BIRMINGHAM – Standing at the podium inside a crowded Bartow Arena on Tuesday night, May 21, Thompson High School Senior Class President Abigail Bess stood proudly as she addressed her classmates one final time in a moment that carried a weight of emotion for her.
She stood proudly because she knew her mom Deanna Bess, who passed away in 2021, was looking down proudly on her and the entire class of 2024 as they prepared for one of the biggest moments of their lives.
“When my mother passed away, it felt like the world stopped,” she said. “My mom was such a huge part of my life and in many of the lives in this room. She cared so much for each of us and loved being a part of our school. I can without a doubt say she would be so proud of each of you.”
An involved member of the school and community, Deanna saw this year’s senior class grow through their years in Alabaster City Schools, and Abigail rejoiced in that experience as she reflected on the graduating class’s journey to a special night. It was a night filled with inspiring words from city officials to Alabaster City Schools leaders and even the Voice of the Crimson Tide, Chris Stewart, who shared his own inspiring journey.
A member of a graduating class of 14 people, he joked that the front row at Thompson’s graduation was bigger than his entire senior class before addressing 563 seniors from “the best high school in Alabama” for his keynote address.
“It’s important what you’ve done to this point,” he said. “You have persevered. Young lady, who is your class president, I feel for you, losing your mother. I was a senior at Central Park when my mother passed away two blocks away from where we are tonight at UAB hospital. Dr. Kirkland, who the clinic was named for, was her surgeon. He’s wonderful, he’s the best, but it was her time. I had to persevere my senior year without my best friend.”
That, however, was just the start of Stewart’s journey of perseverance that served as a strong example of fighting for this year’s senior class.
Read more from the Shelby County Reporter
See a Google Photos Album of the Class of 2024 Graduation