Looking ahead to graduation day

A reflective assignment in composition class led Discovery Middle School freshman to forecast a major milestone in their lives.

Sherri Shamwell instructed her language arts to write a mock graduation speech for their ninth-grade class. “I was impressed with their work,” she said.

Grant Jackson began his speech with a quote from Harold R. McAlindon: “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

“I took my own trail and came out at the top of my class,” Jackson said.

For Jackson, another inspiring quote was “Live your life with no regrets,” an adage from former principal Sharon Willis. “I, myself can say that our class has done that.”

Jackson has never stopped learning, “making memories and bonding. We have shared the happiest and saddest of moments.”

While a tragedy, the shooting at Discovery “has brought our class together and shown us the importance of life,” Jackson said. “Going to school wasn’t just learning math or science — we learned much more than that. We learned to live our life with no regrets.”

Freshman Blake Polson built his speech on Discovery’s motto, “Run to the Roar.” The motto inspired his class “to do many great things in our life, to accomplish goals academically and socially. It inspired our life dreams.”

Polson said his class has tackled anything. “From small things like doing homework or running that last sprint at practice — to the big things like final exams and getting that last touchdown for the win.”

“We poured our heart and soul into it all from the time we first walked into this school,” Polson said.

“‘Running to the Roar’ is … our inspiration, our pride, our discipline and even our gratitude … Maybe you want to work at Burger King — Run to the Roar. Or even own your own Burger King restaurant — Run to the Roar!”