‘Crazy talented’
FHS Class of 2019 ready to show the world what they can do
Newly-minted Farragut High School graduate Molly Whitener hugs Chloe Young following FHS Commencement Saturday night, May 18, in Thompson-Boling Arena.
Despite a 10-minute delay in getting things started due to weather and traffic difficulties, it was smooth sailing for the 466 graduates and their families.
Also on hand with principal Ryan Siebe and FHS administrators and faculty were Knox County Schools superintendent Bob Thomas, 5th District Board of Education representative Susan Horn and other local dignitaries and elected officials.
Inshira Bediako, one of three commencement speakers who also included Dib Seddighi and Karlyn Simcox, challenged her classmates with the speech, “What Crazy Can Do.”
Bediako said she was inspired by a Nike ad with the tagline “Crazy Female Athletes,” and how it could be modified to apply to the Class of 2019.
‘We ARE crazy,” she said, and described “crazy talented” students who have swept up regional, state and even national awards in fields including drama, forensics, world languages, HOSA, Code TN, athletics, Mu Alpha Theta, Mock Trial and Science Bowl.
‘We may be crazy, but that is what makes us incredible. ... Class of 2019, show them what crazy can do,” she concluded.
Seddighi spoke lightheartedly about senioiritis in her speech, “The Cure,” saying the only cure for that malady is graduating.
Simcox, senior class vice president, discussed “Location versus Place.” She credited FHS teacher Elizabeth Blankenship with her classroom challenge of knowing “location versus place.”
Also introduced was 2019 valedictorian Erica Yang, who will attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and salutatorian Elliot Fang (Rice University).
Joely Gruhn received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Seibe introduced the class by detailing a long list of its accomplishments, including: 97 percent earned some type of scholarship totaling more than $31 million; five perfect ACT scores; 13 National Merit semi-finalists; eight All-State musicians; 109 Advanced Placement Scholars; 27 National AP
Scholars; and a Russian scholar laureate.
