It was a memorable night on Friday, May 31, for the 142 graduates of the Liberty High School Class of 2024, as they marked the culmination of their high school experiences and embarking on their journeys into adulthood.
Held this year at the Trinity Valley Exposition Center due to inclement weather, the commencement exercises had a few absences as some were attending the State Championship Softball Tournament.
Following a speech by Salutatorian Olivia White, Valedictorian Kirsten Erkins began her speech by expressing an overwhelming sense of gratitude to the Class of 2024 and their families. She highlighted the strong bonds within their class, stating, “We were given the perfect class,” and emphasizing the love they share.
Erskins spoke fondly of their senior sunset dinner and the cherished memories made with a huge round parachute, symbolizing their journey from “shy, immature freshmen, to confident and outgoing seniors.”
She acknowledged the rough start due to the pandemic but praised her classmates for their resilience, noting, “We made it through and somehow managed to mold into a class that is full of smart, talented, and funny students.”
She also shared inspiring words from Hollie Thomas, Miss LHS and catcher for the Lady Panther Softball Team, who was absent due to the State Championship Softball Tournament: “Rather than looking back and feeling upset about closing this chapter, remember that we were blessed enough to get to make the memories and relationships that will never be forgotten.”
All photos with this article were graciously provided by photographer Angel Rick Leal on behalf of Bluebonnet News.
Erskins urged her classmates to strive for continuous improvement rather than perfection, quoting Leslie Calvin Brown: “Practice only makes for improvement.”
She encouraged teachers, parents, and students to foster patience and support, emphasizing that “mistakes must be made in order for the younger generations to improve themselves and eventually become leaders.”
In her acknowledgments, Erskins thanked the Liberty Independent School District faculty, her friends, and her family for their support. She concluded by encouraging her classmates to never stop improving themselves and to seize the limitless resources and opportunities life offers. She ended on a hopeful note, looking forward to the future achievements of her classmates and by quoting their teacher Mrs. Nelson.
“Make smart choices, I wanna see you Monday,” she quoted Nelson as frequently saying to her class.
