More than $30 million in scholarships for 478 Bearden graduates
“This isn’t exactly how I pictured how I would be delivering my speech to you,” senior
committee president Benjamin Cruze said.
“The school’s abrupt ending resulted in us potentially never again seeing some of our closest friends and favorite teachers,” senior class president Hanna Patton said. “... Thankfully, our Bearden administration worked tirelessly to give us the graduation ceremony after all.”
“I know we are very thankful we are able to gather together one last time to celebrate the great Class of 2020 and your accomplishments,” principal Deborah Sayers said, describing them as “the most unique class of graduates.
“... Right now, sitting in this stadium, it might not be clear how your future will unfold …(but) I would say the last few months have prepared you,” she added.
Sayers shared tennis champion
Arthur Ash’s philosophy: “Start where you are, use what you have and do what you can.”
“Seniors, as we leave this football field tonight, we’re opening ourselves up to new opportunities and a new future … they represent the next step to our new reality,” Patton said.
“So, rather than focusing on the unfortunate events leading up to this moment, let’s instead focus on our next steps and begin our futures tonight,” she added.
“To be successful and leave a legacy, we must not be willing to escape in quiet complacency,” valedictorian Samaya Baljepally said in her address. “Instead, strive each day to move forward. Greatness comes from the greater adventure of the unknown.”
Salutatorian Parker Martz, in his speech, compared a dream to an animal chasing a buck. “Your dream is that buck,” he said. “Once you’ve found that dream, don’t ever let it go … we are built for the chase.”
Awards, other recognition
Class of 2020 also left a legacy of
accomplishments, as listed by Roderick Crockett, BHS assistant principal:
102 seniors earned a 4.0 grade-point average or better, and the class received more than $30 million in total scholarships.
“Over the course of their time at Bearden High School, these seniors performed 18,933 hours of community service,” he added, noting that averages 21 hours per student.
Additionally, Student Government Association president Abigail Ramsey presented BHS guidance counselor Beverly Anderson with the Alumni of the Year Award.
For each senior to achieve his or her individual goal, she urged, “Never settle.
She also urged seniors to make connections and memories throughout their lives.
For senior classes to leave a legacy, every year the senior committee decides on and raises money to fund a senior gift to Bearden High, “something to leave behind as a legacy,” Cruze said.
This year, the committee decided to raise funds to install a covered walkway outside the door special education students enter, allowing students to stay dry.
Unfortunately, Cruze said fundraising efforts were postponed because of the pandemic, “hopefully leaving it to the Class of 2021 to finish.
“We look forward to seeing this project completed after the pandemic passes,” he added.
Still, Cruze said seniors are moving forward to new, exciting experiences with a “Bearden Bulldog heritage of “leadership and a passion for learning.”
Class of 2020 also left a legacy of accomplishments, as Roderick Crockett, BHS assistant principal for the seniors listed its accomplishments: 102 seniors earned a 4.0 grade-point average or better, and the class received more than $30 million in total scholarships.
“Over the course of their time at Bearden High School, these seniors performed 18,933 hours of community service,” he said, noting that averages 21 hours per student.
Additionally, Student Government Association president Abigail Ramsey presented BHS guidance counselor with the Alumni of the Year Award.
