Graduation 2008
While the ceremony had the traditional fare of speeches and performances by members of this year’s senior class, a more modern tradition continued, as well, with students batting around inflatable animals and beach balls while waiting to receive their diplomas.
Valedictorian Jackson Ewton delivered an address entitled ‘Harvesting the Future,’ making the analogy that throughout their school careers, the newest WCHS alumni were nurtured along their way like growing seeds.
‘Not it’s time for us to plant our own seeds, and our own dreams,’ he said.
Salutatorian Amy Hutton’s speech was called ‘The Places You Will Go,’ and closed with a passage from the Dr. Seuss classic of the same title.
‘As we leave this place, remember: ‘You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.’
Other highlights of Friday’s ceremony included a performance of ‘The Prayer,’ sung by Lacy Pack, a listing of the memorable accomplishments of this year’s class by senior class president Katrina Allen and student body president Taylor Nunley, and a song performed by Travis Young entitled ‘Class of 2008,’ which was sung to the melody of Jason Aldean’s ‘Laugh Until We Cried.’
In Spencer, a group of 59 seniors walked across the stage Friday night at Van Buren County High School as a near standing-room-only crowd of parents, relatives and friends looked on.
Prior to the ceremony, seniors took time out to talk about their future plans. Some said they were sad to leave their high school alma mater behind, while others were excited to be moving on and beginning their lives beyond high school.
Salutatorian Wesley Martin said he is looking forward to college.
‘My plans are to attend Tennessee Tech this fall and go into pre-med,’ Martin said. ‘I want to become a sports doctor and work with athletes in a sports organization or something like that.’
Martin said he is happy to be out of high school.
‘It’s great,’ Martin said. ‘It’s exciting. It’s the moment I’ve always hoped for.’
Valedictorian Emily Cope said she plans to attend TTU as well.
‘I’m going to go to Tennessee Tech and I think I want to be an eye doctor,’ Cope said. ‘But I’m not sure.’
Cope says leaving high school behind is a bittersweet journey for her.
‘I’m kind of sad but excited,’ Cope said, noting the sad part comes from leaving friends behind. ‘But we’ll still keep in touch,’ she added.
A 6-foot plus fellow senior, Darrin Baker, said he also felt a bit sad, but is ready to take advantage of a sports scholarship and continue his education.
‘It’s sad and everything, but I’m going to be going off to college so that’ll be good for me,’ Baker said. ‘I’m going to Berea College in Kentucky on a basketball scholarship and I plan to become a physical therapist.’
The ceremony was carried on with all the pomp and circumstance the school is known for, including the traditional candlelight march down the aisle at the end where the juniors hold candles to light the way for seniors as they leave their seats.
Boyd Christian School got local high school graduation ceremonies under way on Thursday night when 14 students received their diplomas as members of the school’s 10th graduating class.