After on-and-off rain much of Saturday, skies cleared late in the afternoon to allow another stellar class of Union City High School graduates to have their day in the sun.
Packed stands of adoring family members and friends at War Memorial Stadium proudly supported the 78 graduates of the Class of 2024 in ceremonies at War Memorial Stadium.
Valedictorian Marlee Theobald and Salutatorian Molly Kizer delivered eloquent and heartfelt speeches, reflecting on the class’s educational journey. Both scholars thanked God, reminisced, and offered sincere thanks to those who’d assisted them personally and collectively before turning their attention to the future.
“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the people who helped us get here,” said Theobald, who headlined a class that earned scholarship offers of nearly $3.5-million and performed more than 2,200 community service hours. “It is up to us now to take advantage of what God has given us. That’s how we pay our debt of gratitude.”
Kizer began her speech by thanking family, then said: “Success looks different for everyone. I will never forget the obstacles we’ve faced, nor what we’ve achieved.
Both young ladies concluded their speeches with the trademark phrase ‘Go Tornadoes!’
Class President Jermyia Bonds welcomed guests and offered prayer to begin the ceremonies after the traditional Pomp and Circumstance processional.
Bonds offered encouragement to her classmates, saying: “May our future be as bright as our dreams.”
After speeches by Kizer and Theobald, Principal Jacob Cross then recognized the Top-10 students academically from the class and read a lengthy list of accomplishments of the collective group.
The remainder of the class Top-10 included Sarah Del Valle, Lucas Greer, Shelby Bondurant, Ella Palmer, Joseph Lattus, Emily Hammond, Bailey Wagoner, and Drew Smothers.
Collectively, the group has continued its storied commitment to the excellence of Union City Schools.
Fifty-nine percent of the graduates qualified for the HOPE Scholarship, with half the class planning to attend a four-year college.
There are 13 graduates of the prestigious Union City High School College Preparatory Magnet School, and those students average 29.23 on the ACT.
Seven class members scored 30 or higher on the ACT, with the average mark of the group on the ACT 21.31.
There were eight Distinction graduates, 13 BETA graduates, 16 Tennessee Scholars, and 20 Honors graduates.
The class was recognized as a National School of Merit and among the U.S. News and World Reports as a top high school in the nation in all four of its years.
“You’ve maintained the ‘No Excuses’ attitude we embody at Union City Schools,” Cross said.
Another 16 percent of the class will continue their educational journey on the community college level, with 15 percent attending a vocational-technical school. The class will send 14 percent of its graduates immediately into the workforce, with five percent opting for military opportunities.
School board members Cathy Waggoner, Rev. Curtis McLendon and Bedford Dunavant presented diplomas prior to Director of Schools accepting the class and declaring them official graduates.
The traditional singing of the school’s alma mater concluded the ceremonies.
