Canton High School led commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2022 on Friday, May 20, at Norris Birdwell Stadium.

The stands were packed with loved ones and family members as the procession of graduates began with valedictorian Avery Nicks and salutatorian Katie Wilkerson leading the way.

Canton High School Principal Wes Rhoten welcomed those in attendance and introduced graduate Emory Rhoten who led the prayer.

Graduates joining the military, who have attended CISD their entire school career, honor students, National Honor Society students, students with perfect attendance in their entire school career and those who gave blood were recognized.

Salutatorian Address Salutatorian Katie Wilkerson reflected on her time spent at CISD and the memories she made.

“This is the closing of a big chapter of our lives … this is a big accomplishment and it is bittersweet to say goodbye to such an awesome school. Though it is sad, it is time to move on,” Katie said. “We’ve been through a lot together and without thinking about it, we went through important phases of our lives together.”

Katie said being a part of athletic and school sports were some of her most memorable memories.

“Our senior year, we finally got to be the big dogs. We got to sit in the front row of the student section and were also given off-campus lunch. Which we were the first and last class to get that for junior and senior year. The best times were Friday night football games, dancing along with our award-winning band and supporting our dirty birds and going to the famous Dairy Palace or Whataburger still dressed in the theme for that day. We all have different memories that we have made. These memories and lessons have shaped us into the men and women we are today. I am praying for a bright future for all of us.”

Valedictorian Address

Valedictorian Avery Nicks spoke about finding inspiration.

“When I think about inspiration, I think of role models, personal events, both good and bad and what drives us each day to be a better person. Several people I asked about who or what inspired them talked about their parents, grandparents and others mentioned people who possess certain characteristics. I was amazed by the common thread that each person has a specific motivation that drives them to be a better person.”

Avery went through her memories of attending Canton ISD including remembering a cricket invasion in junior high and a visit by a skunk, learning to two-step, and discovering who she was as a person and attending high school, which she said is the most vivid of her memory.

“Our class has had incredible accomplishments in the last four years, like the girls’ softball team making it to the third round of playoffs for the first time in school history, or the theater department advancing to area for the first time since 2003, the boys’ basketball team being three-time district champs, the band earning the golden silver medal at state. While we’ve had so many great moments, we have overcome a lot together as well. Here we all are, and I hope that that is an inspiration to those who follow us. In a few minutes, we will officially be done with high school forever, and on to the next chapter of our lives. As we move forward, I hope you will continue to find the people and events that inspire you to be a better version of yourself.”

The CISD school board then presented diplomas to the graduates as they walked across the stage. At the end of the ceremony, staff told the graduates to “Let ‘em fly,” and the graduates threw their caps into the air.