Hundreds of young men and women from our community will graduate from high school this month.
They will line up in their cap and gown and strolled across the floor or field to pick up their high school diploma as their full name is proclaimed over the public address system.
And while parents and grandparents will swell with pride as their graduate’s last name is called, we need to be reminded this is a community event the entire county should be proud of.
I hope you realize the No.1 product of this community is not cotton, soybean, timber or even blues music. The No. 1 product of Clarksdale and Coahoma County is quality young men and women.
These graduates are the future of Clarksdale, Friars Point, Jonestown and Lyon. The Class of 2023 will shape and mold our destiny more than we ever dreamed.
Memories
We are so proud of our 2023 graduates. This newspaper even put out a special Graduation edition to mark this event.
Our graduates have accomplished a lot in the past 12-years.
The Clarksdale Press Register has published the names of some of our graduates over and over.
Football, band, baseball, FCA, basketball, art class, computer class, honor rolls, plays, community events and much more. Your pictures and accomplishments have graced the pages of the Press Register for the past year. Those events were clipped and turned into refrigerator art in your home and posted on the bulletin board at church week after week.
Some have scrapbooks carefully kept by mom or a favorite family relative.
We encourage our 2023 graduates to savor these moments. You will look back on them in 12 short years and wonder where the time went.
To the class of 2023 I say thanks for the memories.
Money Money Money
I watched Lee Academy graduate 31 students who have collectively earned more than half-a-million dollars in scholarships Friday night.
Mom and Dad were so proud. Mom relished the fact her child was smart enough to land a scholarship. Dad relished the fact he wouldn’t have to pay for a chunk of college.
I went to Coahoma Community College the following Saturday morning and watched hundreds of students get their diploma for two years of college.
One of my four sons went to a community college and saved a ton of money by getting basic classes out of the way his freshman and sophomore year. He went on to get is degree from a Division One university.
The cost of a college education denies many the opportunity to continue their education.
I’m glad some have figured out ways to get the money up front or reduce the cost as they go.
Moving on
The hometown high school environment has suited most of our graduates well. Now they move on to another phase in their life.
We do hope you realize that your education never stops.
Sure, you’re headed to college or good-paying jobs, but even with a college degree and steady work you must set your mind to always learn all you can before the candle goes out.
Many of you will move to far away places and enjoy careers and success beyond your wildest dreams. Some will stay around here and lead immensely satisfying lives in a community that has taught you well and expects nothing less than your very best.
In both situations we hope you realize this community has shaped you and will continue to shape your choices and dreams.
They say education is the only crop that is planted in the fall and harvested in the spring.
From the looks of things in Coahoma County this year, we have a bumper-crop.
Let’s watch our community and all of Coahoma County grow.
Floyd Ingram is the Editor of your Clarksdale Press Register and a 1978 graduate of West Point High School. He can be reached at 627-2201 or via email at floyd@pressregister.com.
