Lewis County Herald - Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898

TCAT Hohenwald's President, Kelli Kea-Carroll, broke into song during her graduation speech on Friday, June 19.

"Standing in the hall of fame, everybody's gonna know your name. 'Cause you burn with the brightest flame. And the world's gonna know your name. And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame," Kea-Carroll sang from The Script's "Hall of Fame."

Although COVID-19 made an effort (and succeeded) in shutting down some major events this year, TCAT Hohenwald was determined to see their students walk across a stage.

This year marked the first ever that students at TCAT Hohenwald had to take their classes all online.

"Our students are our number one priority. It [Graduation] is a reward to our students and our faculty because they've all worked so hard. They all deserved to have a celebration," said President Kea-Carroll.

TCAT Hohenwald's graduation took place outside this year in two separate ceremonies. Students from Cosmetology, Automotive, Welding, etc. graduated at 10 a.m. while Nursing students graduated at 2 p.m.

Crowds gathered underneath the shade trees at TCAT Hohenwald to show their support for their graduates.

Families watched from their socially distanced squares, painted onto the lawn with spray paint

Graduates were seated six feet apart in a designated area, roped off by caution tape, and squares were painted on the front lawn, six feet apart, to ensure both graduates and their families maintained social distancing guidelines.

Once it came time for graduates to receive their diplomas, they walked up to President Kea-Carroll, where she would hand them a diploma and give them a distanced elbow bump.

Then students could walk over and greet their teachers in the same manner. Some did an elbow bump, others chose to make up a dance with their teacher while proud parents and friends cheered them on.

After receiving their diplomas, the Nursing students took part in a candle-lighting in honor of Florence Nightingale and took an oath.

"This year TCAT Hohenwald was named the best in Tennessee and it's because of students like you... We at TCAT Hohenwald are so proud of you," said Kea-Carroll.