The 181 members of the DeKalb County High School Class of 2013 received their diplomas Friday evening.
The coveted White Rose Awards were presented to MyKaela Duke and Hunter Collins, and Class President Matt Boss took the 2013 Citizenship Award.
A boy and girl from each senior class are presented a White Rose Award for outstanding achievement and leadership, excellence in academics, and participation in other activities.
A DCHS senior who has demonstrated outstanding service, devotion and loyalty to DeKalb County High School is singled out for the Citizenship Award.
In addressing the crowd at Vanhooser Stadium, Valedictorian Taylor Leach touted the collective efforts made by the Class of 2013
“What if I told you that 1+1 equals 1. Many people say that one is the loneliest number but I'm here to tell you why this statement couldn't be any more inaccurate,” Leach said.
“The senior class of 2013 at DeKalb County High School has many individuals with many unique characteristics. However, we have something that I believe no other class is fortunate enough to have. We have a sense of unity.
“We all have memories from this place that will last a lifetime. We all have friends that may leave but will never be forgotten. No matter where we go from here, we will always have those to remember, and each memory adds to another to form one giant high school experience.
“I just want you to look around at the people sitting in front of, beside, and behind you. This will most likely be the last time you see each and every one of them together. So live it up because the people around you tonight have all combined to make you the one person you are right now. I'm glad that we were all able to work together to form the one and only class of 2013,” the valedictorian shared.
Class President Matt Boss told his fellow graduates that they should strive for excellence in all their endeavors.
“No matter where we go or what we do, there are challenges ahead of us. We need to meet those challenges straight on with an open mind and heart. We must try to excel in everything we do; strive for excellence in every task,” Boss told the assembly.
“Although it may not be easy to see, every accomplishment you achieve is added to the world's accomplishments. Your individual successes benefit society as a whole because when you succeed, you lighten the burden on your fellow man. When you succeed, you are in a position to give rather than take.
“We may not have the power to inspire the entire world to strive for success, but we do have the power to try to achieve it for ourselves. My challenge to each of you is to do all that you can to reach your full potential. The future is truly in our hands, so let's make the most of it. Congratulations to the graduates of the class of 2013,” Boss said.
The event featured a processional and recessional by the DCHS Band, an invocation by Fellowship of Christian Athletes member Cassandra Lester, music by the DCHS Chorus, a special performance by the BETA Group and a Benediction delivered by FCA member Taylor Leach.