Clarke Central High School 2026 Valedictorian Noah Kilpatrick delivers his speech during the Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony on May 23 in Akins Ford Arena. After presenting his speech on the importance of trying new things, Kilpatrick reflected on his writing process and the excitement of sharing it with his classmates. “Making the speech was really difficult. I wrote probably three or four versions before I settled on that one, because I really wanted to find a message that I cared about. We’re all sitting there reminiscing about the last four years, and I wanted to do something that’s like, ‘Hey, let’s think about what’s to come,’” Kilpatrick said. “I was really excited, honestly. I was just smiling the whole time. I got to be on the stage, so I got to watch everybody go by, give high fives, give hugs. It was so cool.” Photo by Iliana Tejada
Several speeches were delivered at the Class of 2025 Graduation on May 22, including CCHS Principal Dr. Swade Huff, valedictorian Noah Kilpatrick and salutatorian Waylon Vaughn.
Clarke Central High School Principal Dr. Swade Huff delivers his Presentation of the Senior Class Speech at the 2026 Graduation Ceremony. Photo by Iliana Tejada
Dr. Swade Huff’s Presentation of the Senior Class
Members of the Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Scott, district leaders, faculty and staff, families and friends, and our distinguished guests…welcome, and thank you for being here today. Your encouragement and unwavering support throughout the 2025–26 school year have helped uplift our students every step of the way. On behalf of our graduates, thank you for the countless ways you have invested in their success, celebrated their achievements, and stood beside them through every challenge and triumph.
To the incredible faculty, staff, and support personnel of Clarke Central, thank you for leading and inspiring our students through another successful school year. Your dedication has shaped far more than their academic experience; you have helped shape their character, confidence, and sense of purpose. As the proud principal, Clarke Central would not be the spirited and supportive community it is without each of you because WE ARE CENTRAL!
To the parents, guardians, families, and loved ones of our graduates, thank you for trusting us with your students and allowing us to be part of their journey. Your partnership and support have strengthened our efforts and helped make their success possible. Today, we celebrate not only our graduates but also members in the village who have guided them along the way.
Graduates, please stand and applaud them for their support.
We are gathered to celebrate achievement. As we reflect on the early mornings, late nights, the many assessments, untimely assignments, practices, and performances, it’s safe to say that these 422 graduates understood and fulfilled their mission, and this is the largest, I repeat, the largest graduating class in Clarke Central’s history. What’s understood doesn’t always have to be said, but in this case…IT CAN BE AND DID GET DONE, as Central is 2nd to NONE!
Our graduating seniors have been the most respectful, well-behaved, low-maintenance cohort that I can recall during my eight years at Clarke Central. The running joke is “These students do not realize that it is fine to have fun!” Please know we have enjoyed having you represent our school for the past four years.
Before sharing my departing message with this esteemed class, please be mindful that these Gladiators have all worked hard, and I would like to share the impressive accomplishments of a few of our Gladiators:
Our Valedictorian, Noah Kilpartick, will be attending the University of Georgia, where he has earned a full scholarship as a Foundation Fellow and intends to major in mathematics and computer science. He has done an exceptional job managing his time as a scholar-athlete on our cross country and track and field teams.
Our salutatorian, Waylon Vaughn, has also efficiently managed his four years at Central as a scholar-athlete and was recently recognized as the 8-5A 4×800 Track and Field State Champion, setting a state record. He also participated in fine arts, focusing on filmmaking, and one of his films was screened at Columbia University. Waylon will be attending Brown University in the fall and continuing to explore his passion for the arts.
Our STAR Student, Olivia Bergman, who recognized Scott Swain as the STAR Teacher this year, will be attending Amherst College in Massachusetts to major in English and mathematics.
Connor Miller, who will attend Fayetteville State University to major in nursing, has received a merit scholarship and will be remembered as a back-to-back regional tennis champion.
Graduates such as Aaron Jackson will enlist in the Navy, and Matthew Carruth will enlist in the National Guard to protect the freedoms we should never take for granted.
Scholar Bryce Johnson, who received scholarships from Omega Psi Phi and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternities during the Honors Awards Night, will be attending Albany State University, Home of the Golden Rams!
Mariah Carson will be taking her aptitude and spoken-word talent to North Carolina A&T University!
Managing Editor of the ODYSSEY Media Group, Peter Atchley, has been instrumental in our journalism program and will attend the University of Georgia. The ODYSSEY Newsmagazine, iliad Literary-Art Magazine, and ODYSSEY website each earned the Pacemaker Award, which is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards offered by the National Scholastic Press Association.
