Newcastle Graduation
On May 23, 2020, Newcastle Valedictorian, Bryanna Nickel, daughter of Dr. Tony and Jina Nickel of Graham, returned to her high school for the first time since her spring break started on March 6. Standing at a podium on her high school football field, Nickel gave a speech filled with hope and thanksgiving. For all that the seniors of 2020 have lost, Nickel was not deterred. As she spoke, she reminded everyone in the football stands that we are not promised tomorrow. Scattered with scriptures and a few humorous stories about her years at NHS, Nickel delivered an address which reminded everyone to be thankful for the opportunity to have a graduation and to be thankful for the simple things in life. Nickel spoke of classmate and close friend, Morgan Larance, who died last July. This loss reminds her that we can’t foresee the future, but we can enjoy today. Nickel encouraged her classmates to “be kind, find love, dance for no reason at all, travel and take lots of pictures, enjoy sunsets and rainbows, find careers you enjoy and in which you can find success, share your faith, and always be authentic.” She concluded her speech with these parting words, “Go live the life for which you were created.”