By Miles Layton

PLYMOUTH — Braeden Chesson had made a promise.

“I told my mom something silly, but I meant every word of it,” the Washington County High School valedictorian told his graduating class Friday evening. “I said, ‘I want to be valedictorian in 2026.’ From that moment on, I locked in.”

I liked Chesson’s speech — more about the Panthers’ commencement will appear in the next edition of the Roanoke Beacon — congrats to WCHS Class of 2026!

A gallery of photos from commencement appears at the end of this story.

Chesson delivered the valedictorian address before a packed gymnasium as Washington County High School held commencement exercises for the Class of 2026. The program, held under the school’s motto of “Tradition, Pride, Excellence,” drew families, faculty, and community members to celebrate the graduating Panthers.

Washington County Schools Superintendent Dr. David O. White confirmed diplomas, while WCS Board of Education Chairman Sherri Blount Gilliam presided over the turning of the tassel. Assistant Principal Torrey Hines presented diplomas, and Principal Dianne Stokes presented the graduating class. Vice Chair Carlos Riddick delivered the invocation. The processional entered to “Pomp and Circumstance,” with colors presented by the Panthers’ JROTC Saber Team.

Subscribe — it’s free!

Valedictorian: ‘We Did Not Quit’

Chesson, who said he plans to attend North Carolina A&T State University to study business and entrepreneurship, acknowledged that the road to valedictorian was far from smooth.

“Now was it always easy? Absolutely not,” he said. “There were long nights, stressful days, pressure, doubt and moments where I felt tired mentally and physically. But I stayed focused and today, I can proudly say I kept that promise to myself.”

He told classmates that their shared journey was about more than academic achievement — it was about perseverance through hardship.

“Every single person sitting here today has a story,” Chesson said. “We all came into this building carrying different struggles, different pressures, and different responsibilities. Some of us had to grow up faster than others. Some of us had to fight battles people would never imagine. But no matter what came our way, we kept going.”

Chesson reflected on his own experience arriving at a new school feeling like an outsider.

“I remember coming into a new school feeling out of place, like everybody else already had their people, already knew who they were, while I was still trying to figure it out,” he said. “But over time, things changed. I found my place, we built friendships, made memories and turned this room into a family. And standing here today proves something important: We did not quit. We kept showing up even on the hard days.”

He offered special thanks to his parents, his aunt, his “Titi,” and a teacher who he said pushed the class daily with a simple directive.

“She stayed with us every single day telling us, ‘Lock in,’” Chesson said. “At the time, we probably got tired of hearing it, but looking back now, she was right.”

Chesson also paused to honor those no longer living — his great-grandmother, great-uncle, cousin Darlene Chance, and his coach and mentor, Coach Arndell.

“Even though they are no longer here physically, their love, wisdom and spirit are still with me today,” he said. “And I know they would be proud of this moment.”

Chesson, who said he hails from Brooklyn and Harlem, closed with a message about the limits of geography and circumstance.

“Where we come from does not limit us; our mindset does,” he said, quoting rapper J. Cole: “Keep running, your life can change in one year.”

“Class of 2026, we already proved we can overcome obstacles,” Chesson said. “Now it’s time to show the world exactly who we are and what we are capable of. Congratulations, Class of 2026. Showtime!”

Salutatorian Recognized

Star’ Jayla Chesson, who also introduced the keynote speaker, recognized salutatorian Dahlia Saleh during the ceremony.

“Although reserved in nature, Dahlia remains focused on academic excellence and high achievements throughout her high school career,” Chesson said. “She is also a CTE completer who excelled in her career pathway and demonstrated dedication both inside and outside of the classroom.”

Saleh received a sustained round of applause from the audience.

Keynote: ‘Your Current Situation Is Not Your Final Destination’

Shawn Walker Jr. of Elizabeth City delivered a very inspiring keynote address, drawing on his own journey as a college athlete, nonprofit founder, and peer support specialist working daily in Washington County’s school system.

Walker — the grandson of former superintendent Julius Walker and founder of the nonprofit Always Believe, Inc. — played Division I college basketball at George Washington University, Mercy University, and Moreau State University, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration. He now mentors at-risk youth through Washington County Schools in his role as a peer support specialist, employed through Princeton Behavioral Health.

Walker opened with a light correction after being introduced with references to his baseball career.

“As everybody can see, it’s basketball, not baseball,” he said. “But thank you though. You did a great job.”

Turning to the graduates, Walker told them that commencement marks not an ending but a reckoning with purpose.

“This is bigger than graduating high school,” he said. “This is about having a goal, a target, and putting in the work and ultimately achieving that goal. The work does not stop here. Dream big and achieve more. Limitation is an illusion. Remove the phrase ‘I can’t’ from your vocabulary.”

He warned graduates against allowing others’ doubts to become their own.

“If someone tells you something can’t be done, don’t worry about it,” Walker said. “Don’t allow their limitations to become your limitations. Your current situation is not your final destination.”

Walker addressed the divide between those who would leave Washington County and those who would stay, urging both groups to reject the idea that their hometown defined their ceiling.

“Whether you leave or stay, do not let anyone convince you that where you come from determines where you can go,” he said. “Looking out at this class and getting to know all of you, I know that there’s greatness sitting in these seats. You all have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the world — an opportunity to change your life, your family’s life, and every life that you touch when you leave this place.”

Walker described his own pre-dawn basketball workouts — at the gym by 5 a.m. before school, returning after, through weekends and holidays — as an example of the discipline required to outwork more naturally gifted competitors.

“I wasn’t the tallest player, I wasn’t the fastest, I wasn’t the most naturally gifted player,” he said. “But while they were sleeping, we were in the gym. Not because someone forced me to, but because I had a dream that was bigger than my current circumstances. I had faith. I had belief in a reality that had not yet materialized.”

He urged graduates to guard their attention and energy carefully, warning that distraction is the enemy of potential.

“There is someone else in the world who is laser focused on the very goals that you said you want,” Walker said. “These are the same people you will be competing with for jobs now and years to come.”

He closed by returning to his central theme.

“Tomorrow, no one is going to hand you your future,” Walker said. “No one is going to hand you success. No one is going to hand you your purpose. You will have to build it. You will have to nurture it. There will be obstacles. There will be setbacks. There will be moments where you question yourself. But remember this: your current situation is not your final destination.”

Gallery of Photos

Click to Enlarge