Class of 2020 commencement
The Last Roll Call
June 18, 2020
By Toddette McGreevy
Senior Class Advisor
Reminiscent of years of old or days gone by, wisdom presided as the theme in Senior Class Advisor Toddette McGreevy's final address to the graduation class of 2020. She spoke of values, gratefulness, tradition and holding true to the old while developing the new...
Seniors, we've finally arrived at the place you have been working to find for 13 years; and perhaps this year was the longest. I don't have to remind you of the things you've missed out on, you know. I don't have to tell you that you are loved, you know. I don't have to, but I will, give you some advice.
First, be careful as you travel out of the safety of Pomeroy. Your world today is different from the one that faced me nearly 40 years ago. You know what to do, what to say or not say, and that your actions have meaning.
Second, your friends now are what you wanted for this graduation. It wasn't about the ceremony as much as being together. Remember why that is important. As Robert Frost penned, "Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver, the other gold."
You'll go out and find "your people" but don't forget the gold friends you've found along the way here at Pomeroy High School.
I have 36 gold friends from my class. We get together often because we love each other and can pick up where we left off without a missed beat. Keep that. I don't talk to my classmates very often, but when we see each other, we are quick to chat, hug and laugh.
You have tat now; keep it for the future.
Third, and last. You know who YOU are. Be true to that. Don't let others convince you that you are something you aren't or that you should do something that goes against your values, principles and heart. I always tell my boys (even today) as they leave on their adventures, "Use your best brain" or "UYBB". What that means is, you have good heads on your shoulders, just use them; think for yourself.
So, to you, Class of 2020, you have what you need to go out and achieve. Just "use your best brain"––think before you speak or act and you will have UYBB. It will serve you well as you venture out into the world.
I wish you love and luck; be a Pirate or Captain Jack Sparrow: Pirates and Captain Jack persevere, take care of those they love and set goals and work to achieve them. That's you. GO do it!
I will now call the Roll, for the final time, for the Class of 2020.