Every year, select senior students prepare a speech to say to their fellow classmates before they graduate. During the 2024-2025 school year, students Erica Feith (12), Keith Nolan (12), and Jackson Anderson (12) spoke at Fair Grove’s Graduation Ceremony at High Street Baptist Church.
In order to speak at graduation, senior students must audition by sending a video of their speech to a committee of teachers staff. The committee then votes on which three students will speak at graduation.
Though writing these speeches could be difficult, one of the speakers, Nolan, had stated that there wasn’t anything that he wanted to change about his speech after it was written.
Something that is very special during these speeches is the gratitude and the thought that goes into them. Again, Nolan stated that one of his absolute favorite things about his speech is where he starts to thank everyone. He also said that he wanted to thank everyone because he was super grateful to have these opportunities.
Along with Nolan, another person that spoke at the graduation was Stephanie Brown. She is one of the art teachers at Fair Grove High School. During her speech at graduation, there were many mentions of memories and the great times that she had with the seniors.
Brown stated, “I have been lucky enough to stand beside you through some of your brightest, unforgettable moments.” She also said that she, along with all of the other faculty members, were happy and lucky to have watched the senior class grow and succeed at the rate that they did.
Another thing she said during her speech was about the times that she remembers from her students. Times where she helps them through breakups, new beginnings, face failures, and students just going through a hard time.
Continuing the speech after Brown, Christian Overstreet, high school principal, finished up the speeches at the Fair Grove graduation.
He explained to the crowd that he was extremely proud of the students in the 2025 class. Talking about how they will permanently leave a mark on Fair Grove and how the faculty members will remember them for years to come.
Overstreet also talked about all of the growth and accomplishments that the students have made. Talking about the five state championships that were won by this class, records that were broken, and the academic achievements that the students have also accomplished.
Though the 2025 students have graduated, the speeches that were given at graduation will help leave the impactful mark that the class has left on the school district and the town of Fair Grove.
