PHOTOS: Lindale High School Class of 2024 graduation

Published 5:35 am Sunday, May 26, 2024

About 300 Lindale High School seniors graduated Saturday at Eagle Stadium after inclement weather Friday evening forced its move.

Valedictorian Angelina Jansen said during her address that the ceremony was moved to Saturday so Taylor Swift could watch it while on tour in Europe. 

Salutatorian Charlotte McConathy told her fellow seniors that after graduation, they can make their own choices, and the best is yet to come.

“As I look around tonight, I see future doctors, artists, lawyers, teachers, scientists and business owners,” she said. “I see future parents. I see people who are practically jumping out of their seats ready for high school to be over, eager to see where life takes them. It is exciting for me to look around and know that every single one of us sitting here has the ability to go out in our world.”

McConathy told her fellow graduates to remember to thank those in their lives who helped them make it this far. She also advised graduates to not let mistakes define them.

“Remind yourself that mistakes and failures often provide the most opportunity for learning and growth,” she said. “So give yourself grace when things inevitably do not go as expected. Please remember this is not the end, though.”

One seat on the field at Eagle Stadium contained a photo of Lorenzo DeLeon as well as a cap and gown. The Class of 2024 saved the seat for DeLeon, who was killed in a car crash.