Highland County Public Schools

MONTEREY — Highland High School graduated 18 seniors Saturday, June 6, in a bittersweet ceremony full of memories and gratitude, lessons and admonitions.

“It is an exceptionally academically high-achieving class,” noted principal Tim Good, as he prepared to hand out the diplomas, which he described as his favorite part of the job.

Fifteen of the students were honor graduates, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. “That is most certainly a record,” Good said.

Seventeen received a career and technical seal on their diplomas; seven achieved a governor’s seal; and seven were early college scholars.

Valedictorian Caleb Blagg even earned an associate’s degree from Blue Ridge Community College while attending Highland High School.

In his address, Blagg said he is troubled by growing sentiment that HHS has a subpar education experience, which he refuted with examples of his and his classmates’ successes. “A student at HHS has access to a range of in-person AP classes, an award-winning personal finance program, Valley VoTech, just about any online college course you can think of, and more,” Blagg said.

He also noted his fellow seniors’ athletic achievements, with class president Colleen Adams and salutatorian Luke Baxter prepared to head to state track competition right after the graduation ceremony ended.

“Look at what we’ve done and tell me again that this school is lacking,” Blagg said. “I’ll admit that it’s not perfect, and we have our problems; but if you approach anything looking for perfection, you will be sorely disappointed.”

Blagg ascribed unreasonable expectations as the cause of some students’ and parents’ dissatisfaction and noted guidance counselor Megan Obaugh as an example. He called Obaugh the “most underappreciated person in the school system,” noting the many roles she filled at all levels. “I guarantee that without her support, I would not be up here today,” he said. “However, despite understanding how busy she is, people still complain when she is not able to meet their specific needs at any given moment, instead of giving her any grace.

“Now, Mrs. Obaugh’s leaving, and I expect that she’ll finally get the appreciation she deserves as we look back at what we let go,” Blagg said.

Baxter’s speech also focused on unreasonable expectations of perfection that students have. “Like many people, I used to think success meant becoming perfect, and figuring everything out to the point that I wouldn’t even have to think about it,” Baxter said. “I thought that if I worked hard enough, I’d finally hit that goal.”

A low score on his first calculus test of the year made him reevaluate. “There is a funny thing about perfection,” he said. “It always stays just out of reach.” Baxter said after that low grade, he could have let it define him, but he instead chose to seek help and keep improving. He noted hard work always comes before success.

“Every accomplishment we celebrate today has a story behind it,” Baxter said. He thanked teachers and staff, friends and family for their support. He especially thanked retiring teacher Michael Warf. “His influence has allowed me to become a more efficient and creative thinker in all of my classes,” Baxter said.

“As the Highland High School Class of 2026 moves forward, I hope we all take with us one simple thing: success isn’t reserved for people who never fail; it is earned by those who refuse to stop trying,” Baxter said. “Because, as the saying goes, ‘A winner is a loser who tried one more time.’”

As Adams introduced Good as keynote speaker, she thanked him for his 11 years as principal. Good is moving to Weyers Cave with his family this summer. “Mr. Tim Good has done a remarkable job as principal here,” Adams said. “He will be greatly missed.”

“My goal was not to get choked up, but she didn’t help me much,” Good said of Adams’ introduction.

He described turning to YouTube for inspiration as he planned his speech, but “I landed on my love of the game I love, which as you know, is baseball.”

Good then brought out some props — his son’s baseball jersey, with the No. 11, especially poignant as Good has been principal for 11 years. He showed off a baseball he has had in his office, plus a ball cap.

Good reminded the class they were second-graders when he first came to Highland County Public Schools. Even as high school principal, he often went on field trips with the class as his son Elijah Good was in that class. He recalled trips to Williamsburg and Jamestown in fourth grade, paddling on the lake in sixth grade, and visiting the nation’s capital, complete with a professional baseball game, when the students were in eighth grade.

“We spent lots of time together, whether you remember it or not,” Good told the seniors. He remembered the students riding in the bus, singing and playing, learning and having fun. “Most importantly, you began your journey of discovery and learning, exploring and growing. “You will always be a Ram,” Good said, noting the school’s mascot. “I’ll always be a Ram. We will always be Rams.”

Good used the letters of the word “Rams” to share his message.

R — be ready! Good noted the graduates had already been preparing for their futures, but that challenges come when you least expect them.

“Being ready does not mean having every answer or a perfect plan,” Good said. Everyone needs to be willing to grow, change, and adapt, and thank those people who helped them become ready, he said.

A — be active! Good quoted Albert Einstein: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

“Success comes from showing up, working hard, and showing initiative,” Good said. “We must not wait for someone else to create the future we want.”

M — do something meaningful! “Meaning comes from living according to our values,” Good said. He added that people probably wouldn’t remember all the awards and honors the students received, but they would remember the good things they did for their community. “You were born to make a difference.”

S — serve others! Good quoted Mahatma Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

He urged the graduates to look for opportunities to help and serve others. “Service does not require a special position or title,” Good said, but is something everyone can do.

“I, as your principal, am so proud of you,” Good said. “We, as a Ram nation, support you.”