BY KARISSA MILLER

Northview Academy celebrated its 51 graduating seniors during a ceremony Friday afternoon at Mac Gray Auditorium.

Despite the pressure of busy schedules, many of the seniors persevered to cross the finish line.

Student speaker Landen Bost, who knows this struggle all too well, captivated the audience’s attention with his heartfelt delivery of his graduation speech.

“Dear faculty, family, friends and fellow graduates, as of today, we stand on the edge of a new chapter,” he said, pausing for a second. “It’s a really hard message for me.”

He was met with supportive understanding and encouragement from the crowd.

“It’s an honor to stand before you today. This moment isn’t just about me, but it’s about all of us,” Bost said.

“Chase your dreams with passion. Embrace failure as part of growth. Never stop striving to be the best version of yourself,” he said in closing.

Student speaker Thomas Langston encouraged his classmates to choose a career that matches their personality and talents.

“The best career isn’t one that chooses you, but one that becomes you,” he said.

Langston said he started out at South Iredell High, but by his second year was getting into trouble. As a result, he was transferred to Northview.

“At first, I didn’t want to go, but when I started, I figured out it was a good decision,” he recalled.

Melissa Wilson, the last student speaker, said she is grateful for the smaller class sizes and caring teachers at Northview Academy.

“I wouldn’t be up here without God, the school, and the amazing staff who believe in me. Northview may have given me a second chance,” Wilson said.

She said that she made friends and that her culinary class was a positive learning experience.

“I found my happy place in the kitchen,” Wilson said. “I even had to educate a few of my classmates who thought salt and pepper was the only seasoning.”

“We’ve come a long way,” she said. “The only thing that can stop you is you.”

Guest speaker Rev. Bobbie Samuels, the pastor at South Iredell A.M.E. Zion Church, said that it was hard to deliver her message after the three students speakers.

She told the graduates that they are walking into a new season, and the most important decision they can make is to trust God and the plan he has for each person.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your way, submit to him and he will make your path straight,” Samuels said, paraphrasing Proverbs 3:5-6.

Principal Eric Babbitt presented the diplomas to grads with the help of Collen Guerin. Babbitt recognized school counselor Mary Satterfield for 40 years in education. She will retire after this year and has been a constant at the school, he said.

Special guests onstage included Iredell-Statesville Schools Superintendent Jeff James and I-SS Chief Student Services Officer Shayla Savage.

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