11 Graduate from Piedmont

Piedmont Academy held its 36th annual commencement exercises and awarded diplomas to 11 graduates last Saturday in the school’s gymnasium.

Senior class chaplain Joshua Brenton Brown opened the ceremony with prayer, and Samantha Bryn McDermott, salutatorian, welcomed everyone in the opening lines of her address.

Miss McDermott reflected upon the changes in tastes and preferences she and her classmates have had from childhood through adolescence and how those changes have brought new responsibilities.

She quoted Oscar Wilde who once said, “Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing worth knowing can be taught,” and she thanked the parents and teachers who taught, by example, lessons that have prepared her for future challenges that she will face as she enters the University of Georgia in the fall.

Quoting the opening line from Homer’s epic poem the Odyssey, Valedictorian Brittany Erin Binow-ski drew parallels from Odysseus’ arduous journey toward home to the struggles that students have faced growing up and will face in the next phase of their lives. She asked her classmates to look at each new challenge as an opportunity to learn and gain understanding of how the world works.

She closed her speech with a quote from Robert Penn Warren’s All The King’s Men, “And soon now we shall go out of the house and go into the convulsion of the world, out of history into history and the awful responsibility of Time.” Miss Binowski will also attend the University of Georgia on both the HOPE and Governor’s Scholarships.

Headmaster James P. “Chip” Champion, IV, thanked both local banks, the Grandparents Club, and the Yearwood family for their long-standing support of Piedmont and its students. Before any scholarships were awarded, Mrs. Elizabeth Davis, junior high social studies teacher, announced that the faculty scholarship would be renamed to honor Mrs. Charlotte S. Crawley who is retiring this year after 31 years of teaching and service at Piedmont.
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Mrs. Crawley, surprised by Ms. Davis’ announcement, went on with her prepared remarks, explaininig that several years ago the faculty wanted to recognize a senior who had achieved a high level of academic achievement and who had also maintained a high level of integrity and activity. The faculty members raise money each year to award such a senior a $1,000 scholarship for college expenses.

This year the faculty selected Miss Binowski, a student who was graduating with special honors and who had been active in school as a cheerleader and as a vital member of the literary team. Mrs. Crawley also recognized Miss Binowski’s efforts in volunteer work and part-time employment.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Monticello, Don Kelly presented a scholarship to the class salutatorian citing Miss McDermott’s success in academics, music, and debate as reasons for her being chosen for the award.

Mrs. Linda Smith presented the McIntosh State Bank Scholarship to Logan Patrick Gramzinski as she listed Mr. Gramzinski’s many achievements in debate not only in Georgia private school competition but also across the United States.

On behalf of the Grandparents Club, Mrs. JoAnn Sauls, retired financial officer at Piedmont, presented a scholarship to Samantha Shae Hallman, who displays to everyone she meets why her class selected her as “Most Dependable” and friendliest senior girl.

Mr. Champion noted the loss of founding parent, former Board of Trustees Chairman, and ardent supporter, Jack Yearwood, and he introduced Mr. Yearwood’s daughters Mrs. Beth Yearwood Bernard and Mrs. Trisha Yearwood Brooks, who were present to honor their father and present the first Jack H. Yearwood Memorial Scholarship. Also attending from the Yearwood family were Mrs. Gwen Yearwood, Ashley Bernard, and Garth Brooks.

Mrs. Brooks related several touching stories as well as humorous remarks about her father’s years of hard work and dedication to Piedmont and how he was involved in everything from building the physical structures of the school to raising money in a myriad of fund raisers. She also relayed her parents strong emphasis that she and her sister complete their education no matter their future plans.

Mrs. Bernard then highlighted the accomplishments of Allison Rae Hirsch, the recipient of the family’s first scholarship. As an active member of the debate, literary, music, and band programs, Miss Hirsch proved that it takes a combination of knowledge, dedication, and determination to accomplish one’s goals.

Noting the awards of other organizations, Mr. Champion highlighted several seniors who had previously been given scholarships. William Drayton Ballard received cash awards from the American Legion in their Oratory Contest on the post, area, and district levels. Miss Hallman received $500 from Coca-Cola, and Bailey Aileen Myers received $500 from the Shady Dale Masonic Lodge. Benjamin Forest Wood received an award from the Patillo Foundation Scholarship.

