Nearly 110 Graduate

Nearly 110 students received their diplomas Saturday, May 24, in Jasper County.

Piedmont Academy had its 33rd commencement exercises Saturday morning, at 11 a.m., in the school gymnasium. Jasper County High School held its commencement exercises at 8 p.m. Saturday at Rose Bowl field on College Street.
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The Honorable Ashley Royal, Sr., gave the keynote address for Piedmont’s graduation. His remarks followed the salutatory address by April Marie Young and the valedictory address by David Marion Thompson, Jr.

After his remarks, Don Kelly and Janell Wild presented scholarships from the Bank of Monticello and McIntosh State Bank. Diplomas were presented by Johnny N. Smith, headmaster, and Tommy McFarlin, chairman of the Board of Directors.

Eight of Piedmont’s graduates are from Monticello, with the remaining hailing from Jackson and Covington. Those from Monticello are Christen Hillary Altman, Christy Nicole Goodman, Melanie Lynn Hornibrook, Jones Horton Nelson, Walter Jefferson Nelson, Mary Christine Pitts, Donald Johnathan Sprayberry, and Holly Suzanne Tyler.

At the public school, Sherri Phillips gave the valedictory address, and Jessica Carter presented the salutatory address.

Other honor graduates were announced at the awards ceremony Friday morning at the school. Several scholarship winners were also announced.

Torchbearers for the senior class were juniors JoAnn Pulliam and Erin Roper.

Ushers were Kala Batchelor, Robert Beveridge, Laura Crecelius, April Evans, Charles Hill, Vonecia Benton, Terlisha Clark, Matt Dietzel, Josh Hayslip, and Paige Nix.