Photos courtesy of Gail Conner at camerachik.smugmug.com. Additional photos will be available for order at her site. – KtE

The Rockmart High School Class of 2021 ended their night later than expected, but with fanfare and fireworks to celebrate their final day as students in the Polk School District.

Not even thunderstorms could keep graduation from happening, though delays due to the weather lasted hours and required seniors to huddle in the gym before coming out onto the football field to hear from fellow students and administrators before receiving their diplomas on Friday night.

Valedictorian Lauren Allred and Salutatorian Andrew Lumpkin addressed classmates during the late evening ceremonies before they earned their diploma.

Lumpkin gave some good advice to his classmates good pieces of advice, among them reminding graduates to call their parents once they’ve left home. His best piece of advice was to remind the class to strive to do what is right.

“No matter what life throws at you, always believe in heroes,” he said. “And just like (superheroes,) fight for what is good and right. In fact, strive to be the good that’s found in the world, because you might be the hero that someone else lives up to.”

Allred in her address told classmates that despite all they went through over the past years, and celebrated “one of the most decorated classes in school history.”

She praised the academic and athletic achievements of the Class of 2021, including senior athletes who have taken home 24 region titles during their time in school and 12 final four appearances in athletic competition. She also offered thanks to the community that has supported the class and their accomplishments over the past four years.

“While it is important to remember the past, I know many of us are excited for the future,” Allred said. “As seniors, looking forward to what is to come is inevitable as we figure out what we’re going to do with our lives. Knowing everything this class has accomplished over the past four years, even through one of the most difficult years we’ve ever had in school, I’m confident that we will continue to carry our growing drive and dedication into our next adventures.”

Here’s the full graduation livestream from Rockmart High School’s Facebook page.

Congratulations to the graduates of the Class of 2021! Find this year’s graduation section available here.



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