Lake Waccamaw, NC – “No matter what you face in life, never give up on your goals and dreams. Class of 2022, if you set a target, your dreams will become a reality.”
These words of encouragement were part of Thomas Academy Valedictorian Kaylee Skinner’s commencement address during the 2022 Thomas Academy Graduation Ceremony held in early June in the Leamon Rogers Memorial Chapel.
The 17 graduates were surrounded by friends and family as they accepted their diplomas, were recognized for their educational experiences, and received guidance for the future.
“We are here today to celebrate a major milestone in our lives,” Skinner said. “You deserve to be here. We all have worked very hard to be at this point. After today starts a new chapter in our lives. No matter what that next chapter is for you, listen carefully to what I’m here to say. Everybody has dreams or goals, no matter what they might be. You are fully capable of reaching your dreams and goals. If you are determined to get where you want to be you will be amazed at the things you can do. Chasing a dream will not always be easy. You might fall along the way. But falling is not important. What is important is getting back up.”
Student Government Association President Sahnora Maynor shared her reflections on the year’s SGA experience.
“Student government is an opportunity for students to mature and take on new things,” Maynor said. “This year I’m proud to say we took on many initiatives. Thank you to my fellow student government representatives who helped make student government a success this year.”
Salutatorian Piper Hopkins introduced the keynote speaker for the event.
“On behalf of Thomas Academy’s Class of 2022, we would like to welcome Pastor Jason Williams,” Hopkins said. “Pastor Williams has been married to his college love for 21 years and they have 5 children together. Pastor Williams is a very active member in the Bladen County community. He has founded 4 community focused organizations to benefit the area. Pastor Jason holds an Associate Degree in Religion and Church Administration from Fruitland Baptist Bible College. He also has a Bachelor’s in Christian Studies from Liberty University.”
Williams shared his personal testimony as a “high school failure”.
“You see, drugs and alcohol had taken over my life and I have a learning disability,” Williams said.
He then reflected on his thought process after reading the senior superlatives in his high school yearbook.
“I remember thinking in that moment as I read each of those names and each of those descriptions I thought ‘Jason, what are you going to do with your life?’,” he recalled. “I felt like a failure in that moment. But something drastically changed. I went through 12 years of school to receive a certificate, not a diploma.
“Your past is your past,” he continued. “Your future is in the hands of God. It is up to you to submit, and surrender, and trust God for the amazing plans He has in store for you in your life.”
Williams explored the impact of negative self-talk and the importance of having a strong support system. He highlighted one aspect of the Thomas Academy graduation ceremony where members of the faculty and staff share individual remembrances and reflections about each of the graduates.
“Your support system has been there for you,” Williams said. “This faculty, this staff, to listen to what they had to say about you, I wish I’d had that in my school. To hear how personal they were able to speak into your life. Don’t underestimate what you already have. Live up to the potential that God has for you.”
Thomas Academy Principal Dr. Cathy Gantz added her encouragement to the graduates while also referencing the Dr. Seuss classic “Oh the Places You Will Go.”
“Remember that graduation is not an end goal itself,” Gantz said. “It is instead a part of a larger journey of life. Life is a journey and all accomplishments that you achieve should be taken as starting points for further achievement. Graduations should serve as a launching point that can take you to wherever your futures are meant to take you, whether you land yourself in a career, a trade, or continue your education in college or a vocational, technical school. And we don’t have to stop there. This graduation has already shown how capable you are of accomplishing your goals when you commit yourselves to them. I hope all of you here today can take this personal accomplishment as an example of how everything is truly possible when you put your minds to it.”
Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina’s President/CEO Ricky Creech shared his encouragement to the graduates as the Thomas Academy Superintendent.
“It’s my hope and dream that as you leave today as graduates of Thomas Academy you will write the next chapter of your life and it will be one that inspires you to seize opportunities that will lead you to success,” Creech said. “Live your life on purpose. Make your unique mark on the world. Put your footprint somewhere on this earth. Put your thumbprint in someone’s heart. Remember, everything that you see around you that was created, it was created by someone who is no smarter than you.”
About Thomas Academy
Thomas Academy is a North Carolina Public Charter School that educates middle and high school students. Located on the campus of Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina in Lake Waccamaw, the academy provides a tailored academic experience to students who are oftentimes in need of a more specialized, integrated curriculum. Thomas Academy was founded on personalization in education, unique offerings and educating through purposeful design. Enrollment is open to any student in grades six through 12.
