SPRINGFIELD — Effingham County’s class of 2019 was urged to “get in the game” during Saturday’s sultry commencement ceremony at Rebel Field.

Brady Holder, president of a class with 397 members, set a sports tone by leading his fellow seniors in professional wrestler Ric Flair’s famous “woo” chant at the end of his welcome speech.

Earlier, Holder, a fullback for the Rebels football team, stated, “As (former professional baseball and football star) Bo Jackson once said, ‘Set your goals high and don’t stop until you get there.’ As a class, we have. Over the past four years, we have demonstrated tenacity as we worked to achieve our goals.

“Keep in mind, as we move into the next chapter of our lives, the work is not yet done.”

Holder yielded the stage on the 95-degree night to Salutatorian Christina Mikell. She highlighted many of the school’s 2018-19 accomplishments during her remarks, including the baseball team’s recent march to the Class AAAAAA semifinals and Erik Robinson getting elected president of Georgia FFA.

Mikell thanked the school’s faculty and staff for their contribution’s to the class of 2019’s success. She also voiced appreciation for the parents in attendance and their “unwavering support.”

“I would also like to say a special ‘thank you’ my grandfather, James Mikell, who is looking down on me tonight,” she said. “He’s always kept my head on straight and kept me in the right direction. He always loved me and supported me in everything I did.

“I love you, Gramps.”

Mikell also used a sports analogy before relinquishing the stage to Valedictorian Kathryn Wyman.

“Take chances because you will miss one hundred percent of the shots you don’t take,” Mikell said.

Wyman echoed Mikell’s gratitude for those who helped her and her classmates en route to their diploma. She also voiced appreciation for God.

“Without Him, I know that standing before you today would be impossible,” she said.

The valedictorian urged his classmates to follow their dreams.

“So many times, we allow fear and doubt to control our lives,” she said. “We convince ourselves that maybe our dreams are impossible or unattainable because we are afraid.”

Wyman urged her classmates to dream big.

“We can all do something incredible, but not if we let fear hold us back,” she said.

After the Effingham County band played the school’s alma mater, Superintendent Dr. Randy Shearouse stepped to the podium. He went straight into a discussion about baseball.

“It is the great American pastime, without a doubt,” Shearouse said. “All of you have probably played baseball or softball at some point in your lives — whether it was Little League or Mighty Mites. You know, there is nothing better than baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet.”

Shearouse told the audience that opportunities abound in America but, “You have to get in the ball game.”

“Babe Ruth said, ‘Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing in the game,” Shearouse said.

The superintendent reminded the crowd that the plate in baseball is 17 inches wide at every level from youth league to the majors.

“We all have the same opportunities in life and it is up to you whether or not you take advantage of those opportunities,” he said. “You are all getting a new start tonight. You are all receiving your diploma.

“When you walk across the stage, new opportunities will start. Remember, you all have those same opportunities.”

Shearouse said the key to success is finding a niche.

“You need to be willing to change positions,” he said. “You might not be the best pitcher but you might be the best hitter, you might be the best shortstop. Think about that as you go through life and you start your future.”