NO DOUBT: GHS grads celebrate end of high school journey

Published 3:00 am Saturday, May 26, 2018

There’s no doubt that the Goshen High School Class of 2018 will remember their graduation ceremony for the rest of their lives.

Retiring Principal Major Lane challenged them to have no doubt as they move forward to future endeavors.

“Don’t allow doubt to control your destiny,” Lane told the students at the Goshen High gymnasium Friday night in front of a packed crowd of family and friends. “It’s written that faith can move mountains but your doubt will create them.”

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Lane instructed the class that they would need gratitude, perseverance, humility, compassion and sacrifice – and to always turn away from doubters and naysayers.

“As my grandmother always said, ‘Don’t let nobody turn you around,’” Lane said. “Whatever it is you want in life, stay on course. Knock on the door and if it stays closed, keep knocking until you get an answer … Seniors, I say to you believe and achieve or doubt and do without. Just remember to put God first in everything that you do.”

Salutatorian Taten Phillips thanked the teachers and people in the lives of the seniors that helped to support them through the high school journey.

“Our teachers, we thank you for pushing us, especially when we thought we wouldn’t make it,” Phillips said. “Even though we felt like it wouldn’t work, we are greatly appreciative for everything you’ve done. Thank you senior sponsors for keeping us on track. Thank you parents for always being there for us. You’re the ones that got us up each morning, fed us breakfast and made sure we did our homework. Thank you to everyone working behind the scenes at Goshen for keeping things running and as clean and orderly as possible. Thank you coaches for helping us forget about school for a few hours a day. Coach Lane, you’re the greatest principal anyone could ask for. Each graduate has had somebody behind them pushing them toward success in the best way possible. Thank you for making these the best years of my life.”

Valedictorian Brock Snyder echoed Phillips’ thanks and said he is proud to be a part of the Class of 2018.

“I want to thank some very special people who have helped us through our time,” Snyder said. “You’ve given us the knowledge we need to be successful in our lives. We have become better young men because of y’all. Coach Lane, you’re the role model we all needed in our lives.”

Six students at the high school were recognized as not just high school graduates, but college graduates as well. Two students graduated with Associate’s Degrees from Enterprise State Community College in business and finance and two graduated from the school’s First in Flight program through Troy University.

Each of the 67 seniors were honored as they walked across the stage and received their diplomas and each was celebrated as the ceremony came to a close.