Madison Early College High School celebrates 64 graduates
ASHEVILLE - Madison Early College High School graduated 64 students in a May 20 ceremony at A-B Tech's main campus event center.
The class' co-valedictorians, Lucas Barilovits and Mason Stimach, addressed their fellow graduates during the ceremony.
Barilovits encouraged his classmates to be more present and engaged in the moment, reminding them of the adversity they faced in their high school careers.
"There will always be something pulling on your brain, whether it be in the future or past, but there is no option but to move forward," said Barilovits, who will attend Duke University. "The future is coming, and I can’t say whether or not it is bright, but I can say that we have to face it. We’re gonna make mistakes - a lot of them. But listen to other people and learn from your mistakes. Learning from mistakes is what makes us who we are. Learning from mistakes is what has brought us all into this room. We will all do bad things, it’s what makes us human, but we learn and grow."
In his speech, Barilovits also urged his classmates to hone their individuality and to be intentional in their actions.
"A lot of the people in this room have bright futures, and have a lot of potential," he said. "But just remember - what defines us is who we are, our intentions, and our actions, not how other people react to them. Be yourself and ignore the rest. Thank you everyone, and God bless."
Stimach was more succinct in his message to his classmates.
"Choose to do things because you like to do them not because you have to do them," he said.
Superintendent Will Hoffman congratulated the graduates for their perseverance during such an unprecedentedly challenging time.
"Class of 2022, the Board of Education and I are very proud of your many accomplishments. As you graduate today you have honestly done something that none of us here tonight have done," Hoffman said. "You have completed this stage of your education through a global pandemic. You were faced with adversity, chaos, the politics of public health and still you handled it with grace.
"We believe that from this experience you have gained a sense of optimism and resiliency that will enable you to handle anything that life throws at you, a perspective, that is crucial to any person’s success."
The superintendent offered the graduates a message of hope, urging them to pursue their passions head on and with full hearts.
"Today, we challenge you to be compassionate and to find something to stand for in life, to educate yourselves to be the best that you can be in whatever you choose," Hoffman said. "Our hope for you today is that you live lives of fulfillment and joy, and that you go from here hopeful about the world and all of your possibilities to impact the world as God uniquely made you to do. That you find your life’s dream and that you pursue it relentlessly. Never give up. Never ever give up."
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Madison Early College High School holds graduation ceremony May 20
