Dear Martin County High School Class of 2022:

Four short years ago, you began a new journey as freshmen at Sheldon Clark High School. You spent only one year in the old middle school building. Your class experienced the excitement of moving into a beautiful, new facility for opening day, August 2019.

What a memorable year we had until the pandemic descended upon us in March 2020. Never realizing that it would be months, almost a year, before you would be able to enjoy our beautiful school again, you launched into the unfamiliar world of virtual instruction. For the remainder of your sophomore and most of your junior year, you would navigate unchartered waters, attending high school at home, in front of your computer.

While your high school years may not have been exactly as you envisioned, unknowingly, through adversity, you developed skills that will serve you a lifetime. On a positive note, your senior year has been filled with numerous unforgettable experiences. Full athletic calendars, district wins, pep rallies, homecoming dance, band and choir concerts, competitions at regional, state and national conferences, building a tiny house, earning a record number of industry certifications, hanging out with friends, prom in our new gym, senior trip, senior picnic, and graduation under the stars with an unlimited number of guests, to name only a few.

Graduating seniors, I wish I could give each of you a “do-over” for the time you missed being at school, hanging out with friends, and doing all the memorable activities that teenagers cherish for years to come. Each one of you deserves another shot from what the pandemic has taken away. I am so happy, however, that for the majority of this year, you have been able to experience some degree of normalcy.

Class of 2022, I admire you for your perseverance as you have adapted to challenging circumstances. As you move into the next chapter of life, take these heartfelt words of advice from a principal that deeply cares about you:

1. It is during times of adversity that our true character shines brightest. We can choose to be negative and bitter or we can use it as a growing, reflecting time in which we become stronger, more determined individuals.

2. Surround yourself with positive, upbeat people that will encourage and lift you up. Never permit negative, miserable individuals to steal your joy.

3. When making difficult decisions follow your heart and choose what you know is best. A sure way to fail is to try to please everyone.

4. Surround yourself with people that are smarter than you are. Value the worth of others and let them know how much you appreciate them. You can never grow as an individual when you belittle others.

I encourage you to hug your loved ones and thank your teachers for getting you to this point in life. Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for the next adventurous chapter of life. It is your book and you are the only one that can write it. I wish you nothing but success and happiness throughout each chapter. Always cherish the memories you have of the years at Martin County High School, Class of 2022.

With love and pride today and always,

Martha Williams, Principal