With Bryan County and Richmond Hill’s Class of 2023 set to receive high school diplomas Saturday, It seemed a good time to ask a few folks about their high school experiences, and what advice they might have for the latest class of seniors.
Here’s what they had to say, in no particular order.
Dick Yarbrough, famous Georgia columnist: High School: Russell High School, East Point, Ga.
Year of Graduation: 1955.
Best high school memory or advice you got: Being editor of my high school newspaper and dating the “Club News” correspondent. The best advice I got came from my dad who said, “You need to marry this young lady. She is special.” I did and she was.
What did you want to do with your life at that point: Radio announcer
Advice to class of 2023: Find something you love to do so much that you would pay someone for the privilege of doing it and then just get them to pay you. That’s the perfect job.
Dr. Karen Boles Grant, longtime educator and founder of the David Boles Foundation:
High school: Richmond Hill High School Year of graduation: 1973
Best high school memory or advice you got: I received the love of drama (Thespian).
What did you want to do with your life at that point: Teach.
Advice to class of 2023: Make your chosen vocation your passion. Going to work will be like going to play.
Mark Bolton, vice president of communications, marketing and economic development for Coastal Electric Cooperative:
School: Evergreen High School, Evergreen, Ala. Year: 1974.
Best memory: My mother would take me to the local airport for weekend flying lessons before I was old enough to drive.
What did you want to do with your life? I wanted to fly for corporate aviation.
Advice to the class of 2023: When you are old, you will look back on these next years after graduation as the best years of your life. Before you’re tied down with the responsibilities of marriage and family life, travel and see the world. Military service is a great way to grow and travel. In just three short years and it will be over and you’ll forever be a better person for your volunteer service to your country. Don’t be afraid to try new things. It’s very hard to achieve goals if you have the emergency brake on, and the emergency brake is fear.
Angela Hendrix, senior vice president of marketing and public relations at the Savannah Economic Development Authority:
High school attended: Northwestern High School, Rock Hill, S.C. Year of graduation:1990.
Best high school memory or advice you got: My uncle told me, “Now is the time you figure out who you really are.”
What did you want to do with your life: I had no idea but the point of the next phase of your life is to figure it out!
Advice to class of 2023: Take the chances, embrace the change, experience everything you can!
Dy’Amond McGhee, 2022 UGA graduate and aspiring attorney:
High school attended: Bryan County High School Year of graduation: Class of 2019.
Best high school memory or advice you got: The best advice that I ever received has been to work hard, focus, and be self-disciplined. If you want to be successful, you have to remember what fuels your passion and put in the work.
What did you want to do with your life: I’ve always wanted to advocate for social justice. I am working on becoming a lawyer to address social phenomena such as inequality, discrimination, marginalization,
and oppression.
Advice to class of 2023: My advice is to never stop chasing your goals. Life will throw a lot of challenges in front of you, and your success will depend on how you deal with these obstacles. You have to build a resilient mindset and have the ability to adapt and bounce back when things don’t go as planned. Believe in yourself, take on the challenges, and remind yourself that overcoming those obstacles can unlock better opportunities.
Alex Floyd, scion of pine tree family:
High school attended, where if not local: Pinewood Christian Academy, Bellville, Ga. Year of graduation: 2009.
Best high school memory or advice you got: The best advice I got, I wouldn’t dare put in print.
What did you want to do with your life: I was just trying not to screw it up at that point.
Advice to class of 2023: “Live like nobody else so later on you can live like nobody else.” -Dave Ramsey.
Allie Robinson, account director with Lesley Frances Public Relations:
High school attended, where if not local: St. Vincent’s Academy Year of graduation: 2016
Best high school memory or advice you got: My best high school memory was getting my class ring my junior year. It is such a staple in Savannah so I was excited to be a part of something bigger than myself.
What did you want to do with your life at that point: I honestly had no idea what I wanted to do when I graduated high school – and that’s okay! That’s what the next few years are for – trying new things and finding what you are passion-ate for.
Advice to class of 2023: Life goes by in a flash, and it is easy to get caught up in your current stresses and worries, but remember to be present and enjoy the time of your life that you are in right now.
Liz Todd, chief appraiser for the Bryan County Tax Assessor’s office.
School: Claxton High School. Year: Class of 1988.
Best advice: The best advice was you don’t have to have it all figured out. Keep searching until you find your passion, college or not! I really didn’t know what I wanted to do but good parties were a top priority. The best advice from me is don’t be fooled by shiny things. Don’t get so caught up in material things that you don’t enjoy the journey!
