Editor’s Note: Today, The Daily Leader continues publication of area high school valedictorian and salutatorian graduation speeches. The following address is from Loyd Star salutatorian Reagan Myers.

 Good evening ladies and gentleman:

On behalf of the Loyd Star graduating class of 2014, I would like to extend a cordial welcome to the administrators, faculty, staff, family and friends to our commencement exercises.

First of all, I would like to thank God for granting us the wisdom to reach this milestone in our lives. To the administration, faculty and staff, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to you for your devotion to our education.

To our parents, we wish to thank you for the love, support and sacrifice that you have given to ensure that we reach this accomplishment in our lives. We especially thank you for the guidance that you have provided in molding us into the young men and women we are today.

To our friends, we are grateful to you for always being there for us and for your encouragement.

I would also like to thank a very special woman who has impacted my life tremendously. Even though her favorite thing to tell us was, “You should have already learned this,” she still has taught me so much from math to wonderful life lessons. We have had ups, downs, laughs and tears with particular person, but Coach Jan Delaughter, thanks for all you did for your trigonometry class. We appreciate you and love you.

Before I go any further, I would like to recognize a few individuals that mean so much to me, and that is my daddy, mama and sisters. These four individuals have done so much for me and I do not know where I would be without them.

I especially want to give a huge thank you to my mama. She has always pushed me to do my best and excel in everything I do. I will never forget how she would stay up late to study with me or even help me with a project. She has been there with me through the laughs and cries. I am so blessed for you to be my mama.

It seems as only yesterday that we were entering kindergarten. These 13 years have been great. Between dodge ball with Coach Presley, Wet-n-Wild, pep rallies, Ms. Gary’s 100 question tests, algebra II “know-it” notes, all of our senior events and, wait, who could forget about Mrs. Franklin’s class pet, Gatsby? We have enjoyed the experiences.

Now we are about to graduate and begin a new chapter of our lives. Behind me are some of the strongest, most courageous and loving men and women that I know. I am truly blessed to have been able to grow up and mature with most of these unique individuals.

Yes, we have lost a few of our classmates along the way, but we have also gained a few. I am thankful for all the memories that I have made with each and every one of you. The journey has been long and hard, but we have met with challenges head on. We made it, class of 2014! I wish each and every one of you the best. Congratulations!

I would like to close with one of my favorite Bible verses. Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path.”

I challenge each of you to hold firm to your faith and principles. May God bless you.