Decatur grads cross stage to finish long journey

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Hats fly as the Decatur High Class of 2022 celebrates its newfound freedom during the 2022 Decatur High School Commencement Ceremony at the Cathedral of the Ozarks on the campus of John Brown University in Siloam Springs on Friday.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Hats fly as the Decatur High Class of 2022 celebrates its newfound freedom during the 2022 Decatur High School Commencement Ceremony at the Cathedral of the Ozarks on the campus of John Brown University in Siloam Springs on Friday.

DECATUR -- It was a night for which many seniors across the country waited for 13 years, the end of a long, long journey and the beginning of an even longer journey over the next 50-plus years. For 33 seniors at Decatur High School, the traditional walk across the stage marked the end of their childhood and the beginning of adulthood.

Because of construction on Peterson Gym in Decatur, the senior class of 2022 was forced to walk in a different location, for the first time in over 10 years. But the setting was perfect for this transition. This year's commencement ceremony took place in the beautiful Cathedral of the Ozarks on the campus of John Brown University in Siloam Springs on Friday night.

One hour prior to the start of the ceremony, the seniors gathered one last time in a small recital hall just downstairs from the cathedral. There the kids made last-minute adjustments to their wardrobe (donning ties, shoes, caps and gowns). For senior class sponsor James Garner, having to help some of the boys tie ties was just part of the preparation that he and fellow class sponsors Jayme Burden and Tajhe Turner had to perform to get the class ready for their big night in the spotlights.

At 7 p.m, the doors in the back of the cathedral were closed. Silence fell over the near-capacity crowd as the moment was at hand for the beginning of the end of the long journey. Jesse Wyatt Owens, Decatur High School band director, watched the doors in the back of the room for the signal to start the program.

Then Garner opened the door and gave the signal and the high school band began playing the traditional graduation processional, "Pomp and Circumstance" by Elgar. From either side of the two main isles, the senior class emerged and the proceedings were in full swing.

Leading the two lines of seniors were salutatorian Poli Xiong on one side and valedictorian Martha Smith-Gomez on the other. When the two reached the three middle pews in front, which were reserved for the seniors, Xiong and Smith-Gomez left the line for their seats on the stage while their classmates took their seats.

The proceeding began with a welcome address by Steven Watkins, Decatur School District superintendent, which was followed by the national anthem performed by the Decatur High School band.

Xiong delivered his salutatorian address, based on his long journey that culminated in the moment at hand. Of course, it would not be a salutatorian address without thanking his parents, sibling, classmates and teachers for their help and encouragement along the way.

Then it was Smith-Gomez' turn to deliver the valedictorian address. Smith-Gomez delivered a somewhat different speech which was on the theme of "Just Give Up." She talked about all the times she heard people say, "You can't do that," "It is impossible to achieve," and, of course, "Just Give Up." Halfway through the speech, Smith-Gomez turned it around and talked about working to achieve your goal, achieve your dreams and not letting others tell you to just give up. Nothing is impossible with hard work and determination, Smith-Gomez said as she concluded her address.

Prior to the presentation of the candidates for graduation, which was presided over by Toby Conrad, high school principal, the seniors presented white roses to the people (parents, siblings, friends and teachers) who stayed with them through the 13-year process. After the presentation-of-roses ceremony, it was finally time to make the long walk that the 33 seniors waited for, to receive their diplomas.

As Conrad read each candidate's name, they took the stage and were presented with their diplomas by a Decatur Board of Education member, beginning with Ike Owens and followed by Karen Davis, Darleen Holly, Amy Brooks and Kevin Smith.

The Class of 2022 gathered for the final time. The words that each member had been waiting to hear were delivered by Watkins.

"Having fulfilled the requirements by the State of Arkansas," Walkins said, "I now present to you the Decatur High School Class of 2022."

And after that, a sea of blue filled the air in the cathedral as the graduates threw their caps into the air, and the commencement ceremony was complete.

Earlier in the day at the commencement practice. Watkins gathered the group together and asked them one important question.

"What were the two things you first learned when you started kindergarten?" Watkins asked.

Waylon Harrington replied, "The ABCs."

"No, events before that," Watkins replied, to which Harrington had no response.

"The first two things you learned were how to write your name and how to walk in a straight line," Watkins explained. "Today you have come full circle."

photo Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS As Toby Conrad (left) announces his name, Jose Suarez begins the end of a long 13-year journey as he walks across the stage to pick up his diploma on Friday night. Suarez and 32 of his classmates participated in the 2022 Decatur High School Commencement Ceremony at the Cathedral of the Ozarks in Siloam Springs.
photo Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Martha Smith-Gomez delivers an inspiring valedictorian address to her classmates, family and friends gathered at the Cathedral of the Ozarks for the 2022 Decatur High School Commencement Ceremony on the campus of John Brown University in Siloam Springs Friday night.
photo Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Poli Xiong delivers the 2022 salutatorian address to his fellow classmates, family and friends assembled in the Cathedral of the Ozarks on the campus of John Brown University in Siloam Springs Friday night.
photo Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Enrique Rubi looks for the back of his cap as he and 33 of his classmates prepare to do the walk during the Decatur High School 2022 Commencement Ceremony at John Brown University in Siloam Springs Friday night.
photo Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Mario Cardona (center), Seth Fletcher-Main and Kaitlyn Funk march to their seats to the Decatur High School band’s rendition of "Pomp and Circumstance" during the 2022 Decatur High School Commencement Ceremony Friday night. This year’s graduation took place in the Cathedral of the Ozarks at John Brown University in Siloam Springs.
photo Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Jada Wilmoth (left) hands a flower to one of her family members during the presentation of roses ceremony which was part of the 2022 Decatur High School graduation ceremony in Siloam Springs Friday night.