Clarke Central High School Principal Dr. Swade Huff stands during the Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony in Akins Ford Arena on May 22. Photo by Iliana Tejada
Scholar-Athletes Farrell Hyde, who was voted to the 1st Team 8-5A in Soccer, and Kate Ness, who is the Region 8-5A Individual Cross Country Champion, both will be attending the University of Georgia.
Anthony “AJ” Lonon, who enrolled early at the University of Georgia as a member of the football team, has already made the dean’s list! AJ, always remember, Go Glads and Go Gators!
This graduating class has been very studious with meeting their academic obligations and has amassed an impressive $15 million in scholarships.
Today, we gather as a school community to celebrate, but I have one parting question for our graduates.
What will be your value add to others and this world?
Many of you are thinking about the near future.
What career path should you choose? How much money do you want to earn that will lead to an early retirement?
What type of car do you dream about driving, or what type of home do you want to reside in?
As young adults, those secondary questions are common, and we have all pondered the same. However, the primary question that you should be considering is:
What value will you add to your family, friends, community, and this sometimes unkind country and world?
Because the truth is, you are transitioning into a big, beautiful world that does not always display kindness. A world that can be impatient, unfair, divided, and judgmental. However, that does not mean you have to become what surrounds you. It means you will have to decide each day what you can do to leave this world a better place than when you graced it.
Your value-add should not be just your talent but also your integrity.
Your value-add should not be just your ambition but also your impact.
It should not just be “What can you take?”, but “What can you give?”
For our Gladiators, whose next step will be a transition to college or a higher education institution, you will quickly learn that education is not only about sitting in a classroom but also about adding value to the organization’s brand.
Will you handle business in your new learning institution by being an innovative researcher to discover a new concept or cure that will impact the world?
Will you immerse yourself in majors such as International Policy and Studies, to ensure that this world remains stable for generations to come?
Your goal should always be to leave a legacy in every class that you take, every student government association you are elected to serve, every club, sorority, and fraternity you join.
Aspire to raise the bar and ensure you are remembered when your students’ days are done.
Also, be safe, but create a few memories so that one day you and your friends can smile and say, “I can’t believe we did that!”
To the Gladiators whose value add will be to serve this country and protect our freedom by enlisting in the military. Your decision carries courage and responsibility.
You are stepping into a world of discipline and sacrifice; a world where the mission will forever be bigger than you.
Your value add is becoming the best commissioned or non-commissioned officer you can be. You will be tested, but you will also be shaped into a better version of yourself.
Regardless of the branch, Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, please know there is honor in your decision to serve while executing lawful orders that this country has historically prided itself on.
The Clarke Central school community will keep you and the millions of other service members in our thoughts and prayers. Stay Safe!
What value will you add to your family, friends, community, and this sometimes unkind country and world?
For the Gladiators who will be entering the workforce, this highly respected path will teach you new lessons that don’t require textbooks or personal learning devices.
The workforce will teach you accountability, patience, and to keep going when no one is cheering.
Entering the workforce will teach you that we are all replaceable, so do not think otherwise.
With the current state of our job market, having a positive attitude, being dependable, honest, willing to learn, and being the person others can count on is noble. The value you add to our daily lives and routines can sometimes be taken for granted, but please know that your contributions are vital.
Graduates, none of you would have been able to experience this rite-of-passage moment without those who sacrificed for you, encouraged you, believed in you on the days when you did not fully believe in yourselves, and reminded you how much you are loved.
Do not become so focused on accomplishing your dreams that you forget to live in the present with the ones you love and cherish the most. So, as you move forward in life, please do not forget the people who helped carry you to this moment. Make time to call or come home, NOT TEXT, and say thank you or I miss you, because at the end of the day, that is what matters most.
Graduates, as you close this chapter and begin your new journey, never forget your GLAD Pride and remember GLADS are Grads! (Graduates, Leaders, Achievers, Decision-Makers, Striving for Success!)
Congratulations, Class of 2026, and As Always…Go Glads!
Noah Kilpatrick’s Valedictory Speech
Clarke Central High School Class of 2026 valedictorian Noah Kilpatrick delivers his speech at the 2026 graduation ceremony on May 22 at the Akins Ford Arena. Photo by Maypop Wren
Before I begin, I want to take a moment to thank all of the teachers, coaches, administrators, parents, family, friends, teammates, neighbors, bus drivers…everyone who has helped get us here. Your help has not gone unnoticed and we are grateful for the support you’ve given to get us to this stage today. So thank you.
