WARDEN — The award-winning film actress Lupita Nyong'o is quoted as saying, “No matter where you're from, your dreams are valid.” Warden High School’s class of 2018 may not have come from the flashiest of cities, or the biggest or most well-known. But none of that matters, because this year’s graduating class is adamant that their dreams are big, important and achievable with a little bit of hard work.

“My grandson is up there graduating tonight and you know what he told me this morning? He says ‘grandma, you just wait and see. I have goals and I can’t wait until you and everyone else can see them come true with me,’” Estolia LaGuerta said with a tear in her eye. “I envy that twinkle of wonder in his eyes. I think we all should envy that.”

Warden’s graduating class may be at the very first step on the dream ladder, but a lot of the seniors put in the necessary work during their time at WHS to ensure that up that ladder they will surely go. This year’s class had a 93 percent graduation rate and over 58 percent of the seniors who turned their tassels during Friday night’s graduation have already completed college-level courses.

“I look at these kids sometimes and I just think about how accomplished they are,” said Dylon Rudolph. “I came here to support my buddy’s brother, who was like a brother to me too. When I was in high school I barely passed through and had no ambitions, but that was almost 15 years ago and today these kids are so driven that even in my 30s I am inspired by them. I truly am.”

With class speakers like Brooklyn Cole and Juan Martinez it was hard to walk away from Friday night’s commencement without being a little bit inspired. From reminders that sometimes it gets hard to dream big, to reiterating the notion that the members of the class of 2018 have bright futures and can overcome anything, both Martinez and Cole, either on purpose or by happenstance, seemed to draw inspiration from their class motto to inspire not only their fellow graduates, but everyone in attendance Friday night.

“Together we have experienced life. Separately we will pursue our dreams. Forever our memories will remain,” reads the class of 2018's motto.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.