by Delyssa Huffman, Point Pleasant Register
06.01.10 - 10:34 pm
Before the ceremony began, guests enjoyed a senior slideshow played to the class song, “Don’t Stop Believin.” The gymnasium also was decorated in the class colors of navy blue and silver.
The 32 seniors, proudly dressed in their blue gowns and caps, entered the gymnasium packed full of family, friends, teachers and many supporters.
During their days spent at Hannan Jr./Sr. High School, they experienced many changes, and on this day, they would remember their last day together as the Class of 2010.
After processional to “Pomp and Circumstance” composed by Edward Elgar, the Wildcat seniors recited the “Pledge of Allegiance” led by senior Shawn Kauffer. Following the welcome given by HJSHS Principal Dr. Karen Oldham, vice principal Amy Kammer presented the honor graduates: Katlyn Eugenia Stanley, Megan Jean Adkins, Cindi Ann Adkins, Kayla Rose DeMaria, Derick Jeffery Alan Flora, Kelsi Marie McCarty and Jennifer Lynn Swan. The National Honor Society members rose to be recognized.
Adkins then addressed her classmates with her salutatorian speech in which she recalled the times spent with them and the changes they had gone through together as a class.
She began by saying, “My fellow seniors, we have spent 2,160 days together. We have spent 15,120 hours in school. We have spent a third of our lives together in school. And now it is about to end. But this is not only an end, but a beginning. We must take the time now to remember. Remember that we are the last class to attend the old Hannan High School, the construction and the current Hannan High School.”
Adkins continued by recalling several special moments that the class had experienced together. She also recited one of her favorite quotes by Marianne Williamson and read her own poem she had written, “If Failure Was Impossible.”
“Dreams are coming true today for us and our parents,” Adkins said. “Our teachers and parents no longer have to worry about whether or not we will graduate. Today is a day of success.”
Adkins closed by thanking her parents and Spanish instructor, Senora Gue. She also left a few words for her classmates, “The future is us and no one should fear. Failure is impossible. I know because today is here.”
The valedictory address was then given by Katlyn Stanley who touched on the importance of growing up and going off to college.
“First of all, I’d just like to congratulate all of the graduates for being able to join me today. Most likely, we all have had to face some of the greatest challenges of our lives in this small school in the middle of nowhere,” Stanley said. “We couldn’t have gotten through those challenges without the help of our parents.”
She continued to thank her very own mother for inspiring her.
“In turn, that inspiration has made me see the best in my classmates, no matter how crazy some may seem on the outside. I thank you all for your friendship, support and wisdom throughout our years at Hannan.”
After talking about the change of the school’s structure, classrooms and teachers, Stanley was thankful for all her memories.
“Our school has grown into a school that has become more well-known and at least in my mind, better than any private school that any parent could pay for. No amount of money can buy what we have here at Hannan.”
As she addressed the crowd, the valedictorian encouraged her fellow classmates.
“Our futures are now, more than ever, dependent on us. It’s almost as if for 18 years, we didn’t really think of actually being in control of our lives. We always had our parents,” Adkins continued. “In retrospect, we sort of had a backseat to our own lives, but now we’re driving. But we’ll do. How do I know? Because I know who I’m talking to. I know I’m talking to quite possibly the greatest people I’ve ever known. I’ve seen the best of all of you, and I know that there are no better people to face what’s ahead. And whatever you have chosen to do, I know you’ll do it and you’ll do it well.”
Stanley closed by saying, “Our lives our before us, our past is behind us, but our memories are forever.”
Junior Tuesday Allen then sang “Don’t Forget to Remember Me” and Dr. Oldham presented the Class of 2010 saying, “Always believe, always dream and always remember who you are to become.”
Dr. William Capehart, Superintendent of Mason County Schools, accepted the senior class.
While receiving their diplomas from Capehart and the rest of the Board members, each senior also received a Bible from Ball’s Chapel Church, along with a white rose with a blue tip. They also were presented with a scrapbook of their senior year. Mr. Jim Hadinger read each graduates name.
Afterwards, Jennifer Swan led her class in the crossing of the tassel and each senior left the gymnasium with big smiles on their faces. And together, as the Class of 2010, they embarked on a new chapter in their life by throwing their caps into the sky as the crowd looked on and cheered.
Other members of the senior class are Corey Steven Allen, Matthew John Allen, Corey Lee Black, Brandon Scott Benson, James Lee Burden, Brian Allen Chapman, Carolann Nichole Workman Chapman, Jared Lee Cobb, Tiara Dawn Cornwell, Megan Nicole Cottrell, Brittany Jean Edmonds, Alex Mitchell Facemyer, Tyler Craig Fisher, Thomas Donald Huffman-Ross;
Brittany Michelle Jenkins, Terry Shawn Kauffer, Renetta Rose Mayes, Cassie Jay Parsons, Kendra Nicole Plants, Travis David Smith, James Patrick Ward, Robert Aaron Warth, Brandon Lee Waugh, Jennifer Elizabeth Waugh and William Joel Kimble Weikle.
© mydailyregister.com 2010
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