up for what you believe, you won’t allow anyone to change who you are, and most importantly, you will be proud of what you’re made of,” she said.

Growing up in a small town, it may be hard to be your own person, but that did not affect the Class of 2024, Decker said. More than 140 independent thinkers that bring their own opinions into the world are graduating, and she said that she is proud to be a part of it.

The CHS Class of 2024’s salutatorian is Mary Grill. She thanked her fellow seniors for the relationships and fun, and she also thanked the adults for their support.

For the Class of 2024, she told them that whatever they do in life, they must master their craft. She said, “It’s the quality of your work which matters in the end.” With passion, there will be endless opportunities.

She urged them to not be sucked into a meaningless lifestyle; live a life that is worth it. Although this is the end of their childhood, it is the beginning of something even greater.

Administration speakers

CHS Principal Stephanie Thompson said that the Class of 2024 was able to “strive with determination and perseverance.”

Principal Thompson told the crowd that this year’s graduating class had provided around 5,600 hours of community service, more projects than ever before, and included assistance to churches, fire departments, food drives and animal welfare. Thompson said that the class had handled the challenges of the COVID-19 years very well and was the “chillest class” in Spring Cove history.

She concluded her speech by saying this group of students was “just lovely people” and that this is the “most caring, compassionate and humble class to graduate from Central High School.”

District Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker said that the Class of 2024’s achievements showed the value of the “gift of a quality public education.”

Dr. Baker said that she consulted the district’s kindergarten class for words of wisdom to share with the graduates and offered some of the humorous but sincere responses that she received.

Kindergartners advised those graduates headed for college to “always do your homework” and “do not run around the classroom.”

Those headed for military service were advised to “follow the rules” and do “at least seven minutes of jumping jacks a day.”

Those headed straight into the workforce were advised, “don’t be lazy,” and those graduates who were still undecided on their immediate future plans were advised to “eat a lot,” “be kind,” “clean up your toys,” “make good choices,” and “remember to say thank you.”