New Brockton High School graduates class of 2012

Fifty-six young men and women became graduates of New Brocton High School on May 25, as the class of 2012 held commencement ceremonies in Gamecock Stadium. Friends and family crowded the home sidelines as valedictorian Claire Bailey gave her address to her classmates.

“To my fellow seniors, it has been a journey for sure,” Bailey said. “I can truly say that I don’t know anyone else that I would rather have walk across this stage with me.”

In her salutatory address, Jenna Freese encouraged her classmates to make their lives count.

“Class of 2012, success is not defined by a bank account balance or a place in society, but success is learning from our past mistakes, being happy with who we are and being content with what we’ve done,” Freese said. “Success is living up to your utmost potential. Potential, opportunity, and responsibility, it’s what we’re excited for, it’s what we can’t wait for and it’s what we’re scared to death of.”

Freese encouraged her classmates to not let their hard work and dedication end with high school.

“We have prepared for this day it seems like our entire lives, but in reality we have prepared and planned for tomorrow,” Freese said. “What will you do with the foundation you have built here?”

Bailey remembered coach Terry Patman during her valedictory address. Patman was a NBHS math teacher who passed away last October.

“Coach Patman, even though you are not physically here we know that you are here with us tonight,” Bailey said. “You’ve left an impact on all of our lives. From accepting the responsibility of being a senior sponsor to a girl dominated class, to going above and beyond being the best math teacher anyone could ask for.”

Following the commencement addresses, Principal Kevin Killingsworth presented each of the graduates with a diploma and ceremonial candle.

As a tradition, Gamecock graduates exit the field with the house lights off and candles lit.

Gamecock pride is one of the many things taught at New Brockton high school, and in her address Freese asked her classmates to understand what that truly means.

“Gamecock pride, what is it? It’s being proud of where we have come from, our small beginnings and our school,” Freese said. “A game cock fights to its death, it gives everything it has until the very end, how appropriate.”

With the turn of a tassel, 56 Gamecocks began their own fights.