After the processional at the start of the ceremony, Arnetta Bradford sang the national anthem and then followed that with a special song. Her powerful and soulful rendition of “Goodness of God” is an experience that will stop passersby in their tracks on any given day, but the sight of the 500 plus people in the audience rising to their feet to sing along with her was enough to bring one chills. That’s not a sight one sees at your standard graduation … or any school event for that matter. Yet you could feel the honest-to-goodness affection and loving energy filling the Hall, a feeling that only comes from genuine fellowship and a shared love for community.
When Principal Ronald Smead gave his opening remarks, he addressed the soon-to-be graduates on behalf of the administration, faculty, and staff. He told them, “You carry with you the strength of your Spring Hill education, the support of your community, and the confidence that comes from having overcome every obstacle to reach this point.” Then he expressed appreciation to all of the students’ supporters. “To the parents, families and loved ones, thank you for your unwavering support,” he said. Following his opening, Career Counselor Presley Capps shared with the audience that this class had been collectively awarded $1,020,416. She said it was “a true testament to their hard work, dedication, and perseverance.”
In her salutatory address, Anna Beth Sweat also touched on the camaraderie of the Spring Hill community. “Here at Spring Hill, it was more than just academics,” Sweat said. “It was about building character, fostering integrity, and encouraging each one of us to be the best versions of ourselves. I will forever be grateful for the lessons, the support, and the people who made this journey so meaningful.”
Valedictorian Emma Rhodes shared the same sentiment in her remarks. “As I look around this room, on this stage, I see the faces of those who have helped shape us, who have guided us, who have pushed us, and encouraged us; I am reminded of how blessed I am to be a part of something so special here at Spring Hill,” Rhodes said. After she shared more words of encouragement to classmates and appreciation to family and supporters, she closed with her her favorite bible verses Matthew 5:14 and then 5:16 and said, “I would like to encourage each of us to shine your light in the dark places, choose kindness over comfort, live with courage and compassion, and may we never forget where we came from … this small town, big family.”
That motto “small town, big family” said by Rhodes, and the similar thoughts expressed by the other speakers, were evident through more than mere words though. During the presentation of roses, students didn’t just gravitate near their immediate families to pass out these tokens of appreciation and love; they all traveled the big Hall to hand out a rose and a hug to many more. The same could be seen during the presentation of diplomas. When students walked the stage to receive the hard-earned degree handed to them by a school representative, there was more than the perfunctory handshake; the two would embrace with genuine joy and warmth.
Long after the moving of the tassels, the recessional of the new graduates, and the emptying of the Hall as families headed home to celebrate the accomplishments of their young loved ones, one thing remained. An emotion. One that only comes after witnessing something truly remarkable, the kind of thing that can only be found in small towns like here in Spring Hill and areas like Southwest Arkansas. The kind that only comes from being with family. And as the participants of Spring Hill High School’s graduation last night can concur, Spring Hill may be a small town, but it is definitely one big family.
