By Jeremy Pyle
Contributing Writer
Piedmont’s 2020 Graduation class has had it shares of disappointments, but finally there was a shining light. A number of this year’s graduates got a chance to celebrate what has otherwise been a dismal end of their schooling in Piedmont on Saturday, July 18.
After the official Piedmont graduation ceremony was canceled at Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City, a few of the Piedmont parents decided to throw their own graduation party on private land to show the graduates how proud they were of their accomplishment.
A few speakers got a chance to voice their approval of Piedmont’s new grads, while also sending them into the next phase of life with a few words of wisdom. Blakely Wallace started the ceremony with introductions , followed by Joe Dishman with prayer for the event.
After prayer, Keith Mundee, President of the American Hat Company, and mentor of Ginger Myers gave a heart-warming speech to send the graduates off into the next phases of their lives. He pointed out that they were still at the beginning of their lives and still had a lot of years left. He reminded them that there are only 168 hours in a week and to make the most of them. And he expressed the importance of making sure that they always appreciate the “+X.” or “positive times.” He also passed out stickers with “+X” on them.
Walking the stage and getting their diplomas was probably the proudest moment of the night. All of the graduates at the event each got their opportunity to get their picture taken and to finally receive that long awaited prize, the completion of high school. And they got to do it in front of about 100 proud Piedmont parents, family members and friends.
All in all, it was a good event, and also a good opportunity for the parents and friends to celebrate the occasion. There was plenty of food to go around and plenty of smiles to celebrate the event, despite the pandemic.
