Boyd graduates 17 seniors
There was laughter, reflection and plenty of tears Thursday night as Boyd Christian School celebrated the Class of 2026 during commencement ceremonies at Central Church of Christ surrounded by family, friends, teachers and supporters who helped shape the graduates along the way.
Principal Donna Newby welcomed the graduates with encouragement and faith-filled guidance as the seniors prepared to step into their futures.
“To the Class of 2026, congratulations. It’s time - you made it,” said Newby. “I’m confident you’re ready to navigate your future.”
Newby also challenged the class to continue leaning on their faith after graduation.
“A thumbprint on the Bible is more significant than a footprint on the moon. Be strong, be courageous and I hope you always seek guidance from God in your life,” said Newby.
The ceremony highlighted a close-knit graduating class filled with athletes, honor students and legacy families who spent their entire academic careers at Boyd. Dara Stubblefield, the salutatorian and one of five Legacy Award recipients, reflected on the unique bond shared by the class during her speech.
Stubblefield joked early that she “had to ask the valedictorian to check the grammar” of her speech before turning her focus toward memories built during her 13 years at Boyd.
“I want to thank my classmates. The bond we share is unique,” said Stubblefield. “Whether you’ve been around for two years or the whole time, I think you’ve been around from the start.”
Stubblefield recalled having classes of just seven students from third through eighth grade before what she called “the great migration” expanded the student body. Even through the changes, she said the classmates around her became “friends for life.”
Her final message centered on faith and trusting God’s direction moving forward.
“No matter what your plans are, God’s plans are better,” said Stubblefield. “If He’s your priority, all things will fall in place.”
Valedictorian Dani Terry focused her speech on confronting fear while embracing the future. Terry opened with humor by admitting, “I’m quite afraid,” while referencing the Throne of Glass series before discussing how fear often accompanies important moments in life.
“We won’t become fearless - being unafraid isn’t about not feeling fear,” said Terry. “Everybody should redefine fear and never face it alone.”
Longtime Boyd teacher Chris Perry, who has taught at the school since 2007, delivered the commencement address and mixed humor, music, scripture and emotion throughout his message.
Perry opened by joking about asking seniors to deliver the speech moments before the ceremony, saying Jaxon Grissom “would figure it out,” Cydney Jane Perry “would do a cartwheel,” Anslee McCrary “would fall off the stage in the most graceful way possible” and Jack Rhoton “would just laugh.”
Using the story of Hannah and Samuel from 1 Samuel as the foundation of his message, Perry spoke about the balance graduates must learn between independence and honoring the families who supported them.
“You’re not magically independent tomorrow,” Perry told the graduates. “But you have a yearning to be independent.”
Perry centered his speech around balancing “honor and hunger,” “fear and ferocity” and “forethought and floating,” encouraging students to embrace life’s changes even when plans don’t unfold perfectly.
“Life is about how you deal with changes - About how you can float,” said Perry.
Perry closed by reminding the graduates they would always have support waiting for them at home.
“When you don’t have anywhere to go, you can always come home,” said Perry. “That’s what family does.”
The Boyd Christian School Class of 2026 included Clayton Akers, Macie Bush, Jaxon Grissom, Jace Matheney, Anslee McCrary, Lowan Mooneyham, Zoe Oliver, Cydney Jane Perry, Bryant Ralph, Jack Rhoton, Jaren Richardson, Jillian Richardson, Mark Simpson, Dara Stubblefield, Dani Terry, Eli Vassar and Weston Wright.
