Trion City Schools is a system filled with rich traditions and unwavering community support; that doesn’t change, even when in the midst of a global pandemic.
On Friday, July 31, after several months of non-stop planning, rescheduling and hoping for the best, Trion City Schools honored their class of 2020 by hosting an in-person graduation ceremony at Sam R. McCain Stadium.
Despite rain in the forecast, Trion faculty and staff saw the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and sent these seniors out with a bang by giving them a ceremony they would never forget.
“We had to cancel school abruptly back in March, leaving us unsure of the fate of our senior class, and wondering whether or not they would get the celebration and recognition they deserve,” explained Bryan Edge, Principal at Trion High School. “We hosted a drive-through community parade for them back in early June and most of the seniors who participated expressed their desire for a true graduation ceremony. We knew then that, if it was at all possible, we were going to do everything we could to host a ceremony.”
While many other school systems opted for virtual or drive-through ceremonies, the staff at TCS knew how important and momentous walking across the stage was for not only for their students, but for their families as well.
“We felt that it was important to host an in-person graduation because this accomplishment is a major life milestone,” said Edge. “It is one of the things that our students and their families really look forward to. It means something to them.”
Dr. Phil Williams, Trion City Schools Superintendent, echoed these sentiments as he was busy drying off chairs for the graduates waiting to take their seats on the field. “We are committed to these students. They have been committed to us for 13 years, so hosting an in-person ceremony was something we felt like we had to do.”
Dr. Phil Williams Superintendent Randy Henderson Board Chair Kari Maddux Vice Chair Members Johnny Brimer Darriel Broome Jeff Maddux
Preparing for and hosting the ceremony was a feat in itself, but making sure students, their families and others attending stayed safe was a huge priority for faculty and staff members working with TCS.
“We tried to be diligent in making sure we released information to families so they could plan their visit ahead. We did not limit attendance but made sure to communicate that all families should arrive together, sit together, and socially distance themselves from other families. We also recommended that everyone wear masks.
“In an effort to try and limit our crowd, we offered a livestream of the entire event for those who are part of a high-risk demographic, or for members of our community who simply wanted to support our graduates. This was a way to watch from home,” said Edge.
Holding the ceremony at Trion’s football field was another way to ensure proper social distancing among graduates and attendees.
“In the late ’70s, graduation for Trion was held on the football field. I graduated in 1985 and we had our ceremony at the old recreation center in town, and typically, we host graduation in the gymnasium on the hill. A lot has changed over the years, but for this group of seniors, we wanted to do something special. A return to old traditions felt like the best fit. And who knows, this may be a new tradition for years to come,” Dr. Williams said.
Families of graduates, community members and past Trion alum packed the stands of Sam R. McCain Stadium on Friday night as graduates met at the high school gymnasium for the historic group photo. Graduates then made their way to the stadium where they lined up, single-file, behind the bleachers as they prepared to take their designated seats, spaced six-feet-apart, on the football field.
The ceremony began with Trion High graduate Shelby Carlock, leading the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a heartfelt welcome from Principal Bryan Edge.
Savannah Price was the first of three speakers to take the stand. Her speech was about past years spent walking the halls of TCS, and how much things have changed.
“It was so bittersweet to me,” smiled Price. “My speech was about the past, so I was given the chance to look back at all of the things we went through together in elementary and middle school. It hit me that I have been with these people for my entire life. It is so weird because this is the last time that I am going to see a lot of them, and most of my memories are with them.”
When asked about how she felt about getting the opportunity to experience a true ceremony, Price smiled. “It almost still feels like May. It doesn’t feel like the end
of summer at all. But being able to have a formal ceremony definitely brought back the ‘normalcy’ of this chapter ending, which I am grateful for.”
Bryana Whitaker then took the stage to talk about the present and all the senior class triumphs realized over the course of the past few months. “It is such an honor to be speaking tonight, especially considering that we didn’t know if we were going to get to have a graduation ceremony,” said Whitaker.
She continued, “After 13 years, it is weird to say goodbye. Even though we had to wait all summer long, unsure of whether or not we were going to get to have a formal graduation ceremony, it still feels as if it is May 23, 2020 again. It still feels as if it was happening after the last day of school, and not that we are getting ready to begin the next part of our lives in the next few weeks.”
Sophie Harward echoed those same sentiments, “When I initially found out that we wouldn’t be going back to school and that I wouldn’t get to finish my senior year, I cried. It was hard to swallow. But I am grateful that we were at least able to celebrate tonight with everyone, one last time.”
Harward’s speech touched on the future and how the most exciting experiences lay ahead for her and her fellow classmates. “I am just very excited that I got the chance to speak to everybody one final time before we all head off to college, because for some of us, that time is a week away.”
Mary Searels, High School Guidance Counselor and System Test Coordinator, then took the stage to announce the graduates, one-by-one, as they walked across to receive their diplomas.
“This is the end, but a new beginning. We wanted to make it special and something our students and families would remember forever,” smiled Dr. Williams, as he formally announced the 2020 Trion High School graduating class.
Loud bangs and bright colors then filled the sky as the crowd was surprised with a firework show to end the night. As a rainbow of colors exploded over Sam R. McCain Stadium, students filed off the field with smiles that would stay with them for the rest of the weekend.
“It has been hard for these seniors. I don’t think there are any words that I can give them to truly provide any condolences for what they lost. I cannot give it all back. What I have tried to convey to them is that, like anything in life, there are going to be hard points— but you have a choice. You can let it be something that totally disrupts you and brings you down, or you can let it be something that you learn from and helps to lift you up. I hope in my conversations with them, they realize that this year has been about understanding the importance of right now, because you never know when your now is going to be cut short,” said Edge.
“I want to say a big thank you to our community for wrapping their arms around our children during this time of uncertainty,” added Dr. Williams. “I absolutely love this community and I love these kids—there is no better community than what we have in Trion, Georgia, and it’s because we do the extra things. Our parents recognize it, they want to be a part of it, they want to help. We are a true family here and we are going to do what is needed to make sure these students will be successful adults.
“No matter what you face in life,” Dr. Williams said in closing, “you can overcome it. All you need to do is make sure you stay focused; make sure you realize every choice you make has consequences. Congratulations, graduates! I know each and every one of you will go out and make a difference in the world, no matter what you do.”
Go Bulldogs!
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