BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Martin County High School salutatorian Lena Hale delivered an inspiring speech at the commencement ceremony for the graduating class of 2024 Friday in the school gymnasium.

With a witty opening, she acknowledged the brief attention spans of her peers, likening them to the length of a TikTok video.

“So I’ll keep this short and sweet,” she said, drawing smiles and attentive ears from her audience.

She set a hopeful tone for fellow graduates and attendees, focusing her address on the importance of positive relationships in personal and professional success.

“There are always going to be negative people that you will encounter in each stage of life,” said Hale. “People that try to stand in the way of your goals and your purpose. But it is the positive people who will have a lasting impact on you—the people who provide encouragement, guidance and perspective.”

Gratitude was a recurring theme throughout her speech. Hale took the opportunity to express her appreciation for her family, friends, teachers and mentors in the community, crediting them for their support and guidance. She gave a special thanks to her church family for their spiritual guidance and love, sharing a light-hearted remark about the abundant affection she received from them.

“If I had a dollar for every hug, kiss on the forehead, pinch of my cheeks and reminder that Jesus loves me, I wouldn’t even need to go to college and get a job,” said Hale.

The salutatorian concluded with a reminder of the true value of supportive relationships over mere achievements.

“No amount of knowledge, no outstanding ability and no accomplishment will ever be as valuable to you as having the encouragement, guidance and love of the positive people around you,” remarked Hale. “So surround yourself with positive people and strive to one day be one of those positive people to others.”

Lena is the daughter of Bobby and Susan Hale.