Class of 2022 Tigers move into jungle

With bright eyes and dreams of what the rest of their lives will hold, Jacksboro High School’s Class of 2022 graduated on a warm evening at Tiger Stadium.

The just over an hour long ceremony commenced with the 63 graduates entering from both sides of the visitors bleachers. In her remarks, Salutatorian Savannah Thompson said her class was tested more than it may ever be, going through a pandemic and a tornado with barely two months left in their high school careers. Thompson said they persevered and saw that they can take on everything in their lives.

As their lives continued, she encouraged her classmates to use the lessons they have learned over the last 13 years and “to continue to strive for success in everything they do.”

“Your future is completely up to you,” Thompson said.

As she closed, Thompson challenged everyone to put their best foot forward everyday in everything they do. She thanked her classmates, saying she was “blessed to stand alongside each of you in the Class of 2022.”

A large part of the ceremony was announcing the scholarships and awards each of the graduates had received. More than 30 of the graduates were honor graduates.

Closing the award and scholarship announcements were the presentation of the JHS Ex-Students Association Scholarships. Committee Chair Jerry Craft said 32 years ago when they started is was a pair of $1,000 scholarships. This year, more than $111,000 in scholarships were awarded to 13 graduates.

Valedictorian Libby Mosley, who moved to town just before her freshman year, gave her classmates three pieces of advice. The first was working hard as everything you will get in life is due to how hard you worked for it. The second is dedication which everyone needs in every aspect of their life. She asked her classmates to be dedicated to one area: be it a job, a hobby, their family.

The third piece of advice was compassion as it will help you build connections that will last a lifetime.

Mosley said a wise person once told her it’s not how you start but how you finish. She asked everyone where they wanted to finish their lives and to “strive to do more everyday.”

Graduates received their diplomas from JISD Superintendent Brad Burnett and had their tassels turned by JISD Board President Martha Salmon.