By Andrew Edwards
Elmore/Autauga News Staff Writer
Prattville High School Seniors took to the field at Stanley-Jensen Stadium on Thursday night to graduate after a very unusual school year.
Hundreds of Prattville graduates were joined by their friends and family, as the Lion’s stadium remained full for the majority of the ceremony.
PHS Principal Brock Dunn spoke to the students about the challenges they faced this year, and painted a bright picture for each of their futures.
“Obviously this year did not go the way that you envisioned. In your last 12 years, dreaming of all of your senior activities, none of us could have foreseen the things that have happened over the last year and a half,” Dunn said. “However, you guys are sitting here tonight and you rose to the occasion. Twelve and 13 years is a short span in your life. You have many, many more years to make a mark on society, Autauga County, and the City of Prattville.
Alyson Kroft, 2021 PHS Salutatorian, spoke about the people who positively impacted her life while at Prattville High School, and how all graduates should never underestimate the power of being a good influence.
“It makes such a difference when you have just one person who believes in you. Serving as a role model to someone today can open their eyes to a possible future tomorrow. Just supporting somebody on a hard day can have everlasting, positive change in their life. Everyone of you will have that opportunity in your life to be that person to someone,” Kroft said.
2021 Valedictorian Carter Stockman laid out a crucial aspect of life that’s important for graduates to maintain as they make the leap to life after high school.
“Strong relationships are crucial. With the business of life, we can get caught up in the game and forget what is most important to us. We can lose our friends, family and even ourselves if we are not careful. To combat this, we must let go of our anxiety and maintain our focus on the critical aspects of life and become the best people we can. Through relationships we can influence and change people’s lives. We have no purpose without community,” Stockman said.
Stockman also explained that hard work and perseverance are necessary to reach his fellow graduates full potential.
“We shouldn’t stick to our comfort zones, but rather expand our boundaries and turn ‘good enough’ into ‘best,’” Stockman said. “We should hope for the absolute best outcome, no matter what your current situation is. With a true, transformative hope, we can overcome our fears and courageously take our next step in life.”
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