1 of 13

Maplesville High School graduates wait for the ceremony to start. (JOYANNA LOVE/ ADVERTISER)

Aniston Bolding gives her valedictorian speech at MHS graduation. (JOYANNA LOVE/ ADVERTISER)

Matthew Nesbitt gives his valedictorian speech at MHS graduation. (JOYANNA LOVE/ ADVERTISER)

A graduate receives his diploma at the Maplesville High School graduation. (JOYANNA LOVE/ ADVERTISER)

Matthew Walls gives his salutatorian speech at MHS graduation. (JOYANNA LOVE/ ADVERTISER)

By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Seniors at Maplesville High School moved their tassels and entered the next stage of life at graduation on May 24.

Valedictorians Aniston Bolding and Matthew Nesbitt reflected on their time at MHS and encouraged the 33 graduates to look toward the future.

Bolding thanked “our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” and the friends and family members present for helping the graduates make it to this point

“Mr. (Joe) Dennis, I would personally like to thank you for being a mentor to me and for being selfless and always letting your students shine,” Bolding said.

She said she plans to stay in contact with the agriscience teacher until the FFA state convention and most likely even beyond.

She recounted special moments for the class and shared her A-Z of advice for the future.

“Attitude is everything,” Bolding said. “B: Believe in yourself, C: Chase your dream, D: Don’t blink. Life goes faster than you think.”

She encouraged students to take on challenges, trust in God, keep motives in focus and inspire others.

Nesbitt peppered his speech with humor.

“Tonight’s the night,” Nesbitt said. “The one night we have been looking forward to since kindergarten … We’ve earned the right to leave and never come back.”

He encouraged the graduates to remember that memories are built a day at a time.

“The path is not clear after high school … I hope we all find our way,” Nesbitt said.

He ended on a serious note thanking the friends, family, fellow students and teachers and staff, especially Kerri Payne and Lacey Wallace, who helped him make it to graduation.

Salutatorian Matthew Walls thanked God and thanked those who had helped him get to this point. He shared his answer to the riddle of how to have a successful life.

“The R in the riddle of life stands for respect,” Walls said.

He said respecting those “older and wiser” was something his parents and grandparent had instilled in him.

The other essentials to success, according to Walls, are integrity, discipline, devotion, loyalty and enthusiasm.

“Life is too short to always look at the negative or bad things that happen,” Walls said.

He said this senior class has been through a lot together and have “learned what love really means and who our true friends are.”

Each senior creates a ceiling tile to be placed in the ceiling of the school. Walls said he put his life verse Romans 8:37, “In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us,” on his tile.

He encouraged the graduates to “find a life verse for you.”

School Superintendent Tommy Glasscock thanked the community for its support of the school and coming together as a family in recent weeks.

He challenged the graduates to consider staying in the Maplesville area or returning to it after college and “growing your community because you are truly a Maplesville Red Devil.”

More News

The Clanton Advertiser wins 10 awards at annual APA Banquet

From Clanton With Praise: Historic hymn inspired by conversation in local hotel

Homegirl Industry requesting public’s help during Hotel Wilson rehabilitation

Grande Opening: Valle Grande opens doors at Clanton restaurant