The Freedom High School football stadium was packed full recently when more than 200 seniors bid farewell to their high school careers.

On June 10, as students faced a podium and stage in the middle of the football field, the Freedom High School Band played the National Anthem and Senior Braeden Personius lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

It is the moments like this that we should cherish the most (in how we are) finally being able to walk across this stage after 13 long years of hard work, Personius said. Absorb the joy of the classmates around us and remember the look on our families' faces as they are proud of us.

She spoke of how this graduating class represents many "last moments, including being the last class of the 1990s babies, the last time the class would be together at the same place at the same time and the last class under the watch of Principal Mike Swan.

For some of us, it is the last time we will see each other. But instead of dwelling on the many lasts we may have, think of it as a new opportunity to further our lives beyond Freedom High School, Personius said.

Garret Ward, Student Government Assocation president, shared a few facts about Freedom High School within the last four years: Having the best (advanced placement) scores in the county, having the certified nursing assistant class pass with a 100 percent passing grade for the first time in five years, and the school winning four state championships.

The staff here at Freedom have shown us how to care for others, how to carry ourselves in a professional manner and be successful in what we do, Ward said.

Salutatorian Railey Pitts shared a story about her grandmother to encourage her classmates.

As an individual, my grandmother was exceptional. She was the valedictorian of her class and the first person in her family to go to college and a teacher at Freedom when it first opened, Pitts said. She raised three kids and, knowing my dad, it could not have been easy.

Pitts would spend summers at her grandmothers house, saying it was her home away from home. Her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimers when Pitts was in middle school.

The beautiful, smart (and) funny lady that loved so much was slipping away and, today, her life is far from perfect, she said.

Even though her grandmothers life is worse than most of us sitting here today, she paints the best possible picture even in her bad situation, Pitts said.

Pitts charged her classmates to have the type of spirit that takes each day and lives it to the fullest.

You might find yourself confused or clueless about what to do and there may seem like no light at the end of the tunnel, but instead of getting frustrated or giving up I want you to remember my grandma and just make up your own reality, Pitts said. There will be surprises and bumps in the road, but dont ever give up. And be yourself.

Drew McCracken, valedictorian and Patriot of the Year, spoke to his classmates about obstacles they may face.

Together, we have accomplished many, many things but boy, oh boy, do we have a ways to go, McCracken said. It may not be a whole year from now, but I can promise you that sometime after walking away from this stage today that you are going to encounter bumps and obstacles in the road blocking your way.

He warned his fellow graduates about an acronym GCD, which stands for geometrically constrained disposition.

Friends, do not be square, he said. Despite the very defined and angular hats that sit atop our heads at this moment, do not let this shape define you.

Try to be bad at something and learn from the experience, McCracken said.

Hone down the edges of your comfort zone and round them off and take that leap, he said.

McCracken said a friend shared a quote with him: The point of maximum danger is the point of minimum fear ... it is bliss.

He said he doesn't want his fellow graduates to ever be satisfied with being good enough.

Fellow graduates, I look out this morning and see nothing but thriving potential, McCracken said. Go forth and achieve success, reach goals and arrive at accomplishments. However, dont stop there. Surpass expectations and soar above potential.

After receiving their diplomas, the graduates of Freedom High School faced their families and threw their caps in the air in celebration of reaching this milestone.

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Freedom graduates more than 200 seniors - Morganton News Herald