Pinewood Christian Academy’s (PCA) Class of 2022 graduated on the morning of Saturday, May 14, in the Eddie Durrence Gymnasium.
The guest speaker for the ceremony was Pastor Mike Lyons of Claxton. Lyons spoke on John 3:16 and the importance of this verse. He emphasized to the Class of 2022 — everything we do is a testimony of God’s love for us.
PCA Valedictorian Shannon Potts of Register, the daughter of Dana and Eddie Potts, shared her appreciation for her classmates, supporters, and honorary mothers, otherwise known as her teachers, for the memories made with at PCA.
“Thank you to every one of my teachers, who feel like second parents to us all,” Potts said.
She specifically thanked Angie Miller, Allison Pollak, Susan Nobles, Coach Ridge Ferrell, Coach Kevin Hill, and Headmaster and Coach Clay Hill for their lasting effect on her life. She also took a moment to remember the late Coach Charles Sumner, a beloved coach and teacher at PCA.
Much of her speech was dedicated to Headmaster Hill, who will not return to PCA next year.
“I know I speak for everyone in this class when I say — we could not have had asked for a better headmaster to walk through this journey with,” Potts said.
She closed out her speech with a quote from Hayley Scott, a fictional character from the television show, One Tree Hill, “Now is the time for us to shine, the time when our dreams are in reach and possibilities, vast. Now is the time for all of us to become the people we always dreamed of being. This is your world. You are here. You matter. The world is waiting.”
PCA Salutatorian Walter Kelley Durrence of Claxton, the son of Ken and Holly Durrence, shared a reflection on the accomplishments and memories made by the Class of 2022.
Each PCA graduate received a Bible from Dale Parker along with their diploma. The presentation of the Bible is something that began at the first Pinewood graduation in 1973. Additionally, PCA graduating classes present the school with a gift every year. This gift, a Pinewood insignia to be placed at the main doors of the upper building, was presented by Class President Grace Ann Nevil.
Next up to receive their diplomas is the Tattnall County High School (TCHS) Class of 2022, totaling 227 graduates. These Warriors will graduate this Friday, May 20, at 8 p.m., at Warrior Stadium, located at 1 Battle Creek Warrior Boulevard in Reidsville.
Martin DeJarnette of Vidalia, the son of Robert H. and Roseann DeJarnette, is the TCHS valedictorian. He plans to attend Georgia Southern University (GSU) after graduating.
Fredrick “Nolan” Wiginton of Reidsville, the son of Jeremy Wiginton and Diana Lewis, is the TCHS salutatorian, as well as STAR student. He plans to continue his education at GSU to major in Political Science with aspirations to become a civil attorney.
The 2022 Graduation Edition, featuring all PCA and TCHS graduates, is inserted in this edition of The Journal Sentinel.
PCA senior portraits courtesy of William Hutcheson.
TCHS senior portraits courtesy of Pix Photography in Vidalia.
Graduation edition cover photos courtesy of Paul Evans and Nicole Hanson Hodges.
