1 of 7

The 49th Commencement Exercise of Pike Liberal Arts School honored the Class of 2019 Thursday at the Claudia Crosby Theater on the campus of Troy University.

“You’re Gonna Miss This” is the class song of the Pike Liberal Arts School Class on 2019.

Class Valedictorian Kaylee Ferraro  and Salutatorian Max Copeland said that the classmates will truly miss the friendships they have formed over the years. But it is now time to move forward and experience life in different ways, but to always keep the bonds of friendship strong.

“Face the new challenges head on,” Copeland urged his classmates. “Take no short cuts and always do things the right way. Although it will take longer, it will be rewarding.

“We are all unique. Cherish that uniqueness and stay unique and leave your own mark.”

Copeland left is classmates with the thought that their last name is not their own. Others have sacrificed so that one’s last name is one of character and pride.

“You owe it to those who came before you to leave your last name as it was left for you,” Copeland said.

Ferraro encouraged her classmates, as they open a new chapter in their lives, to be supporters, to encourage others. In doing so, they will find that their own lives will be richer and fuller and more meaningful for doing so.

The graduation address for the PLAS Class of 2019 was delivered by the Honorable Keith Watkins, United States District Judge, Middle District of Alabama.

Watkins and his family made their home in Troy for more than 20 years. So, he spoke to the soon-to-be-graduates as family.

He alerted the classmates that life will not be one success after the other.

“You will make mistakes,” he said. “So, expect to make mistakes.”

And some of those mistakes will come from folly.

“Play now and you will pay later,” Watkins cautioned the classmates. “Pay now and play later. It is not what you gather in life; it is what you scatter.”

He cautioned that making happiness a goal is not one that can be reached.

“Happiness is not a goal,” Watkins said. “Happiness is the product of achieving one’s goals. Happiness is not on the other side of consumption. Happiness is on the other side of service.

“Don’t live your lives in a way that nobody knew you were here.”

Diplomas were awarded to the 32 members of the Pike Liberal Arts Class of 2019. They will now go forward to accept the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities before them as graduates of Pike Liberal Arts School.

More News

Homeschoolers visit Pioneer Museum

TroyFest this weekend

Thank you, Mary Page!

It’s TroyFest ‘T’ time