Officials with Christian County Public Schools put a key focus on its freshman Class of 2026 Wednesday morning, with its inaugural “Commitment to Graduation” Ceremony in the Stadium of Champions.
Tom Bell, chair of the CCPS school board, noted that Kentucky’s graduation rate sits, on average, at 94%. And with more than 800 students comprising the Christian County and Hopkinsville freshman student body, Bell added that if that trend were to continue — roughly 50 of this class won’t make it.
That’s something Bell and this administration don’t want to happen. They want students to realize full potential.
Bell asked classmates to shake hands in unity, and to make the promise of graduating in 2026.
Lacey Paige, of Christian County High School, offered an invocation, and introduced pastor of Henderson Memorial Baptist Church Bro. Ron Hicks — who offered words of wisdom and advice to the young and hopeful class.
Hicks said his own troubles through high school could’ve prevented him from being a Class of 1979 high school graduate, but that he channeled some discipline and turned his weaknesses into strengths.
Teachers, Hicks added, are the backbone of any district, and that they’re in it “to invest” in other’s lives.
Hicks further noted that students’ words and actions can instantaneously change the day for teachers and administrators.
The more than 800 students then closed with a verbal promise to graduate, and another invocation from Hopkinsville High School’s Lainey Stewart.
