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COVID-19 has made the end of high school tough for the class of 2020, as they have had to miss out on their final quarter as a class, spring sports and prom, but the disease did not stop Lanett from holding its graduation. It’s 2020 class graduated 44 students on Saturday morning on Morgan-Washburn field.

The ceremony started at 10 a.m. with the students walking along the track to their seats, which were spaced six feet apart.

After opening with a prayer, Counselor YaShika Odom announced that the class earned more than $2.1 million in scholarships. Thirty-one of the 44 students graduated with at least one honor.

Of the 44 graduates, six are graduating and moving on to play sports in college. Cameron and Zameron Boozer are going to Jacksonville University to play basketball, while Quae Houston, Kristian Story, BJ Smith, Dametrious Johnson and Eric McCants will play football. Houston will play at Huntingdon, Story will play at Alabama, McCants will play at Garden City while Smith and Johnson will play at Point University.

One of those honor students, Ronesia Glaze, then read a poem that she had written, bringing up high school memories.

“Some of these moments may seem rather small, but it’s the little things that you’ll remember most of all,” Glaze said. “So put on your cap and your gown and stand tall. It’s graduation day, so celebrate it all.”

Following Glaze was Hailey Robinson, the class valedictorian. She spoke on the class’s journey to graduation.

“I would first like to say, it has been a long journey. From the internet being disconnected, to the who’s who photos and senior night being rescheduled, all the way to COVID-19 kicking us out of school. But we made it,” Robinson said.

She also talked about her family, both her own family and classroom famiy.

“Today is the turning point in each of our lives. No matter how we got to Lanett High, all that matters today is that we celebrate our triumphs and our achievements, both individually and as a school. We have learned, loved, laughed, got in trouble, cried and most of all matured together,” Robinson said. “Life is like a book. Once we reach the end of one chapter, another one is bound to open. Graduation marks the end of another extraordinary chapter in each of our lives. I’m certain that each of us will approach each chapter with the same boldness that we do now.”