The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – On Saturday, May 20, Karen C. Staunton, principal of Alleghany High School, waited patiently for the crowd to settle before beginning her address to the 40th — and final — graduating Mountaineer class preceding the merging of both high schools next year.
Seemingly emotional, she remained poised as she spoke of their many accomplishments before stating, “I challenge you today. I challenge you to take what you have learned in the halls of Alleghany High School, add to it at your next step and make a difference in the world while being a forever Mountaineer.”
Next to the podium was Kimberly K. Halterman, superintendent, who shared a similar theme about how the graduating class could improve the world around them. “Think about what you can do to make life better. Better for you, better for your friend, better for your family, better for your community; just better.”
As the ceremony continued, several other speakers stepped up to the microphone including Jacob Wright, chair of the Alleghany Highlands School Board; Josh Hagy, English teacher at AHS who playfully introduced salutatorian, Aiden Williams; Susannah Borduas, class president, joined by Vice President Sidney Donnan to present the class gift; and Josh Craft, Callaghan Elementary School principal who introduced valedictorian Sidney Donnan.
During his salutatorian address, Williams smiled as he welcomed guests to the graduation ceremony of the “last of the Mounties,” before going on to discuss the hardships that his class endured, hardships foreign to former and, hopefully, future graduates. “I remember scrolling through Instagram in January of 2020 and catching rumors of some virus spreading from China … It [COVID-19] wasn’t even the only thing. For a while, we were worried about World War III happening.” In addition to “some virus” and the potential onslaught of another world war, these incredible seniors also faced a devastating loss when fellow classmate and friend, Carter Wickline, gained his wings early in the school year. Despite the many struggles faced by the Class of 2023, as Williams himself pointed out, they “did it!”
In her valedictorian speech, before the presentation of diplomas closed out the ceremony, Donnan approached the mic with a big smile on her face. She spoke warmly of her fellow seniors, then remarked, “One of my favorite movies is ‘Tangled.’ In that movie, there’s a song that asks, ‘when will my life begin?’… To answer Rapunzel’s question… I think a big portion of our lives begins today. We all have a chance to write our own stories now.”
To end the festivities, the Alleghany High School band played the AHS fight song one last time. As the band replayed the familiar tune repeatedly, a sea of red graduation gowns exited the field as gracefully as they entered it.
