Dave’s World
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
DAVE’S WORLD
By David Howell
It was a joyous time watching the 63 members of the Water Valley High School Class of 2022 receive their diplomas, turning the page for the next chapter in their life Thursday night. The stadium was packed as family and friends looked on proudly, the graduates had prevailed. A tough and resilient class also defined as caring and respectful.
Two statements resonated with me that night, although I didn’t realize it at the time. Salutatorian Sydney Epes shared that graduation wasn’t goodbye, but see you later. And valedictorian Scott Hamilton’s wisdom – the students had been provided the tools to go out and make their mark on the world.
Saturday night I attended a barbecue hosted by one of my classmates from South Panola High School Class of 1993. There were five us of from my class attending, along with others from earlier and later classes. Sadly we reflected that our paths had not crossed as often as we would have liked. We also clicked off names of classmates and realized we had not seen some since our graduation night – May 28, 1993. Ironically the barbecue was exactly 29 years to the day from when we received our diplomas. There was also a somber remembrance of our class members who are no longer with us – we had lost more than we realized.
Our class was large, over 200 graduates, and we thought we were close-knit. But after a successful 10 year-reunion, efforts to have a 20-year reunion and a 25-year reunion were not successful. The five of us vowed to make sure there was a reunion next year for our 30th.
There was also a consensus during the barbecue that we could have worked a little harder while we were in school – both high school and college. As Scott Hamilton shared, we were provided the tools to succeed in life.
But twenty-nine years later, we admitted that some of us had not utilized those tools as we should. It was ironic as we reflected on trying to instill that message into our kids years later. It was also a little comical to learn that the kids from the five of us ranged in age from 27 to three years-old. Mine was the oldest, and now I am blessed with grandchildren.
Like every class, there were always the strong achievers, the middle-of-the-road bunch and the underachievers. I was a middle-of-the-road student, working hard enough to get by with an occasional exception that could go either way.
The talk turned to the accomplishments of members of our class, and we reflected on how strong our group was. It hit me, no wonder I wasn’t at the top of my class. There were just too many smart people.
On a serious note, my advice to the latests graduates is to stay in contact. And the years will pass fast!
