WWW.MERIDIANSTAR.COM • NEWTON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL • GRADUATION 2020 • 63
HESTON HARRISON
Salutatorian
Before I start, there are some people that I need to
recognize. First, I need to say thank you to God because
I would not have earned this achievement without Him.
Next, I need to say thank you to my parents. They not only
provide me with everything that I need but go above and
beyond to give me everything I want. Last, but certainly
not least, I need to thank most of my teachers. Thank you
to the ones who pushed me to do the best of my ability.
In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “We must
accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite
hope.” The class of 2020 is graduating in the midst of an
international pandemic. We always knew that graduation
would be bittersweet, but we never expected that bitter
would be the dominant emotion. This is an especially
disappointing set of circumstances. We are completely
aware of the severity of the COVID-19 situation. We
understand the terrible and enumerable losses that people
across America and the world have suffered. However, we
are validated in our feelings of anger and disappointment;
because no matter how minor it might seem, this is one
of our losses, and it is not a small one. Many of us have
dreamed of our graduation day ever since elementary
school. We have watched our siblings, cousins, and
friends make the celebratory march onto the football field
and across the stage to show that their academic journey
through high school had ended in success. We stared in
amazement as the hundreds of caps soared in unison into
the stadium-light filled night sky, and we stormed onto
the field after the ceremony to congratulate our loved
ones. We know that presently a traditional graduation
ceremony is out of the question. However, we understand
the decisions are in administration, and at present this is
our reality. We have accepted finite disappointment.
So, let us look to the past and reminisce. Let us not think about the experiences and opportunities we missed out on,
but instead, we should treasure the ones we did get. Starting in elementary school, let’s think about “cougar buck” reward
days and singing the “Friday Song” at the end of every week. Let’s remember our favorite teachers and Mr. Lindsley always
smiling on the sidewalk. Let’s think about field trips and going to EC for the “Turkey Trot.” Moving up to middle school, let’s
remember hanging out at break and having sweet tea at lunch sometimes. We definitely can’t forget about the phase of
blacklights in almost every classroom. At last, we’ve reached high school. So many things have happened in the last four years,
but I only have time to cover a few. Let’s start with an infamous, unnamed student teacher we can’t forget as much as we wish
we could. Let’s remember Mrs. Cain’s operatic happy birthdays and Mrs. Lanier’s inability to speak in a normal tone. Let’s think
about how great the days were when there were chicken biscuits on the breakfast cart. Let’s not think about something being
taken away once a month because it was a privilege not a right. All the way up to now, our class has drawn the shortest straw
on a multitude of different things, but we have fought and complained like crazy for what we believe in. Although sometimes
it felt like it was never going to end, we never lost hope, and we made it. I am truly proud to be part of this graduating class.
Maybe we could have had a more normal ceremony at some point, or maybe our administrators made the best decision. We
can’t know that right now, but hindsight is always 20/20.
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