25 Graduate at Piedmont Academy
On Saturday morning, May 23, Piedmont Academy held its thirty-ninth commencement exercises and awarded high school diplomas to 25 graduates in the school’s gymnasium.
The procession was lead by Headmaster Dr. Michael Rossi, the school’s Board of Trustees, the school’s faculty, junior class ushers, and senior class mascots to “Largo” by Handel and “Pomp and Circumstance” by Elgar.
Proud parents, relatives, and friends were greeted by the invocation given by the class chaplain, Kelly Ann King, the daughter of Hal and Annie King.
Salutatorian, William Padraic Eckerle, the son of George and Karyn Eckerle, reflected on the wonderful memories that united the Class of 2009. He thanked parents who helped mold them into the people they are today, and the graduates were an extension of their teachings and love.
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Mr. Eckerle spoke to the audience on the importance of the lessons they had learned to build character and the life altering events in high school that have helped shape them into the people they are today. As life goes on, Mr. Eckerle noted that we will not remember how much money they made or how many friends they had, but how much they enjoyed the experience. He quoted Confucius by saying, “wherever you go, go with your heart.”
Soloist Ashlan Elizabeth Troutman, the daughter of Dennis and Jeana Hyde, sang a moving selection, “Don’t Forget to Remember Me” by Hayes, Loveless and George. She was followed by valedictorian, Miss King, who began her address by encompassing the mind, body, and spirit in the theme for the Class of 2009. She told the audience the students were stepping out into a new stage, an exciting time, and the class must give credit to the school, their family, and their friends they have made along the journey.
Mutually, the class knew the key to success is hard work and perseverance. She quoted from Aristotle, “the whole is more than the sum of its parts,” and she knew by being mindful of their future fellow citizens of towns, state, and our country, her classmates would make a better place in the world because they were part of the process.
Prior to announcing individual scholarships and accomplishments, alumna and faculty member, Bobbi Sauls, presented the “Charlotte S. Crawley Faculty Scholarship” to Miss King. Bank of Monticello board member David Morrison, presented the bank’s scholarship to Alyson Danielle Kinard, the daughter of Robbie and Karen Kinard. Bank president Thurman Willis, presented two scholarships from McIntosh State Bank to Tamara Grace Sessums, the daughter of Buddy and Wanda Tucker and John and Donna Sessums, as well as to Ryan Thomas McBroom, the son of Danny and Nancy McBroom.
Representing Piedmont Academy’s Grandparents’ Club was Mrs. Gayle Marsh. Mrs. Marsh presented their club’s scholarship to Mr. Eckerle and Hugo Huerta McCoy, the son of Irene and Dave McCoy. Alumnus Chris Hornibrook, last year’s recipient of the “Jack H. Yearwood Memorial Scholarship,” presented this year’s graduate, Elizabeth Morgan Gilbert, the daughter of Robert and Amy Gilbert, with the award.
Several achievements were announced. Dr. Rossi recognized four seniors who had attended Piedmont Academy since kindergarten and presented each graduate with a gift. They included Bobby Lee Benjamin, Jr., the son of Bobby and Pamela Benjamin, Sr., Kale Michael George Blackshear, the son of David and Janice Johnson, Miss Gilbert, and Brittany Marie Wilson, the daughter of Scott and Diane Wilson.
Piedmont Academy’s “Male Academic Athlete” was given to Mr. Eckerle and the “Female Academic Athlete” was given to Miss King.
Georgia Independent School Association’s “Morris C. Johnson Scholarship” is awarded to 10 students in each classification of GISA in A, AA, and AAA. Students nominated are required to have an overall GPA of 3.75, a SAT score of 1,750 or higher, and lettered in two or more athletic activities. Piedmont was honored to receive one of this year’s recipients in Class AA and the award was presented to Miss King.
The “Golden Cougar” award, which represents the embodiment of true school spirit, dedication and loyalty to the school, was presented to Mr. McBroom and Miss Wilson.
The “Distinguished Service in Music” award was presented to Miss Troutman. Miss Troutman was a member of the school’s chorus and literary team.
The “Headmaster Award” was given to a graduate who encompassed the mission of the school, which is to develop the mind, body and spirit of an individual. Dr. Rossi presented the award to Mr. Benjamin.
Piedmont Academy’s “Outstanding Senior” was presented to Miss King. This award is presented to a graduate that demonstrated good moral values and strong leadership in their school as well as their community.
Piedmont Academy’s 2008/2009 STAR student, Miss King, and her STAR teacher, Ms. Martha Mock, were both presented with plaques and were recognized earlier during the school year by the Monticello Kiwanis Club.
The final plaques of accomplishment were presented to the top two scholars, valedictorian, Miss King and salutatorian, Mr. Eckerle, in honor of their high school academic achievement.
