Not even a thunderstorm which delayed the start of graduation for about two hours could dampen the enthusiasm at Barron Stadium as Rome High School’s Class of 2024 celebrated the end of their high school journey on Saturday morning.
The class of more than 470 strong weathered the storm quite literally and then celebrated en masse at the ceremonies with packed stands on both sides of the historic stadium, watching and cheering.
Dei’ Gibbons and Nicholas Johnson received the Principal’s Award from Rome High Principal Parke Wilkinson.
Conchetta Dodge and Jacob Fisher received the Superintendent’s Award from Rome City School Superintendent Dr. Eric L. Holland.
The class earned more than $10 million in scholarship dollars.
Rome High Valedictorian Conchetta Dodge spoke about the three R’s but changed them from the words the students heard every day at Rome High - be responsible, be respectful, and be a role model to remember, risk, and reward.
Dodge spoke on the new R’s during her speech.
“These last four years have changed us all, and most of us, I’m saying most for a reason, have grown into mature young adults, others have grown into young adults. This would have been impossible without first taking a risk. Those sports teams taught you teamwork, show rehearsals every day after school brought out your creativity and helped build your self-confidence, hard classes taught you responsibility and accountability, and new clubs brought you out of your comfort zone and introduced you to new friends. Class of 2024, keep taking risks. Take that leap, open that door, apply for that new job, jump into that crystal blue water, and dance every chance you get. A life well lived comes with some scars but few regrets,” she said.
Salutatorian Miriam Loya spoke about how their high school days began after the COVID pandemic shut down and how all of them got over that setback and enjoyed their four years at Rome High.
“Class of 2024, we made it. So many of us dreamed of this day for years, almost believing it would never be our turn. Today, we face our future; looking into the uncertainty and adventure with excitement. As we look forward, remember Maya Angelou’s words. We are ‘the sum total of everything [we’ve] ever seen, heard… been told, [and] forgot - it’s all there.’ Rome High will always remain a part of us, even as we journey into the next phase of life. For today, wear your cap and gown with pride and remember: Once a wolf, always a wolf,” Loya said.
Once the ceremony ended, several hundred caps were tossed in the air and graduates hugged, laughed, cried, danced, and more before venturing to the stands to find their families.