Graduates urged to be engaged, know their value

By Mike McClure

Last Thursday night, the 159 members of the Laurel High School class of 2026 received their diplomas during the school’s commencement ceremony. Also there were 35 members of the class of 1976 along with 18 guests.

Valedictorian Fatma Darilmaz told her classmates that even though they took different paths, they all arrived together for their special night. Photo by Mike McClure

“This class introduced me to TikTok,” said Laurel High Principal Trina Giles, who served as Assistant Principal during class members’ fifth-grade year. “Class of 2026, tonight is about shining the light on you.”

Giles reported that the class earned $2.9 million in scholarships. She advised the class to be engaged with choices, goals, and life itself.

“Every decision you make matters,” she said. “Too often people wait for life to happen to them instead of taking ownership.”

Superintendent Dr. Shawn Larrimore spoke to class members about their worth.

“Eventually the voice you listen to will be the life you lead,” said Larrimore.  “At this point forward, voices will compete for your attention.”

“The truth is a lot of people shrink a little bit each day. It’s not because they don’t have value; it’s because they forgot they had value. Too many of us settle beneath our worth,” he added.

“Even standing here today, I still have imposter syndrome,” said Valedictorian Fatma Darilmaz. “Each of us experiences life differently.”

“With all these different paths that brought us here, we all arrived here together,” she said. “We all have a story. Our zip code does not determine our future.”

“For the past four years of high school, every year has felt like a season of Survivor,” said Salutatorian Khloe Shockley. “Success is not about not struggling; it’s about refusing to give up.”

Shockley said that, like on Survivor, alliances are important.

“None of us made it here completely on our own,” Shockley said. “Your belief in us made this moment possible.”

The class presented the school with a picnic table for the outdoor area.