BLADENBORO — The West Bladen Knights celebrated commencement Friday morning with smiles and cheers, and lots of family support.

Jalen Baxley gave the invocation and Alana King sang the national anthem.

“I would like to welcome everyone here for this special occasion,” said Kolby Edwards, the class salutatorian. “Walking into West Bladen on the first day of freshman year none of us knew what path or where we would be in our graduating year. We have all made new friends and lost old friends. We have been through numerous crisis and natural disasters together. We have grown closer with the staff at West Bladen and we have made connections with each other.

“All of us will be attending university or community college, the military or going into the work force. The class of 2019 has been, and always will be, the greatest class to graduate from West Bladen High School.”

Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor also expressed his congratulations.

“We are all proud to say your class has been one of the best to graduate from Bladen County Schools,” he said.

The graduation rate has been over 90 percent, which he said was a record for the school.

“We have had 29 of your classmates receive an associate’s degree along with their high school diploma and a great many of you received college scholarships,” Taylor said. “These efforts on your part show your hard work and the paths that have led to success. I encourage each of you continue your education.”

Principal Peggy Hester welcomed and thanked everyone for coming.

“Class of 2019 we are thankful to have spent the last four years with you,” she said. “As you look back on your time at West Bladen remember you will always be a Knight.

“We are looking forward to the great things that you will do with your lives. Know that we believe in you and Godspeed.”

Callie Lewis delivered the valedictorian’s address.

“Today is a monumental day,” Lewis said. “Today is a day of happiness, of sadness, hope and reflection. Today we realize we will leave this place and we will not come back.”

Lewis said that some did not realize the day before how meaning the day of graduation would become.

“I am excited about going to college, honestly,” said Cali Mers after graduation.

She will be going to UNC Charlotte.

“I’m most excited about meeting new people and the new experiences.”

She said the most impactful thing for her in her time has been her friends and the staff at West Bladen.

“I don’t have to get up early anymore,” said Tatyana White.

Her mom, Theresa White, said that she is proud of her daughter’s accomplishments.

“I am happy,” she said with a giant smile. “This is the last of my three kids. She’s not my baby anymore. But she will always be my baby.

“I’m happy that she’s graduated.”

Emily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Staff, members of the board of education, and supporters lined up in the lobby in preparation for the walk into the gym for graduation.
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_DSC_3380.jpgEmily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Staff, members of the board of education, and supporters lined up in the lobby in preparation for the walk into the gym for graduation.

Emily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
The seniors processed in at 10 a.m. to a full gym including (from left) Rayna Bryan, Anapaula Burga Cupen, Molly Burney, Seven Star Campbell and Eric Canady,
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_DSC_3387.jpgEmily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
The seniors processed in at 10 a.m. to a full gym including (from left) Rayna Bryan, Anapaula Burga Cupen, Molly Burney, Seven Star Campbell and Eric Canady,

Emily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Salutatorian Kolby Edwards shared encouraging words with his fellow students.
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_DSC_3405.jpgEmily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Salutatorian Kolby Edwards shared encouraging words with his fellow students.

Emily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Principal Peggy Hester, Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor, Board of Education Chairman Roger Carroll and Chief Marshal Autumn Brisson watched as the valedictorian, Callie Lewis (not pictured), expressed her thoughts for the graduating class.
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_DSC_3406.jpgEmily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Principal Peggy Hester, Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor, Board of Education Chairman Roger Carroll and Chief Marshal Autumn Brisson watched as the valedictorian, Callie Lewis (not pictured), expressed her thoughts for the graduating class.

Emily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Callie Lewis was valedictorian at West Bladen.
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_DSC_3414.jpgEmily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Callie Lewis was valedictorian at West Bladen.

Emily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Laura Grimes was all smiles with her daughter, Sydney Grimes, after the ceremony.
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Laura Grimes was all smiles with her daughter, Sydney Grimes, after the ceremony.

Emily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Senior Oswaldo Estrada (back row, right) shared the moment with his family. With him are his father Sam and mom Analea, who expressed how proud they were of their son. His youngest sister, Genesis, was held by her father. Marilyn (bottom left) and Joclyn (bottom right) couldn’t stop hugging their brother.
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_DSC_3432.jpgEmily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Senior Oswaldo Estrada (back row, right) shared the moment with his family. With him are his father Sam and mom Analea, who expressed how proud they were of their son. His youngest sister, Genesis, was held by her father. Marilyn (bottom left) and Joclyn (bottom right) couldn’t stop hugging their brother.

Emily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
West Bladen High School’s graduates listened intently to the speeches by the salutatorian and valedictorian.
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_DSC_3416.jpgEmily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
West Bladen High School’s graduates listened intently to the speeches by the salutatorian and valedictorian.

Emily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Graduate Kaylee Thompson spent a tender moment with Dylan Vermillion when the ceremony was finished.
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_DSC_3437.jpgEmily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Graduate Kaylee Thompson spent a tender moment with Dylan Vermillion when the ceremony was finished.

Emily M. Williams

Bladen Journal

Emily M. Williams can be reached at 910-247-9133 or ewilliams@bladenjournal.com.