Senior Vanessa Alvarado accepts her diploma during the 2021 commencement ceremony for Starmount High School.
BOONVILLE — A cool Saturday morning greeted the graduates of Starmount High School in Boonville. The Class of 2021 included 140 graduates. Ninety-seven graduates plan to continue their education at either a two or four-year school, two plan to attend a trade school and 33 graduates will enter the workforce. Two Starmount seniors will join the armed services.
Memories and reflections from the students’ time together since middle school were the theme of the day.
“Everyone said time flies but we didn’t believe them, yet here we are, graduation day, a day we weren’t so sure we’d get to have,” said senior Amanda Brandon, reflecting on the challenges of the past year amid a global pandemic.
“Our bad luck started when they removed sweet tea in sixth grade, and yes, in case you’re wondering, we’re still upset about that,” Brandon said, to laughter from her fellow graduates. “Our struggles have not prevented us from reaching our goals and we must not let the bad out-weight the good. Over the past four years we’ve also made a lot of memories that will last us a lifetime.”
Senior Lincoln Funderburk encouraged his classmates to “find the good” and challenge their way of thinking by flipping the perspective during hard times.
“This life is way to short for any of us to sit around and harp on the negatives,” Funderburk said.
Kitsey Burns Harrison may be reached at 336-258-4035 or follow her on Twitter and Instagram @news_shewrote.