The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

The class of the 2021 Graduation Ceremony was held on May 23, 2021, at two o'clock at the Big Sandy High School gymnasium. The gym was full, and I heard so many say it was good to get back to the tradition of graduation. Last year only family could attend, and it was outside on the football field. It was a beautiful day, but because of that, the slide show could not be seen. This year the ceremony was like all others before.

This graduation felt like a warm sweater, something warm, something comfortable. The seniors walked into the gym to Melanie Schwarzbach playing Pomp and Circumstance and found their seat on the stage facing their family and friends, which was what felt so good. Friends could be there.

The Senior choir members sang "Fly Away." A beautiful song is sung in three-part harmony, with Melanie Schwarzbach accompany them on the piano.

During Jozlyn Baumann's speech as salutatorian, she centered on memories of her class. Commenting, she would leave the inspirational speech up to Katherine Bold.

Katherine Bold, the class valedictorian, did have an inspirational speech where she encouraged her classmates to strive for their best.

The class asked Tucker Taylor, history teacher, and coach, to be their guest speaker. He ended his speech by saying motivation isn't what gets things done; discipline is. He encouraged the class to be disciplined as they approached the next phase of their lives.

There were 15 graduates, and each one had a slide show, saying what they were going to do next and a favorite quote. Each one played one of their favorite songs, followed by pictures of them as a small child and various images up to their senior picture. They then each said something to their family and friends.

Diplomas were handed out, and the tradition of moving the tassel from one side to the other was completed. Melanie Schwarzbach introduced the Graduating class of 2021, and they picked up their caps and threw them into the air.