BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Bradford High School Valedictorian Huishan He recognized all those who helped her and her classmates get to where they are today, but also made it a point to acknowledge what she and the members of the Class of 2023 did themselves during her farewell address at the May 19 commencement.
He, who graduated with a 4.54 GPA, began her speech by saying, “It’s amazing to see people I remember back from the simpler middle-school days sitting before me now, who have grown into adulthood well and have accomplished something amazing by finally walking the stage, getting that diploma and graduating.” She then gave thanks to family members, friends, teachers, school administrators and anyone else who helped them reach that “amazing” point in their lives.
“They all contributed to us being here tonight in one way or another,” said He, who will major in Psychology (specializing in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience) and minor in Statistics at the University of Florida. “Individuals helped shape us into the people we are now. Every single one of them left their mark on our souls that we will carry with us for a lifetime.”
He, though, wanted to give herself and her fellow graduates a pat on the back as well for having “dedicated our lives” to earning their diplomas.
“Even with all the support we had, we couldn’t have done it if not for our own dedication to make it to this day,” He said, adding, “We all made sacrifices along the way.”
She and her fellow graduates have been through so much during their time in school, He said, adding that all they went through, be it good or bad, will create the foundation of their futures.
He said saying goodbye isn’t easy, especially when it comes at a time “when many of us will leave all that we’ve known to move forward to a new life.”
“There’s no right or wrong way to step into this new phase of our lives. All that matters is that we put our best into it,” He said, adding, “Life has plans for everyone. I believe we’ll all work hard to play our part in the world and end up where we all want to be.
“To wrap this up, here are some parting words for the graduating class of 2023 from your valedictorian. Never underestimate the value of yourself and always know the importance of not living in ignorance. Seek to be knowledgeable and not be blinded by others. Know your impact on this world and everyone around you. Don’t wait until the last minute. Become a person you can not only simply exist with, but can be fully satisfied with.
“I hope we’ll all make it far in this world and make a good impact on it.”
Salutatorian doesn’t have the answers, but knows who does
Salutatorian Hayden Knight, who graduated with a 4.45 GPA, admitted it was hard to write his speech, noting that that “there’s almost no way to describe the huge life change we’re all about to go through.”
Knight, whose plans are to major in Engineering at UF, said he and his fellow graduates have heard all kinds of advice on how to approach that life change, admitting that it’s confusing. He’s heard to go chase success, but said that’s vague since each person defines success differently. He’s heard that he has a lot of potential and to see where that potential takes him, but he said if one spends their whole life chasing their potential, they miss their life’s purpose.
The piece of advice he’s heard the most is to make money and have fun, but Knight said there has to be more to life than what’s in his bank account.
Knight said it all makes it difficult to answer the big question: What do you want to do with your life?
“I wish I could say I’ve figured it all out, and I have the cheat code for life, and I’m standing up here about to tell you all, but I don’t,” Knight said. “I’m not going to stand up here either and try to give you all advice about things I’ve never experienced, and I have no clue about, so I think I’ll just tell you all what got me through the four years of high school I had here.”
Knight said all he could do was share what got him through high school — the love of Jesus Christ. He said through Jesus, he’s experienced how anxiety can become comfort, how fear can become confidence and how depression can become hope and joy.
“This next chapter of life called adulthood, it’s going be hard,” Knight said. “We’ve got a lot in front of us. We’re probably going to spend most days not knowing what the future holds, so why not put your trust in the one who holds it? Jesus loves you the same way that He loves me. He doesn’t care about your mistakes. He doesn’t care about your past. He doesn’t care about whatever you’ve done. He just wants you as you are. He loves you so much. I promise you.”
Knight expressed his own love for his classmates, saying he would miss them all. He then thanked parents in attendance for sending their children to BHS and being a part of the fun memories, he’ll have of his time in high school.
In closing, Knight said, “It’s bittersweet to say this, but I guess I will. We made it. Enjoy the rest of the ceremony. I love you all.”
Words from principal and superintendent
The commencement began with Class Senator Takeirra Bakken leading the pledge of allegiance, followed by senior Makayla Moore, backed by the BHS band, singing the national anthem. Class Senator Brooklynn Reddish provided the opening prayer.
Principal Angela Tomlinson then spoke, expressing her excitement at being able to share the moment with the graduating seniors. She followed by offering some words of encouragement and advice.
“Tonight, I want you to leave here knowing that the most important thing in your life is to live your life with integrity and to not give in to the peer pressure to try to be something that you’re not. It’s OK to be you and for you to decide what your future will be.”
Tomlinson told graduates to remember that when one door of opportunity closes, another opens.
“All we have to do is to have the courage to walk through it,” she said.
Your life is what you make of it, Tomlinson said, describing it as a story.
“I charge you to be the best author of that story,” Tomlinson said. “What lies behind us, and what lies before us, are small matters compared to what lives within us. Take pride in how far you’ve come, have faith in how far you will go, but don’t forget to enjoy that journey along the way. Try to remember that every person you meet just might know something you don’t know and learn from them. Become more educated.
“Aim high, but be aware that even before you reach your ultimate professional destination, if you always strive for excellence, you can and should have a substantial impact on the world in which you live.”
Tomlinson told graduates they’re about to begin an uncertain but thrilling phase of their lives. They will experience times of success and times of failure, both of which are important. The key, she said, is to stay true to their calling.
“Trust your heart, and success will come to you,” Tomlinson said. “Go confidently int the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined.”
In closing, Tomlinson said, “Fight for the job you want, fight for people who mean the most to you and fight for the kind of world that you want to live in.”
Superintendent of Schools Will Hartley then took his chance to address the graduates. He said he had one question to ask: “What are you doing next?”
“I want you to know it’s OK if you don’t know,” Hartley said. “Learning your purpose here is a journey — a journey that may take you through many different professions, expose you to many different people and, at times, make you question, ‘What exactly am I doing here?’
“Understand that is part of the plan. At every stop on the way, and from every person you meet, you will learn something new about yourself.”
Hartley shared how in his life, he’s been a professional athlete, a teacher, a coach and a real-estate investor before becoming school superintendent.
“Through my journey so far, I’ve learned that I love sports and the positive impact they can have on a young person’s life,” Hartley said. “I’ve learned that learning is lifelong and sharing that knowledge is very rewarding. I’ve learned that I enjoy the pressure and responsibility of being a leader. I’ve learned that I love challenges and taking on tasks that scare me because they make me grow. And I’ve learned that no matter what your job may be, there will never be one that should be more important than your family and the ones you love.
“Only time will tell where your journey will take you and what you will learn about yourself along the way. If you allow every new experience to become an opportunity to grow, the sky will be the limit.”
Class President Gabby Oliver provided the senior class greetings, while Executive Board President Kimber Woods acknowledged faculty and staff. Class Treasurer Masey Padgett shared that the class song was Hannah Montana’s “I’ll Always Remember You,” the class flower was a rose and that the class motto was: “2023 — the class you wish you could be.”
Padgett also recited the class verse, which was Luke 1:37: “For with God, nothing shall be impossible.”