Mr. Champion also announced that Mr. Gramzinski received a $40,000 scholarship from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.— $10,000 each year that he debates on the Samford squad, which has a history of success on the national college debate circuit.

Mr. Champion then proceeded to recognize senior achievement in other areas. He presented a plaque to Miss Binowski for being the school’s STAR student, and he announced that the faculty had chosen Miss McDermott and Mr. Gramzinski for the DistinguishedService in music awards because both students had been dedicated to the band and literary programs during their careers at Piedmont.

The Outstanding Senior Awards are given each year to the senior boy and senior girl who have been involved in various student activities, who have demonstrated good moral character, and who possess strong leadership qualities. This year’s recipients were Miss Binowski and Mr. Gramzinski.

Mr. Champion asked Misses Hallman and Hirsch to stand and be recognized for attending Piedmont since kindergarten, and he further recognized Miss Hallman who had perfect attendance in school all 13 years at Piedmont. The audience gave Miss Hallman a standing ovation for her faithfulness and commitment to her education.

Secretary of State Cathy Cox sent a letter and certificate for Excellence in Citizenship to Drayton Ballard, who has been very active in organizing political events at school and in his community, and Mr. Champion closed this portion of the ceremony by handing out plaques to Misses McDermott and Binowski, class salutatorian and valedictorian.

Miss Hirsch, class treasurer, thanked the faculty and staff for pushing students to give their best efforts and for helping to build a solid foundation for future success.

Assisted by Board of Trustees Chairman Gena Smith, Mr. Champion explained the significance of the different tassels, cords, and stoles and handed out the diplomas.

Those receiving diplomas were William Drayton Ballard, Brittany Erin Binowski, Joshua Brenton Brown, Christopher Bommare Brunton, Logan Patrick Gramzinski, Samantha Shae Hallman, Allison Rae Hirsch, Samantha Bryn McDermott, Bailey Aileen Myers, John Allen Tweedell, Jr., and Benjamin Forrest Wood.

Miss Hallman thanked the parents of the graduates for their love and encouragement that had inspired the genius in each person, and Miss Myers introduced the video which highlighted each senior with pictures from various stages of their lives.

Mr. Gramzinski thanked the many people that made their graduation ceremony special. He thanked first graders and class mascots, Elizabeth Grace Roberts and Noah Kristian Shriver, for representing the seniors at several events through the year.

Mr. Gramzinski thanked and congratulated the ushers who are the top academic students in the 11th grade, and those students were Zachary Harrison Hauther, Robert Blake McMichael, Whitman Hays Morgan, Randolph James Reagin, Jr. Andrew Truett Stevenson, also selected as an usher, was unable to attend the ceremony as he was on a mission trip to Haiti.

Recognizing the help of faculty and staff, Mr. Gramzinski thanked Mmes. Penelope Corbin and Kathy Whitworth for their help with the stage decorations. He also acknowledged senior class sponsor Mrs. Susan Jackson and graduation sponsor Ms. Bobbi Sauls for their assistance, and he also noted the dedication of Mrs. Nancy Gunn, accompanist for graduation and other musical events during the year.

Finally, he praised retiring teachers Mrs. Charlotte Crawley and Mrs. Penny Stewart for their years of dedication and instruction.

To conclude the ceremony, Mr. Gramzinski noted that this was the end of their childhood and adolescence and the beginning of their adulthood, and the senior class turned their tassels to officially mark their transition from students to graduates. Miss McDermott led the singing of the Alma Mater, and Mr. Ballard, class vice president and student council president, closed the ceremony in prayer.

Faculty members lined the aisle and applauded the graduates as they marched down the aisle and gathered to throw their caps in celebration. Six of the eleven graduates qualified for the HOPE scholarship which will be used at various universities and technical colleges around the state.

The recent graduates have plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Central Georgia Technical College, Gainesville College, Georgia Perimeter College, Georgia Southern University, Griffin Technical College, Samford University, and The University of Georgia.