Blue Devil Stadium was packed for Huntington's 163rd commencement exercises. (Darin Reed photo.)
Blue Devil Stadium was packed for Huntington's 163rd commencement exercises. (Darin Reed photo.)

Huntington High School’s Class of 2024 Graduates

July 1, 2024

Few communities can match the love that Huntington has for its kids. That was evident last Friday night as a crowd in excess of 2,500 turned out for Huntington High School’s 163rd commencement exercises.

As Huntington High School’s Class of 2024 streamed into Blue Devil Stadium, circled the track and passed in front of the huge bleachers to the strains of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance No. 1, there were cheers and tears from the huge crowd, which sense the transition taking place before its eyes.

The early evening ceremony saw 350 seniors awarded diplomas. The commencement featured a series of heartfelt addresses by class members and school and district officials. The Class of 2024 claimed millions of dollars in awards and scholarships.

As the ceremony got underway, chamber choir members performed a well-received rendition of Francis Scott Key’s “The Star Spangled Banner.” Senior Cain Carney’s instrumental interpretation of the song followed on electric guitar, electrifying the crowd and conjuring up images of the fabled Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock. It was just one of many moments to remember during the 90 minute ceremony.

The huge crowd completely filled every square inch of the massive grandstand and spilled out along the north and south sides of the structure, stretching around the fencing, with people sometimes standing three or four deep. The visiting side bleachers were also occupied. Many said it was the largest crowd in memory; perhaps ever.

“Although the future is exciting and holds great promise, I encourage you all not to get too caught up in looking ahead, but rather spend a little extra time focused on the present,” salutatorian Benjamin Edgar-McNerney told his classmates during his commencement address. “Pay attention to those around you right now, at this moment. And give pause to the little beauties of life. Because when it comes down to it, it’s these little beauties that make each of our lives unique and worth living.”

The dais was filled with Principal Brenden Cusack and Superintendent Beth McCoy, Assistant Principals Gamal Smith and Tricia Avelli, Deputy Superintendent Christopher Hender and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rubie Harris along with Huntington School Board members and Class of 2024 leaders.

Lasting Sense of Community

“We are the masters of our own destinies,” valedictorian Charlotte Gordon told her classmates during her short speech. “It’s very possible that 30 years from now, your life will look nothing like how you thought it would today; and that’s the beauty of it! While none of our paths have been easy, all of them are far from complete. I know your time here at Huntington has prepared you for a future filled with joy, success and a lasting sense of community. As Helen Keller once said, ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.’ On that note, Class of 2024, let’s graduate! I’ll see you all at the reunion!”

The new graduates are destined for dozens of top-tier colleges and universities. They have excelled in every academic discipline as well as in the fine and performing arts, mock trial, Virtual Enterprise business and robotics competitions and athletics while winning a variety of awards and honors.

“Who do you want to be? What will you do now?” Huntington School Board President Xavier Palacios rhetorically asked the seniors during his address. “You may be asking yourselves these questions as we stand here today. These are questions that will follow you throughout your lives. As you navigate the ups and downs of life, remember the words of Albert Einstein, ‘The only source of knowledge is experience.’ So go out and experience life to the fullest, even if it means failing spectacularly at times; just make sure to take notes for the next time. Don’t fear failure as it is an important ingredient of success. Embrace the challenges that come your way and use them as stepping stones towards your goals.”

The 350 seniors sat attentively in their neatly arranged chairs throughout the ceremony. Many personalized the top of their caps with messages touching on the future and providing thanks to special people in their lives.

Connections & Relationships

“Connections to and relationships with others is what life is all about,” new Superintendent Beth McCoy told the seniors. “Take a moment to think back on your first memories of elementary school; field day, your first moving up ceremony, when you played your first instrument, when you built your first Lego set, excelled in a sport, sang in the chorus and the list goes on. When you think about each of those memories, it is not the sport, instrument or the remarks at the event that you remember, it is the people you were with at those important times that matter most; the people you were connected to and had relationships with. It is the dinner with your family afterwards where you laugh and celebrate your accomplishment. It is the picture that your parent took to commemorate that special moment. It is the pamphlet or trophy that hangs in your room to remind you of how special you are and how much you matter to those around you. This same sentiment goes for every memory you make in the future whether it is in college or the work force. The people who you surround yourself with and your connection to them are what will matter most; choose them wisely. Make sure they are people you want to build with, connect with and make more memories with. Lean on these people, talk to these people when life gets tough, celebrate with them when life is amazing and connect with them during every moment in between.”

The ceremony was livestreamed for those unable to attend. Chairs were arranged on the track along the facade of the bleachers for those who needed to sit in the shade and who were unable to climb into the grandstand.

Experience the Joy of Helping Others

“Through my work here at Huntington High School over the last 12 years, I have come to know one thing that stands out: what you do for others shows the world who you really are,” Mr. Cusack told Class of 2024 members. “I believe Huntington has helped me to learn this because Huntington is unique. Whenever there is a need, this community comes together and, without fail, offers to help. I have also seen this scenario play out time and time again with so many of you in this senior class.

“So many of you already have a genuine sense of empathy for one another. I’ve seen you help and honor each other with not a single self-serving thought and absolutely no expectation of anything in return. I’ve even seen some of you already beginning to build your own teams and networks that I just described in an effort to offer help… and it is inspiring… it gives us so much hope for the future. My wish is that all of you will find a path like this and that you all can experience the joy of providing help to others. A life of purpose and fulfillment awaits those who do.”

The graduates and their families celebrated on the turf athletic field and posed for an endless array of photos. Huntington’s newest alums didn’t seem to want to leave, realizing it was the last time the Class of 2024 will ever be together in one place.