Columnists, COLUMNS--FEATURE SPOT, Opinion, Z - TOP HOME
 By  Staff Reports Published 
12:54 pm Thursday, May 21, 2020

To the graduates: ‘All the best in the next chapter’

Dear Senior Class of 2020,

Congratulations! You have reached a significant milestone in your lives.

None of us envisioned  the last two months of your senior year would end like they did. There are many special events and traditions you missed as a result of this unprecedented health crisis. It saddens me to know you were not able to experience and enjoy them.

Please know the health crisis DID NOT minimize all you have accomplished over the past 12 years. It brings me great joy to realize your many accomplishments and the lasting impact you will have on your schools. When I think about the Class of 2020, I’m reminded of a quote from Howard Schultz: “In times of adversity and change, we really discover who we are and what we’re made of.”

I wish you all the best in the next chapter of your lives.

The word unprecedented will forever be linked to 2020.  May the Franklin County Schools’ Class of 2020 accomplish unprecedented achievements throughout the rest of your lives.

Greg Hamilton

FCS Superintendent

Also on Franklin County Times
Copy that: Using ham radios to traverse the world
Franklin Living
Copy that: Using ham radios to traverse the world
Story by Brady Petree | Photos by Dan Busey 
May 6, 2026
Whether it be a tiny island in the Indian Ocean, a global superpower or a country with only a few thousand inhabitants, Russellville resident Christop...
Baseball gave Austin Bohannon confidence. Music gave him a voice.
Franklin Living
From the mound to the mic
Baseball gave Austin Bohannon confidence. Music gave him a voice.
Story by Brady Petree | Photos by Dan Busey 
May 6, 2026
Austin “Bo” Bohannon did not set out to be a musician. In fact, for much of his early life, music was something that existed on the sidelines. It was ...
Jeff Strickland chases fractions of sections, not fame
Franklin Living
From Red Bay to the winner’s circle
Jeff Strickland chases fractions of sections, not fame
By Maria Camp camp@franklincountytimes.com 
May 6, 2026
Jeff Strickland has spent most of his life chasing fractions of a second, but he has never chased fame. “I’m not a glory seeker,” Strickland said. “I ...
The sky turned black, and he lived to tell it
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
The sky turned black, and he lived to tell it
By Brady Petree, Addie Broadfoot For the FCT 
April 29, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — By the time April 27, 2011, arrived, Rodney Smith had already grown accustomed to the warnings. For days, sirens had gone off across F...
EMA warns: Don’t rely on storm sirens
Main, News, Russellville, ...
EMA warns: Don’t rely on storm sirens
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 29, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County EMA Director Mary Glass said outdoor warning sirens should not be residents’ primary alert system during severe weather...
Ex-principal recalls lost students, teacher
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
SEARED IN THEIR MEMORIES
Ex-principal recalls lost students, teacher
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
April 29, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — On the morning of April 27, 2011, Phil Campbell Elementary School (PCES) Principal Jackie Ergle was aware of the threat of severe weat...
West Elementary hosts Careers on Wheels
News, Russellville
West Elementary hosts Careers on Wheels
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 29, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — West Elementary students climbed into concrete trucks, explored emergency vehicles, and learned about skilled trades during the school’...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *