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Horse Creek Academy recognizes 77 seniors at graduation ceremony.AIKEN – Seventy-seven seniors graduated from Horse Creek Academy on May 29.As they crossed the stage and received their diplomas, Ann Marie Taylor hugged each one.“You have brought energy, creativity, humor, leadership, resilience, and heart to our campus,” Taylor, the school’s Lead Learner and Chief Vision Officer, told the graduates in her commencement address.“I am, going to miss those moments with you,” she said.“I have watched many of you overcome things people never knew you were carrying.I've watched you grow into yourselves, and I hope you understand tonight that success is not just what you accomplish, it's also about the people you become.” Guidance Counselor Sally Tice listed the graduating class’s achievements.She said 83% of the class achieved college or career readiness, and 78% of the class qualified for a Life Scholarship or Hope Scholarship from the state of South Carolina.The seniors have been offered more than $10 million in scholarships and grants by colleges and universities.“I want everyone to know what a truly spectacular group of young people you are.These students are committed, driven and resourceful.They are competitive, yet they are extremely compassionate, Tice said.Taylor said the core of her message to the graduates is to practice “unreasonable hospitality.” “Work hard, build incredible things, chase big goals - all those things matter.But never become so ambitious that you lose your ability to care deeply about people,” she said.“Don't ever lose that, because the people who truly change organizations, schools, businesses, hospitals, schools, churches, teams, and communities are not necessarily the smartest people in the room.They're the people who make others feel valued.” Unreasonable hospitality is “a decision to care more about the other people than they expect you to, to create experiences that people will never forget, to treat people with dignity, warmth and humanity in a world that feels cold, rushed, and transactional, because service is doing is what is required, but hospitality is doing what is absolutely meaningful.” Valedictorian Kearsten Todd encouraged her classmates to exemplify the school’s three pillars of flexibility, service and connection as they embark on their life journeys.“These are qualities that you should take with you, not just leave at HCA,” Todd said.“Set goals for yourself, but be willing to let them change to benefit you.Slow down and serve the people around you.Strive to be a helping hand wherever you go.And lastly, make connections with the ones around you and form memories that last a lifetime.” “High school has been some of the best, worst, joyful, heartbreaking, exciting, and tiresome years of my life,” she said.“Good and bad memories make up who you are, which is why we have so many.They're meant to remind you of where you came from and what you learned along the way.Value your memories and remind yourself of what you have achieved.Be proud of yourself and everything you've done.” Salutatorian Lydiah Gonzalez spoke of coming to Horse Creek Academy after being homeschooled.“I won't lie.I complained a lot when I first came to Horse Creek.I complained about not being able to wake up whenever I wanted to or wear my pajamas to class.I'm not sure when, but at some point, it hit me.Going to the school was a privilege.I got to experience something that so many people dream of and never get to achieve throughout my time at HCA,” Gonzalez said.“We have been so privileged to be given this chance to learn and experience these past four years together,” she said.“I hope you all continue to take advantage of this privilege we each have and keep learning.She thanked the school’s faculty, staff and leadership “for creating such a safe environment for us to learn in.“Most of all, thank you to my best friend and my biggest cheerleader, my mom.She's been with me every step of the way,” Gonzalez said.“I never would have been anywhere close to I am now without her.”