This is the fifth entry in the Class of 2024 series.
LaCandyce Lee earned the honor of making two speeches Friday night.
The senior class president welcomed friends and family to the Watson Chapel High School graduation at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. After the valediction from Bethany Phillips, Lee delivered the salutatory address.
“It has been a journey,” she said. “Can we all say ‘journey?'”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The journey of the Class of 2024 had an ominous start. At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, the students had to navigate learning away from a classroom and through a computer at times, all while trying to stay safe not only from a then-novel disease but the threat of violence in the community.
They were freshmen when, on March 1, 2021, one of their classmates, Daylon Burnett, was shot on campus between classes. Burnett died two days later.
His family, along with those of Melvin Sanders III, Ja’Shawn Craig and Tyler Thornton, were honored on a night when the young men otherwise would receive their diplomas with their fellow Wildcats.
“What I remember most about this class is the resiliency,” said Kerri McNeal, school improvement specialist for the Watson Chapel School District.
McNeal detailed how resilience paid off. The class of 142 earned military and academic scholarships totaling $1.9 million, with Taylor Williams and Herschel Marcus each receiving four-year military commitments worth $70,000 each and Phillips receiving $250,000 in academic scholarships, just to name a few. Fourteen graduates made up the second finishing class of the Wildcat Welding Academy, earning employment opportunities from Central Moloney Inc.
Phillips, who earned a 4.2 grade-point average, shared Joshua 1:9 for her message of inspiration: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
The 142-member senior class at Watson Chapel High School earned military and academic scholarships totaling $1.9 million. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Henry Webb, who is retiring as Watson Chapel’s principal, introduces the platform guests. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Taniah Logan offers the invocation as the Watson Chapel Wildcat is displayed on the podium. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Taylor Williams received a four-year, $70,000 military scholarship. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Best friends and family members of Watson Chapel graduates showed their support. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Armon Leavy receives his diploma from Watson Chapel School District Board President Goldie Whitaker as Superintendent Tom Wilson looks on. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)