After a unique final year at Apollo High School, roughly 300 students celebrated their graduation in front of a packed Eagle Stadium. Messages from speakers encouraged the graduates to go forth with integrity and determination as they set their sights high.
“The way the year started, none of us knew that we’d even be here (celebrating graduation like this),” Principal Rick Lasley said prior to the ceremony. “The class of 2021 has learned so much — just to be resilient and getting through times like this.”
His messages to the students was simple.
“Don’t ever give up hope,” he said. “The last 15 months, we’ve seen some horrible things — a lot of hate, the pandemic — but each one of them that are here tonight have endured and took matters into their own hands. Always stay strong and positive, and good things will come.”
Lasley also introduced Apollo’s 2021 Honor Graduate, Lily Kate Martin. The Honor Graduate is selected by faculty, with Lasley saying the “student must display character, be in the top 20% of the class, be involved in school and community activities.” He said Martin was the “most positive, caring and leader among leaders.”
While Martin hit the highlights of their time together, she also talked about what the future has in store for her classmates.
“We’ve experienced the last 12-plus years together. This next chapter is one we’ll have to conquer on our own,” she said. “I’m confident in the talent and determination of my classmates that we’ll move on to do extraordinary things.”
Daviess County Public Schools Superintendent Matt Robbins noted that this year’s theme was “better together.”
“For the past 13 years, our district has been better because of you,” he told the graduates. “Our hope is that we, along with your family and friends, have given you everything you will need to develop into everything you hope to become.”
Robbins said he hoped the students look back fondly on their time at Apollo but also carry forward the skills and knowledge they learned as they strive for success.
He said most importantly, they need to build a foundation on integrity and treating people correctly.
“Throughout life, there will be times you’ll have the opportunity to take shortcuts in relationships,” he said. “If you haven’t already done so, I hope you will decide very early in your life who you want to be. I hope you say you want to be a person of integrity, a person who keeps their promises, someone who does the right thing even when no one is looking.”
