The Madison Record - May 24, 2023

Graduates from James Clemens High School throw their caps in celebration during their graduation ceremony last week.

Photo by John Peck, Madison City Schools

Bob Jones High School choir director Randall Fields leads the graduating class of 2023 in the singing of the school’s alma

mater

Photo by John Peck, Madison City Schools

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By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - The James Clemens High School and Bob Jones High Schools graduations were held last Monday at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. Thousands of families and friends packed the VBC to celebrate the Class of 2023. At 1007 graduates (532 from James Clemens and 475 from Bob Jones), this year’s class is the largest senior class ever from Madison City Schools.

To mark the occasion, Madison City Schools released some impressive statistics:

• In just 25 years, Madison’s senior class grew from 333 in 1998-99 to a little more than 1,000 this year..

• Some 63 percent (634) were offered $69.2 million in scholarships, worth an average of $109,148 each. Approximately $26.6 million-worth of scholarships had been accepted near the end of the school year so far – an average of nearly $42,000.

Bob Jones High School graduated

seniors last week at the VBC.

Brianna Hall (above) was one of 532 graduating seniors from James Clemens High School.

As seniors prepared to strut across the stage to get their diploma, they had the chance to stroll the halls of their elementary school for a walk down memory lane recently. It’s a tradition in Madison where graduating seniors who attended elementary school here take part in their school’s Senior Stroll. The younger students high-five’d and cheered the older students as they paraded by in the caps and gowns. Some faculty would be overheard on the sides remarking how grown up their former students are. We shared some photos in last week’s issue, but here are some more as we continue our focus on the Class of 2023.

are some photos from last week’s graduation ceremonies for Bob Jones High School and James Clemens High School. Congratulations Class of 2023! You can check out more photos in the upcoming June issue of Madison Living Magazine (www.madisonlivingmagazine.com).

A major life change

By BECKY MILLER God’s Lemonade Stand

See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19

NIV Bible Gateway

Graduations often start with pre-school, kindergarten, 8th grade, high school, then college, and beyond. It is a major milestone in the life of the child and parent as well. An indication you are growing up. Commencement is a word you might also see, and it indicates a beginning such as a new stage of life. It is a time for celebration.

Many tears are shed at graduation/commencement as the graduate is leaving behind friends and pursuing a new future as an adult. In high school especially you may feel like you will never see friends

again. You gain new relationships in your next phase of life often seemingly closer than the ones you are leaving behind but there is something special and unique about that high school bonding take it from a lady who has celebrated her fifty-year high school class reunion in 2021.

Challenges lie ahead.

For some, they will marry their high school sweetheart. Others may join the armed forces. Yet others move on to colleges and universities. Some jump right into trade school or begin a job close to home. Whatever you choose or chose to know that God guides you along the path. Don’t shut him out of your life. This is a challenging, sometimes lonely time when your faith will be needed more than ever. There are Christian ministries at the universities, so I urge you to check them out before checking out a fraternity beer party. Stay close to family and keep

See LIFE CHANGE Page 8A

From bumper pads to graduation gown

By DAWN REED

Graduation is a wonderful time-even through the tears.

Teenagers are accomplishing great milestones, while parents are trying not to overthink the future.

It seems like it was just the other day when my husband and I were picking out bumper pads for a crib. We were filled with excitement. A baby was coming soon. One that would change our lives forever. After our baby girl was born, little old ladies were drawn to me. They all felt compelled to say the same thing: “Honey, enjoy ‘em while they’re little.”

I thought impatiently to myself, “If I live!” I hadn’t had a decent meal in months. My cold food was warm and my hot food was cold. My little cherub wanted to be held most of the time and curiously cried during all of my meals. She never slept all night long until she was 12no kidding.

I thought a few times about going back to the hospital where she was born. When I left there, they forgot to give me the handbook that held all of the important instructions.

I consulted the almanac for when to take her bottle away and her pacifier. (Were the signs supposed to be in the knees or bowels? Or was that for potty training?) I’m thrilled to say that even though potty training was hard, we conquered it, too. Starting school was more traumatic

for me than for her. In kindergarten, I realized I DID want to choose her friends.

To be honest, there many times I didn’t think I’d make it. Years ago, I found that I was muttering to myself, “I can’t do this.” It began to wear me down. I felt guilty because I wasn’t perfect. I berated myself for not be as patient as I should have been. Then one day, I read Philippians 4:13 and it just hit me: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Clearly this was specifically written to young mothers. I memorized that crucial Bible verse right away. I replaced my old words with a new mantra: “We can

do this.” (I was talking about Jesus and me.) It made a huge difference!

The birthday of my daughter is a double blessing to me now. She is celebrating another year of life; I am celebrating another year of God’s strength and grace.

The little old ladies also used to say, “They’ll grow up before you know it.” They were right about everything. Although it seems like yesterday we were buying our first bumper pads, last month we bought a prom dress. Next will be a graduation gown.

My head spins with all the new adventure before us. One thing I know: the Christ of Philippians 4:13 will help us through all of that, too!

Madison American Legion Post 229 had a busy weekend leading up to Memorial Day. Members of the Post, Auxiliary and local scouts, along with family and friends, braved the rain to place flags in all four of Madison’s cemeteries on the graves of veterans. The Post will host the annual Memorial Day ceremony on May 29. Opening at 11 a.m., the event will show respect for individuals who lost their lives in military service. The ceremony will be held in Captain Jesse Ollie Wikle Jr. Veterans Memorial Park at the east extent of Front Street downtown. Legionnaires are inviting all residents to attend.

Life change

Continued from page 6A

your mind focused on ‘the things above’.

PRAYERS: Thank you Lord for those who are graduating this year. May you guide their paths and keep them strong and courageous no matter what they choose. Help those who did not finish pursue their GED and stay close to them.

Many may be brokenhearted if so comfort them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God’s Lemonade Stand is written by former Madison resident Becky Miller. Her daily devotions appear on Facebook or at godslemonadestand.blogspot.com.

• Both schools racked up countless awards in academics, athletics and the arts. Plans from end-of-theschool-year surveys show:

• 69 percent plan to attend a four-year institution.

• 18.6 percent a two-year institution.

• 6.7 percent workforce/ gap year.

• 4 percent undecided.

• 2.7 percent military. Of college bound students, Bob Jones graduates are bound for 78 colleges spread across 25 states. James Clemens graduates are bound for 74 colleges across 22 states and one country outside the United States.

Congratulations!

In this issue of The Madison Record, we pay a special salute to every graduating senior from Bob Jones and James Clemens starting on page 1B. On May 31, we will feature the seniors from Sparkman, Madison Academy and JPII.