Gloria Shearin, retired educator and active member of Richmond Hill Garden Club.
High school: Jefferson County High School in Monticello, Fla. Year of graduation: 1961.
Best high school memory: Teachers who encouraged me to learn and to go to college, even though few women in that rather backwoods area and in that time went to college. These people instilled a love of learning in me. I still enjoy learning.
. What did you want to do with your life at that point: I always looked forward to continuing to read and learn (as I do now), to be involved in the community in ways I could not before I retired, to have a circle of supportive friends (also something I could not do before I retired because there simply wasn’t enough time), and to engage in activities that give me pleasure — reading, gardening, enjoying family (I was 74 when our first grandchild was born).
Advice to class of 2022: After high school, find something to do that you can enjoy for many years. Set goals, but don’t beat yourself figuratively if you don’t reach all of these goals. Don’t select a career (notice I am not saying “job”) primarily on the basis of the salary you might expect. Realize that your attitudes and interests and goals will likely evolve over time (that notion may be unbelievable at this point in your life). Remember that the only one truly responsible for you is you — not your parents, your friends, your bosses, your community. And remember that once you have done something or said something, it can’t be taken back entirely.
Dawnne Henderson Greene, Richmond Hill city clerk:
High school attended: Coyle Cassidy High School, Taunton, Mass.
Year of graduation: 1995 Best high school memory or advice you got: Best advice was to set goals but accept that some plans will change.
What did you want to do with your life at that point in your life: Write a bestselling book (still a dream).
Advice to class of 2023: Take calculated risks.
Rafe Semmes, accountant and famous local columnist:
High school: “The Original” Savannah High School Year of graduation: Class of 1969
Best high school memory or advice you got: Many good friends What did you want to do with your life at that point in your life: Lawyer or Teacher Advice to class of 2023: Stay flexible! Life is full of surprises.
Luella M. Sanders, assistant vice president of regional community engagement, VyStar Credit Union, and president of the Bryan County NAACP:
School attended: Wayne County High School Year of graduation: 1988
Best high school memory or advice you got: Performing with the Wayne County High School Marching Band - 1st Chair Clarinet.
What did you want to do with your life at that point in your life: Accountant Advice to class of 2023: Keep God first, stay focused, work hard and give back to your community!
Brianne Yontz, United Way area director for Bryan County.
High school attended: Lake Forest High School, Lake Forest, Ill Year of graduation: 1979.
Best high school memory or advice you got: My Dad recommended (highly) to learn how to type. Back then, you actually could take a typing class in with an electric typewriter w/ blank keys. Learning how to type properly (not hunt and peck) is a skill I’m glad I have.
What did you want to do with your life at that point in your life: I wanted to be a tv news broadcaster.
Advice to the Class of 2023: The late, great author Pat Conroy sums it up way better than I ever could “Why do they not teach you that time is a finger snap and an eye blink, and that you should not allow a moment to pass you by without taking joyous, ecstatic note of it, not wasting a single moment of its swift, breakneck circuit?” Or in other words and it’s cliché: But here’s the deal: you’re going to get old and it’s going to happen SO quickly. Make sure you pack as much life as you can into each moment. Be kind, be grateful, help others, doing good where you can and leave the rest to God.
Lavetris Singleton, academic affairs coordinator for Savannah State:
High school attended: Suncoast Community High School, Riviera Beach, Fla. Year of graduation: 1996.
Best high school memory or advice you got: Spending time with friends was my best memory.
What did you want to do with your life at that point: I wanted to go to college so I could figure that out.
Advice to class of 2023: Constantly set goals so that you’re always working towards something. Give yourself grace when you make mistakes and try again.
Becky Crowe, Bryan County clerk of courts.
High school attended: Bryan County High School Year of graduation: 1987
Best high school memory or advice you got: My best memory is winning two state softball championships under Coach Albert Lodge. We won in my freshman year and senior year.
What did you want to do with your life at that point: I wanted to pursue my future career but at that time I really didn’t know for sure what I wanted to do. I was looking into the psychology field to possibly become a counselor but still had an open mind.
Advice to class of 2023: Success in life doesn’t come easy. Stay focused and believing in yourself. Be open to change and let God help direct your pathway. Live Simply, Love Much, and Laugh Often!
Best Wishes to the Class of 2023, You are the future!