For FCHS graduates ... another milestone reached

Franklin County High School’s Class of 2022 took part in commencement exercises on Friday, May 20 at Louie Mullins Memorial Stadium in Meadville with 74 seniors receiving their diplomas in the 45-minute gathering.

FCHS Principal Lisa Storey opened the ceremonies by noting this particular class deserved a great deal of accolades for reaching this point in their lives.

“This is the group which last had a normal school (term) during their freshman year,” Storey said in directing her comments primarily to the coronavirus pandemic.

“During their 10th, 11th and even their 12th grade years, they dealt with things like schedule changes, hybrid learning, testing and all kinds of stressful things, and I want to applaud them for a wonderful senior year.”

Storey went on to praise senior parents for having raised what she described as “phenomenal kids.”

“I stand before you a very blessed woman in many ways — particularly in the time I got to spend with your children,” she continued. “This was truly a great group of kids and I am very proud of what they have accomplished.

“They go out into the world — pretty much tomorrow — and 65 percent of the graduates you see have made a commitment to go to college, whether that be a junior or senior college, and 10 percent have made a commitment to go into the workforce or the military.

“The remainder — if you’re doing the math and that is 25 percent — are undecided, but are committed to being awesome. I am very confident that I will hear wonderful things from all of them.”

Storey expressed her love for the class as the mother of a senior and a principal, but said she would not cry because she shared in the joy felt by the upperclassmen in realizing they had made it to this major milestone.

Salutatorian Olivia Fleming said it was an honor to be standing before her classmates, and expressed her pride in how far the FCHS senior group had come in finishing high school.

“The countless memories we’ve made, the championships fought, tests taken and lives shared have come to an end unfortunately,” she remarked.

“However, I stand here knowing that this class will shed its light on the world in the greatest way possible.”

Fleming said her classmates touched the hearts of so many during their tenure whether they realized it or not, and will be ready to take on the challenges that face them in the future.

“The real world is a frightening place where we will often face discrimination and hardships whether it is in your religion, skin color, social status or anything people try to negatively define you by,” she continued.

“But remember this moment and the pride you are feeling in the happiness welling in your hearts as you finally get hold of this diploma. Use this feeling to conquer all obstacles you encounter and keep pushing forward to pave your way.”

Fleming thanked parents, grandparents and guardians for giving seniors the opportunities necessary to make it to graduation day, and for all those, including teachers and community members, who had left an indelible mark on the lives of the 12th graders.

“Those who will be enlisting, joining the workforce or going to college and everything else in between, I say good luck as you all deserve the best of the best in life,” she added.

“I hope it comes to each and every one of you. Congratulations to the Class of 2022 … we made it.”

Valedictorian Rachel Temple said it was hard to conceive that, with graduation, this event would actually be the last time this particular senior class would come together in its entirety to celebrate such a momentous occasion.

“Most of us here tonight have been together since kindergarten and share many memories that will last a lifetime,” she said.

Temple said the seniors’ high school years together will be ones for the history books and recounted select happenings from ninth grade forward.

“Freshman year was the most normal year we had while still trying to navigate high school … we learned new faces and new places and gained new experiences,” she noted before highlighting the eventual outbreak of COVID-19 that would impact the lives of everyone.

“Sophomore year was a doozy … so we’ll just skip it — kind of like we did school after spring break. But seriously, the most important thing we learned was to cherish our time together. Junior year was a time of adjustment with constantly changing schedules and we learned how to adapt and be flexible.

“Senior year was one that will never be forgotten with many experiences … that put a cherry on top of our time here. We have truly made so many wonderful memories together.”

Temple quoted former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in noting success is not final, failure is not fatal … it is the courage to continue that counts.

“Although we will undeniably face obstacles along the way, we can emerge from these challenges stronger,” she said.

“Job 23:10 says ‘He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.’ I wish my classmates the very best wherever your path leads you.

“For those here tonight, I ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we begin this next chapter in our lives.”

In closing, Temple cited Proverbs 19:20-21 which reads, “Listen to advice and accept instruction so you might grow wise in the future. Many plans are in a person’s mind but the Lord’s purpose will succeed.”

The 2022 FCHS honors graduates, who had held a 90 or better average during their high school tenure, were the first to receive their diplomas from Storey and Superintendent of Education Chris Kent and included: Emilee Grace Ashmore, Brionna Rhayne Atterberry, Alison Kate Bolt, Kayleigh Sheldyn Bolt, Lainey Grace Brewer, Olivia Simmone Chance, Nyla Joné Clark-Smith, Abby Claire Ellzey, Hailey Elizabeth Emfinger, Olivia Claire Fleming, Kamea Mele Foster, Sean Duncan Godwin, Grace Susan Goff, Ja’Marlin Markel Green, Gabriel Robert Griffin, Ja’Sharreah Aniya Hunt, Klinton Rawls Johnson, Morgan Baylee Laird, La’Mechdra MyChell Morgan, Ashlynn Elizabeth O’Quinn, Kiele Anela Powell, Anna Madalyn Storey, Rachel Wren Temple, Madyson Torreannah Thomas, Addison Lorraine Touchstone, Rylei McKenna Turner and Harley Kate Zeigler.
Other class members presented with their diplomas were: Shelton Braxton Bailey, Darreille Janeice Bell, Zuccaro Dontrell Blackmore, Colby James Bodden, Ashanti Denica Brown, KiéAshia Nashaé Cameron, Jamal Allen Coleman, Kamryn Jamiyah Day, Nicholas Bryan Elisar, Kennedi Jernai Fleming, JaQuan Terrell Gibson, Kylee Annette Girau, Ka’Darius Jaheim Marcell Griffin, Nathan Dontrell Griffin, Keyara Keuna Hall, James Paul Ham, Iverson Damir Hughes, Alexis La Sira Jackson, Craig Jeremiah Jackson, Victoria Miller Jackson, Kennon Kyle Johnson, Tyler Patrick Macaluso, Parker Kent Marcengill, Kobe Jonté Marshall, Sa’Myria Jaliyah McCoy, Caleibria Jontavious McDonald, Kolbie Jabari Moore, Dayton Neal Murray, Dacey Dakota Neel, Donyea Resaan Ramsey, Jordan Tariq Sanxton, Colton Lane Shaw, Douglas Maleek Smith, Nathaneal Braden Stafford, Skylar Morgan Terrell, Ethan McMillan Touchstone, Gabriel Alexander Touchstone, Jillian Astrid Turner, Jaden Marie Ulmer, Corey Brennan Ward, Stephen Lamar Washington Jr., Anisha Shermanique Weathersby, Tristan Alexander Wheeler, Aniyah Neveah Wilkerson, Amarion Montrell Wilson, Matthew Hunter Wilson and Madison Claire Wroten.

Class of 2022 senior Ja’Marlin Green opened Friday’s ceremonies with a student-led prayer and the FCHS Junior ROTC Drill Team presented the colors for the program in conjunction with the playing of the National Anthem.

Following the conclusion of the presentations, class members went to the center of the football field for the ceremonial tossing of their graduate caps and were joined by family members to conclude the program.