Southside High School’s Class of 2019 gathered one more time as high school students before grabbing their diplomas and heading off for adulthood.
The graduates sat down to much support as their friends, family and loved ones filled the bleachers of Southside High’s football field.
After an invocation led by Southside’s Air Force JROTC Director Lieutenant Colonel Ruiz, Salutatorian Destiny Davis delivered the Salutatory Address.
Davis’s speech was filled with inside jokes that spurred great response from her classmates as well as an appreciation for all that the Class of 2019 accomplished together.
“Despite all of the disagreements over the years we have achieved a lot together,” said Davis.
Davis also so thanked her parents for instilling in her the importance of education and perseverance.
Before Davis handed over the mike to the Valedictorian she had a few choice words of encouragement for the Class of 2019.
“Be your own biggest fan, your own biggest believer and put it on your back and carry it away. Congratulations Class of 2019, we did it,” she said.
After Davis delivered her Salutatory Address Valedictorian Kyerra Crum took to the podium to give the Valedictory Address.
Crum bid her classmates a fond farewell and quoted famous American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson.
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. Ralph Waldo Emerson spoke theses words, but I hope those words speak to you,” she said. “It is up each of us to decide what type of person we are and want to be and what we will be known for.”
Crum also said that the class will be known as many things, one of which being the class that’s “about getting money”.
Crum was referring to the million dollars in scholarship that the Class of 2019 received.
To close her speech, Crum offered advice to the entering freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors at Southside High.
After Crum’s delivered the Valedictory address, the ceremony’s special guests, The Dallas County Board of Education, were recognized.
Superintendent Hattie Shelton, Assistant Superintendent Vickie Poe, President Leroy Miles, Vice President Mark Story, Mamie Solomon and William Minor were all thanked for their support.
Afterwards, the class of 2019 received their diplomas to much applause.