No one could see the challenge that clung closely to Candace Kieffer’s heels. 

Kieffer, one of the most decorated athletes in Effingham County High School history, felt its relentless presence, however. The invisible foe — a high level of stress — chased her around area tracks, cross country courses and even into the classroom.

“I am a hard worker and I’ve worked hard and diligently for everything that I have achieved,” Kieffer said during Friday night’s commencement ceremony at Rebel Field in Springfield.

Despite her industriousness, Kieffer, the University of Miami-bound salutatorian, needed allies to conquer the insidious enemy that hounded her for months.

“It is no coincidence that I stand before you today,” she said. “Not because of my grades or my achievements, but I stand before you today (as) a story of a broken, hopeless, essentially helpless student who didn’t have the desire to continue and the student who seemingly had it all but thought it would be easier to give in and give up. I’m here today because I feel that my personal storm is the reason I stand before you today.

“God has bigger plans for my story — a story that He wants me to share before this crowd to offer a hope and a future.”

Kieffer then used Genesis 50:20 as the basis of her message.

“... What was meant for evil against me, God meant it for good to bring about this present result to save lives,” she said. “I have a story to tell that was likely orchestrated and perfectly timed for someone in this specific crowd today. I have dealt with anxiety and fearfulness as long as I can remember.

“We all have worries about our futures, after all.”

 Kieffer said she entered her senior year burdened by overwhelming pressure to succeed academically and athletically.

“I can’t exactly say what started it all,” she said “... Whatever it stemmed from, my anxiety was triggered and it seemed to worsen the bottled-up emotions, inner turmoil and fear that finally came to a boiling point.

“Hopelessness bled into every aspect of my life ...”

Kieffer, who holds multiple school records in track and cross country, said things that used to be easy for her became a difficult chore. 

“I exploded and found myself in full panic — pacing, crying, shaking, wringing my hands,” she said. “I knew I needed help before I completely gave in.”

Initially, Kieffer turned to her parents.

“I admitted defeat and asked for help,” she said. “I told them (about) the pressure I felt to succeed. I told them of the pressure I felt to succeed, which was once a drive but now a barrier.”

Kieffer said her parents cried and prayed with her throughout the night of her revelation. They sought ways to assist her, including getting advice from her pediatrician and two pastors.

“Not (my pastor) because I was too embarrassed to admit my shortcomings to someone I actually knew,” Kieffer said. “Ultimately, we found a Christian counseling group and a trusted professional who was able to put names to my emotions and fears, and reassure me that I was not alone and what I was feeling was actually fairly common.”

Kieffer’s personal crisis and her recovery from it caused her too miss more school days than ever before.

“But brick by brick, I am building back my self-worth and my belief in who I am and whose I am,” she said.

Kieffer admitted that anxiety may lurk in her shadow forever but numerous counseling sessions have given her the tools to deal with it.

“I will not let it dominate me or overwhelm me,” she said. “I have learned that there is strength in not concealing my emotions to the point where you collapse. Instead, there is strength in knowing that it is OK to reach out for help when you need it most in every situation.

“This acknowledgement requires more courage and strength than the constant battle I was waging to keep it out of sight. Building strong support systems, mentors and friends that can help is crucial.”

Kieffer said statistics indicate that one-third of the U.S. population is plagued by anxiety and depression.

“That’s one-third of our graduating class and one-third of the crowd gathered today (that is) just like me,” she said. 

Kieffer closed her remarks by encouraging those afflicted with anxiety to talk to someone about it. She even offered her own ears.

“Just know that what your mind is telling you — that you are not enough, that you are worthless and it would be easier to give up — is a lie,” she said. “God has designed a purpose for your life and your life has meaning. We are in this together.

“Do not suffer alone.”

Kieffer’s tumult revealed to her that she can shine brighter as a vessel than an athletic standout.

“My mission, like a star, is to light a path for better understanding,” she said. “I learned that my previous successes are not final, my past and present failures are not fatal, and I have the courage to continue to chase my dreams.

“Class of 2022, we are destined for greatness if we can identify a path that we are all supposed to travel to become who God intended us to be.”

Effingham County Valedictorian J.D. Coleman followed Kieffer on the stage. His speech also focused on relationships.

“We have had our fair share of laughs and fun times but the most important and memorable thing I believe we have done is inspire one another in all aspects of our lives,” he said. “I know for me personally, growing up in this county with people like Tucker Wilson have really had a great influence on my life. Tucker goes about every day putting his best foot forward in everything he does while serving a God who loves us more than we could ever imagine. We all build off one another and that is what makes this group so special.”

Coleman also harped on the importance of persistence in the face of adversity.

“That is the Rebel way — to inspire, to grow and to always keep moving forward,” he said. “The man himself, Rocky Balboa, once said, ‘Nobody is going to hit as hard as life but it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward.

“That’s how winning is done. The road ahead is not always going to be easy but we must remember to keep fighting the good fight and remember where we came from, who inspired us, who mentored us, who instilled in us the will to want more and who helped to make us who we are today.”

During his speech, Superintendent Dr. Yancy Ford attempted to inspire the graduates to overcome future obstacles. He did likewise at the commencement ceremonies for South Effingham High School and Crossroads Academy on Saturday.

“Great individuals, like great companies, find a way to transform an obstacle — as some people would call,  a weakness — into a strength, or (something) others call it opportunity,” Ford said during each ceremony.

The superintendent gave each graduate in the district a chip that features a thought process to help them “flip their next obstacle into an opportunity.”

“When you face obstacles in your path, you must recognize your power,” Ford said. “Your thoughts and your objective perception to an obstacle are the most powerful tools you can use. Your most prized possession can be taken from you but no one, no one, can control your thoughts, your beliefs or your reactions.”

During Saturday morning’s Crossroads Academy commencement ceremony at The Corral in Guyton, Coordinator Brett Griffin encouraged graduates to remember that they have already overcome hurdles. 

Crossroads Academy is an alternative school whose mission is to provide a structured and supportive environment that will lead to a diploma and/or career success for students who have gotten off track academically at Effingham County and South Effingham high schools for one reason or another.

“As you sit here today at the top of the mountain, remember this feeling,” he said. “Remember the struggles and the barriers that stood in the way. I remind all of you of the struggles so that as you go on in life (you can) remember that you have not always had it easy.

“Remember to set goals for yourself and always celebrate the small victories in life.”

During South Effingham’s commencement Saturday evening, Salutatorian Diya Patel, a cross country runner, said she was proud to be part of “this amazing South Effingham team.”

“However, very shortly we will be joining new teams in this great race that we call life,” she said. “But always remember where started — in The Corral. As you all embark on new journeys, I hope you each find the means to be the best runner in your own unique ways while uplifting your future teammates and having pride in your next team as you join new races because the end of high school is only the beginning of a much bigger race.”

South Effingham Valedictorian Karen Ji spoke excitedly about what’s to come for the class of 2022.

“Sometimes it’s important to take a deep breath and remember that all the big things in life take time,” Ji said. “If there’s one thing that we have right now — because of the diploma — is time, a lot time. The good news — and the bad news — is that is completely up to us how we spend that time.”