Russell County High School freshmen have begun wrapping up their first year of high school by looking toward to 2014 - the year they will walk across the stage and receive their diplomas.

On Tuesday, May 3rd, freshmen gathered in the auditorium to listen to Mr. Darren Gossage, RCHS principal, deliver an inspiring speech entitled "Who You Want to Be."

Students discovered the merits of graduation, including future earnings for high school graduates in comparison to those that drop out. He also spoke about the significance of attendance, and more importantly, the need for students to challenge themselves to learn all they can possibly learn each and every day.

At the conclusion of the speech, students were asked to commit themselves to graduation.

With the aid of teachers, students had their hands painted red or blue and committed by stamping their handprints and signing their names to one of two ten-foot banners emblazoned with "Class of 2014." These banners will be hung above the students' lockers throughout their high school career, as a visual reminder of their pledge and the decision they made as freshmen to see their names on diplomas.

At the completion of freshmen year, RCHS freshman DOCK teachers traditionally organize a massive tie-dye operation with t-shirts proclaiming the year of graduation.

This year the group did an exceptional job, and their Class of 2014 tie-dye shirts were works of art. Students were asked to wear their shirts on May 3rd for a group photo; following the speech and banner pledge, students were ushered into the gym, and using all 214 freshmen, created a "14," symbolizing their promise as a group to graduate together three years from now.

It seems like a short time ago we began this year with an open house, and now this freshman class is poised to become the sophomore class.

It is our greatest hope that they will take the knowledge and experiences gained from their first year of high school to become even more successful in the years to come, and that the handprints and signatures that hang in their hallways will serve as a visual reminder of the goals and hopes they committed to as freshmen.