Blake Gilmore has shared much with his older sister Bailey.
And they now also share some firsts. Bailey Gilmore, who graduated from Bradwell Institute in 2023, was the first Black female valedictorian in school history. Blake has made his mark as the first African American male valedictorian in Bradwell Institute’s lineage.
They also share another achievement, he proudly and emphatically declared.
“We are the first siblings to become valedictorians in the history of Liberty County,” he said during Bradwell’s commencement exercises Saturday evening. “I am honored to share this honor with my sister. But more than that, I am proud we are leaving a legacy of greatness for the little black and brown children who will soon follow in our footsteps.”
Salutatorian Kim Duong remarked how the class went from Zoom meetings and hybrid schedules when they started to their destination at Olvey Field/Hokey Jackson Stadium.
“From our earliest days of elementary school to the final and bittersweet years of high school, we have counted down the days, minutes and seconds until we finally start the next big chapter of our lives,” she said. “We realize how much we have taken the final years for granted. Most of us are leaving behind our most impactful friendships, friendships that have carried us through our most challenging days, helped celebrate, showed us the beauty of shared growth and showed us the power of being accepted for who we are.”
Duong said the teachers and coaches saw the potential in the class members “before we saw it in ourselves.”
She also thanked her parents, adding their sacrifices “laid a foundation for every opportunity I have. You taught me what real strength looks like. hope to make you as proud of me as I am grateful for you.”
Doung also said she was grateful for her friends and their laughter and their patience.
“The bond we share will always stay with me,” she said.
Doung also exhorted her classmates to be at ease with making mistakes, changing their minds and starting over.
“The universe is so much bigger than we realize. Give yourself grace as you move forward,” she said. “Be proud of how far you’ve come and stay open to the endless possibilities ahead. Let your passions guide you, your values ground you and your love strengthen you. Know that every setback is setting you up for something greater.” Gilmore told his classmates that falling down is not failing but rather not getting back up is.
“Greatness is on the inside,” he said. It is not determined by your family name, your class standing or the color of your stole. It come from the things we all have on the inside, deep down, in your soul, just waiting to be challenged.
“Greatness is our birthright,” Gilmore continued, “sewn into us that we may go forward and cultivate our world where we not only survive but we thrive as a society. I challenge each of you to tap into your greatness and change the world. The only thing that beats hard luck is hard work.”
Gilmore thanked his parents for their efforts and their lessons as he grew up.
“I stand on the shoulders on those who lifted and encouraged me when I didn’t think I could be all that I am today,” he said. “I want to thank my mom for being the light that never dims. You nurtured greatness and you reminded us that our potential was never optional. It was expected, pursued and returned. To my father, I thank you for being my foundation. You taught me that true power comes with speaking with purpose and living with integrity. You showed me the importance of standing tall, facing challenges head on and never backing down.”
Gilmore also thanked his big sister in emotional fashion.
“Keeping up with her was not my goal,” he said. “I just wanted to be the best Blake I could be. To Bailey, thank you for setting the bar so high. We are a team. I couldn’t be more proud to share this legacy with you.”
Gilmore also praised his fellow JROTC cadets for helping him develop into a leader and to his teachers, from Taylors Creek to Lewis Frasier to Bradwell “for challenging me, encouraging me and guiding me with patience and purpose. Your work and effort helped me get this far and I am forever grateful.”
Gilmore emboldened his classmates, nearly 375 of them, to write their own next chapters in life.
“This moment is ours,” he said. “We made it through countless challenges and those annoying Yondr pouches. The world will try to define us, put us in boxes and follow someone else’s version of success.
“The truth is we define our own path. We each have carried our own burdens silently and preserved when giving up was easy. Keep getting back up, even when it’s hard. You take the pen — you write it bold.”