RINCON — Thousands of people took an enthusiastic victory lap with the class of 2021 over the weekend.

The graduates from Effingham County’s high schools achieved a personal milestone in a year like no other. Their quest required perseverance on their parts, plus their families, friends and school officials.  

“You know, this time last year our corner of the world was forced to break for the unexpected and unwelcome arrival of the coronavirus, which we now know as COVID-19,” Superintendent Dr. Yancy Ford said Saturday evening during Effingham County High School’s commencement ceremony at Rebel Field in Springfield. “We stood at the brink of one of the most challenging years in recent history. We were unsure when we would be able to gather in person again, we were fearful of an economic downturn, we were isolated from our friends and families, and we were unconvinced that everything would, in fact, be OK.

“While we are not completely out of the woods yet, our nation’s resilience really has been something to admire. Despite inevitable differences and opinions about how to handle an unprecedented pandemic, we did not sit back idly or retreat. Instead, like Marines on a mission, we analyzed the options and found ways to improvise, adapt and overcome.”

Continuing with the same words he uttered at similarly packed commencement ceremonies for South Effingham High School on Friday and Crossroads Academy on Saturday, Ford lauded local efforts to ensure that children were educated despite the pandemic. They proceeded amid constant cleaning, social distancing requirements and sporadic quarantines.

“The students of this district deserved for the doors of the schoolhouse to be open and I’m thankful to the parents that supported us in that endeavor,” he said. “Our district met the challenges head on in a collaborative spirit to do what we believe was the best for our students and families.”

Ford said the commencement   ceremonies were a culmination of a collaborative effort of students, theirs families, educators and community members.

“I want every graduating senior here tonight to really lean in to this last moment,” he said. “Take it all in and remember this feeling because this is what achieving a worthy goal feels like. Each one of you earned the privilege of being here among your peers because you were driven by an overarching purpose of succeeding no matter what.”

Ford started his remarks by recognizing South Effingham’s graduating class, which includes about 350 members, as the 25th in school history.

“I don’t think anybody told them they would have to do this through a pandemic,” the superintendent said after asking for and receiving a round of applause for the seniors. 

South Effingham Salutatorian Donald Nelson noted the class’ noteworthy status in his speech.

“Through grit, determination and maybe the occasional burning of the midnight oil, you have faced what many have never faced,” he said. “You have braved what those who will come after you may never have to brave.”

South Effingham Valedictorian David Harvey thanked Ford, the Effingham County Board of Education and faculty members for helping him and his classmates get through their final year of high school, saying, “... they did a phenomenal job of keeping things under control.”

Harvey then moved to the meat of his speech.

“We as humans need to find and hold tight to our joy,” he said.

“Joy allows us to live a life of peace and contentment,” he continued. “With joy, we aren’t bound by worldly desires and demands. We are able to fully appreciate the lives that we have no matter the situation.”

Crossroads Coordinator Brett Griffin was the featured speaker at his school’s commencement ceremony at Rincon Elementary School on Saturday morning. It featured nearly 80 students.

“The class of 2021 will have many stories to tell about their high school experience and not all of them will be about their teachers, their peers or even the classroom goofball that roamed the halls,” Griffin said. “You stories will be riddled with masks, hand sanitizer, virtual learning and this crazed pandemic called COVID-19. I have watched each of you and you have overcome what many would say couldn’t happen.

“I am proud of each and every one of you.”

Before Griffin spoke, counselor Hank Heller presented the first Crossroads Academy Scholarship to future nursing student Jared Malkolm Stephens. The monetary award, funded entirely by Crossroads Academy students, is designed to help “one of their own” enter the workforce, military or college.

In her remarks Saturday evening, Salutatorian Kinley Tucker issued encouraging words to her Effingham County classmates.

“Hold your heads high as you walk into the real world,” she said. “Never run from your challenges. Face them with confidence and determination.”

In closing, she delivered a more personal message.

“I love each and every one of you,” she said. “This is not the end. It is only the beginning.

“Mama! We made it!”

Effingham County Valedictorian Riley Kublin told her classmates to keep striving.

“.. the time has come and we worked so hard to get here,” she said, “but never let that hard work be something that stops now.”