When people ask me about myself, I immediately respond: “I’m a runner, and I’m a math guy.” And it’s totally true. I’ve taken 9 math classes in high school and I run 48 out of 52 weeks of the year. Which I’ll admit is a little ridiculous, but I really do enjoy it. But looking back now, those 9 math classes I took meant that I never took an art course. Running cross country and track year-round meant that I never tried tennis, or JROTC, or I don’t know…football.
Clarke Central High School Class of 2026 Valedictorian Noah Kilpatrick receives his diploma at the Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony in Akins Ford Arena on May 22. Photo by Iliana Tejada
From the beginning of freshman year, I had found my niche, and I stuck with it. I boxed myself in without even knowing I was doing it. And I think that all of us here have experienced some version of this before. From a young age, we’ve told ourselves what we’re good at and what we like, and it creates a cycle of reinforcement, and that singular attribute quickly becomes our identity. Maybe we really, truly love whatever that thing is, but we can’t let ourselves be just one thing.
For me, this realization was the defining factor in my college decision. I decided not to go to Georgia Tech because I don’t just want to be a math guy. I want to explore other things I’m interested in, like law and music and acting. And I want to try things out that I’ve never done before. I’m not by any means dropping math, instead, I’m adding more things that I wouldn’t get to do if I were only focused on moving forward in one area.
Nobody here is just one thing, so we shouldn’t approach life as if we are. We gotta go find some adventures! We need to do some things outside the realm of those one or two characteristics that “define” us. It doesn’t need to be wild. You don’t need to summit the Himalayas or move to Paris to become a chef.
For me, it might look like taking an art class for the first time—because those who know me know that my best self-portrait is a stick figure—but for you, it’ll be different. If you’ve never been camping, maybe take a night this summer and sleep out under the stars. If you’ve never left Georgia, take a road trip. It can be whatever you want—mentor a kid in the community…write your first poem—but let’s all intentionally do something new, because how else will we know what’s out there and what we might be good at?
And right now is the perfect time. We’re graduating! We’ve been handed this transition time, where our lives are already getting turned upside down, so why not lean into it? Use this time to take your identity and stretch it, expand it, or change it altogether.
And if at some point—maybe now, maybe down the road—you find that the path you’ve been on isn’t the right one, it’s okay to change it, even if it feels too late—it’s not. Some of the most successful people in the world get to where they are because they know when to switch things up, and not because they knew the right path from the beginning.
So switch careers, change your major, add a new hobby, but let’s not let ourselves be defined by one identity. We should live a little on the edge, and we should find as many adventures out there as we can.
Thank you.
Waylon Vaughn’s Salutatory Speech
Clarke Central High School Class of 2026 salutatorian Waylon Vaughn delivers his speech at the Graduation Ceremony at Akins Ford Arena on May 22. Photo by Iliana Tejada
Good afternoon,
When I was writing this speech, I racked my brain for the perfect anecdote to represent my journey at Clarke Central. That moment when I felt most understood, or that time when a teacher’s lecture suddenly opened up a new door for my learning. I wanted a story that captured a single, powerful moment when my life changed massively and irreversibly.
And let me tell you, I could not find that story.
However, I discovered something else. I found myself swept away in the many little moments that I had forgotten. I remembered getting lost on the way to Advisement my freshman year. I remembered my first run with the varsity cross country team, and being in awe of how easily they ran paces that left me exhausted.
Clarke Central High School Class of 2026 salutatorian Waylon Vaughn receives his diploma at the Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony in Akins Ford Arena on May 22. Photo by Iliana Tejada
Or huddling with my friends outside during lunch, despite the November chills in my sophomore year. I remembered the guidance of my art teacher, Ms. Jessica Shelden, when I was gathering my portfolio for the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program in my junior year.
I realized that these, and others, are the moments that defined my time at Clarke Central. Not one spectacular instance of change, but a hundred million little victories, struggles, and realizations.
Upon this discovery, I was filled with immense gratitude. Whether it was the upperclassmen of the cross country team making me feel welcomed despite not being as fast as them or Ms. Shelden teaching me how to talk about my art, all of these moments began with someone’s encouragement.
Which is why, before we cross the stage and begin our next chapter, I invite you, Class of 2026, to reflect on the little moments that brought you here. Whether it was under the lights of Billy Henderson Stadium, in the classroom, or in the hallway, these moments define who we are and who we will become.
Thank you.
