Boyd honors its Class of 2006

Sheri Higgins adjusts the cap of Ariel Higgins as the senior prepares to walk through the commencement line along with her 16 fellow graduates at Boyd Christian School Thursday evening.

?I think one of the greatest things is the teachers here,? said graduate Allison Phillips who spent her high school career at Boyd after getting her elementary education at Centertown. ?Because of the size here, there?s a real one-on-one relationship with the teachers.?

Phillips was one of 17 seniors who graduated during commencement ceremonies. The class is the eighth to graduate Boyd. There were five seniors who graduated last year.

Amanda Beth Prater earned valedictorian honors this year while Lydia Elaine Powell was salutatorian.

?I think a smaller setting is beneficial because there?s not as many distractions,? said Dustin Curtis who plans to attend Motlow and go into physical education and coaching. ?It?s also a Christian school with a Christian environment and that?s important.?

Fellow graduate Jared Parker, who attended Hickory Creek before coming to Boyd, agreed the small setting was conducive to learning, noting he too will be attending Motlow.

However, Parker says he is keeping his options open.

?I don?t have a clue what I?m going to do,? Parker said. ?But, I?ve got two years to decide while I?m at Motlow. No pressure.?

Nicholas Guilick, who was singing his fellow graduates a final tune in the waiting chambers just before graduation Thursday, said he will be going to the University of Tennessee where he has a full scholarship for voice.

Meanwhile, friends Megan Lewis and Alex Porter will be heading to Tennessee Tech, Lewis to pursue chemical engineering and Porter animal science.