Cougars proud of Class of 2010s success, future prospects
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on June 13, 2010 1:50 AM
Goldsboro High School's 123 graduates walked onto the football field Friday night as seniors and walked off it ready to conquer their next challenges as adults.
Principal of curriculum Patricia Burden welcomed parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles and friends who came to pay their respects to the graduates for the outstanding work they had done over the past 12 years.
"They are going out into the community on a new journey," she said. "They have challenges in front of them. This is not the time for us to lead them, but to support them any way we can."
Valedictorian Lakiyah Campbell acknowledged her school -- Goldsboro High "has helped me to mature and become a better person in life," she said.
She encouraged her fellow graduates to reach for the stars.
"Never give up on your dreams," she said. "It's not an issue of where you came from, but where you're going. Remember the sky is the limit."
Salutatorian Charnice Taylor urged her classmates to continue to be the best of friends as some go on to college while others join the military or take whatever path life has in store for them.
"We have shared good and bad times, but we were always there for each other," she said. "This will probably be the last time that we will all be together in one place. So we need to cherish this moment.
"Many of us are happy, anxious and a little scared about moving on with our future goals. I have faith that we will all be successful. This is only the beginning of the rest of our lives."
After the tassel ceremony, hats flew into the air.
Davin Powell said he was ready for this day to come when he started high school four years ago. "It feels real good," he said. "I'm just ready to go on to college and better myself."
He will move on to Livingstone University, where he will study graphic art and design.
His advice to future graduates: "Study, make sure you do your work, don't miss any assignments. And any extra credit work you get, do it."
Powell admits it wasn't easy getting to his graduation day, but it was definitely worth it.
Elaine Gray echoed that sentiment. "It's been a struggle," she said, "but truly grace is mercy."
Working hard got her to this day.
Now she is off to the Army -- where she hopes to find a career and will get help paying for her college education.
"The most important thing that got me to this point was working hard," Miss Gray said.
"Stay in the race and don't give up," is what she advises those who are still looking forward to their big day.
When Christopher Gray turned his tassel, he felt honored.
"I've been through a lot in my life, but to still be able to say I've graduated, I just feel real good," he said. "I had to deal with moving and family problems and just sometimes being hardheaded. But I'm just glad I got through it."
He will be off to East Carolina University for a four-year degree, then to physical therapy school.
He advises those he's leaving behind at Goldsboro High School to "stick with it. Don't let things that happen in your past determine your future."