PCHS graduation a 'milestone' for Class of 2024
May 20—Some may be filled with hope, others with a little bit of trepidation, but all can say they have accomplished one of life's greatest feats — graduating high school.
On Saturday, nearly 300 Pulaski County High School seniors took that step — and accepted that piece of paper — that declares them graduates of the class of 2024.
It is a class that earned "millions of dollars" in college scholarships, but also built up a career readiness that will help them find their place in the world outside of school life.
As PCHS Principal Kevin Cook told the crowd, "Today is an important day in your lives. It is a milestone, a time of reflection, a time of celebration. It is a day that signifies a door closing on your childhood, and the beginning of your adult lives. For parents, family and friends, it is a day of incredible pride."
Noting that the students have gone through struggles and challenges, not the least of which was beginning their high school careers during a global pandemic, Cook told the former students,"You have also had many triumphs and great achievements."
Not only did they lead the school to "numerous championships" outside of the classroom, they also flourished in the classroom, Cook said, even through the pandemic. PCHS was one of only two schools in the state that the Kentucky Department of Education named as a Hub High School, he said, meaning a school that has worked to improve student learning and improve career and college readiness among its students.
"For your efforts, we thank you," Cook said.
Class President Ana Muse began her speech by paying tribute to a classmate who is no longer with them: Andrew Dodson.
His death in April 2023 after an accident during a scrimmage football game "came as a shock to us all, as losing someone so young is something that no one ever expects to happen, especially not when you yourself are young," Muse said.
"From that moment forward, I believe everyone's perspective on life was forever changed. For me, personally, I realized that this life is not guaranteed. But more than that, I came to understand just how precious we are to each other," she said.
Muse noted that the classmates with her during graduation will always remember each other as the young version of themselves.
"In our futures, we will chase our largest dreams and make new connections that go far beyond the walls of Pulaski County High School. One of these days, this will all become a distant memory. ... We will remember each other forever as we are sitting here now, young and full of hope for the future. To one another, we will be frozen in time as the teenage versions of ourselves who have filled these halls for the last four years. We will remember the moments, both good and bad, despite the fact that we will experience much higher highs and lower lows."
As part of the ceremony, the Pulaski County High School choir sang Regina Spektor's "The Call," reminding graduates that "You'll come back when they call you. No need to say goodbye."
The PCHS class of 2024 saw around 29 graduate with High Distinction (a GPA of 4.0), 54 graduate with Distinction (a GPA between 3.5 and 3.9), and 47 graduate with Advanced Diplomas.
Carla Slavey can be reached at cslavey@somerset-kentucky.com