Class secretary, Miss Troutman, recognized the faculty and staff of Piedmont Academy. Miss Troutman expressed tremendous gratitude to the employees of the school and how much the class appreciated their dedication and support to not only to their class, but to all students of Piedmont Academy.
At this point in the ceremony, Dr. Rossi explained to the audience the significance of the cords, tassels, and stoles worn by the graduates. Honors college preparatory diplomas were held by graduates who wore gold tassels in addition to their blue and white tassels. These students had taken the most rigorous academic classes a senior can take by having 75 percent of the honors classes offered, joint enrollment with Georgia Military College, and advanced placement courses offered during their high school career. Beta graduates wore gold stoles with the Beta insignia and were members of the school’s Beta Club. To be a member of the Beta Club, students have to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in their core area classes. While it is up to the state of Georgia to make the final decision for the HOPE scholarship, our Beta Club graduates are certified by Piedmont as eligible for the HOPE scholarship.
National Honor Society students, who were inducted into this prestigious group, had high academic achievement with at least a 90 cumulative average in their core classes. Society members qualify by exhibiting in the areas of academics, leadership, character, and service. They had the National Honor Society insignia on their gold stoles. Honor graduates wore a gold cord that represented students who had achieved a cumulative average of 85 to 94 in their core area high school classes. Special distinction graduates were represented with a white cord. These students had a 95 or above cumulative average in the core area of high school classes. This is such a demanding standard that the school usually has only one or perhaps two special distinction graduates. As a testament to the level of academic excellence in this year’s graduating classes, the school was proud to present three special distinction graduates.
Finally, in accordance with the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Accrediting Commission, diplomas were presented by Dr. Rossi and Board of Trustees Chair, Mrs. Gena Smith. Diplomas were given to all 25 graduates including Beta graduate Erica Renee Barlow, daughter of Charles and Melinda Cline; Beta graduate Mr. Benjamin; Mr. Blackshear; Ashley Nichole Cain, daughter of Bobby and Missy Cain; National Honor Society, Special Distinction, and Beta graduate Mr. Eckerle; National Honor society, Honor, and Beta graduate Miss Gilbert; Beta graduate Christopher Andrew Hall, son of Roger and Pierrette Hall; Mary Elizabeth Hamilton, daughter of Chip and Stacy Benton; National Honor Society, Honor, and Beta graduate Miss Kinard; National Honor Society, Special Distinction, and Beta graduate Miss King; Honor and Beta graduate Kayla Shea Landreau, daughter of Van and Abby Landrum; Honor and Beta graduate Tyler Brett Landress, son of Dwain and Leslie Landress; Bonor and Beta graduate Hayden Allen Lewis, son of Jake and Kelly Lewis; Mr. McBroom; National Honor Society, Special Distinction, and Beta graduate Mr. McCoy; Honor and Beta graduate Brent Patrick Norwood, son of Gene and Elaine Norwood; Nicholas Boyd Rebuelta, son of Luis and Angie Rebuelta; Beta and Honor graduate Nataly Alyse Rivera, daughter of Merardo Rivera and Lisa Statham; Wade Scott Roberts, son of Johnny and Karlene Strother; Beta and Honor graduate Miss Sessums; Tiffany Ann Smith, daughter of Tony and Margaret Smith; Beta and Honor graduate Joshua Paul Stevenson, son of Paul and Gina Stevenson; National Honor Society, Honor, and Beta graduate Miss Troutman; Corbett Lamar Tucker, son of Buddy and Wanda Tucker and Mike and Pam Petroff; and Beta and Honor graduate Miss Wilson.
Following the distribution of diplomas, class treasurer, Mr. Roberts, recognized the parents of the Class of 2009. Mr. Roberts thanked the parents for the many sacrifices they had made to bring their children to this point in their lives, as well as their hours devoted to helping their children succeed, both in and out of the classroom.
Class vice president, Mr. Blackshear, presented a visual presentation for those in attendance. This was followed by class president, Mr. Stevenson, giving acknowledgements to the class senior mascots and first grade students, Jordan Garret King, the son of Doug and Joann King, and Corinne Danielle Hanson, the daughter of Carey and Tina Hanson. Mr. Stevenson also thanked the graduation ushers Bailey LaRae Dobbs, daughter of Cecil and Lorie Dobbs; Randi Leigh Small, daughter of Alan and Jo Small; Carter Harris Greeson, son of Jeff and Mary Greeson; and Trevor James Wilson, son of John and Missy Braden and the late Jim Wilson.
Also recognized for their time and devotion was the accompanist, Cliff Brock; room mother, Mrs. Stacy Benton; Martha Mock for the stage setup and adding sparkle to the decorations; Bobbi Sauls for her involvement in the ceremony; and senior class sponsors, Mrs. Suzanne Arena and Ms. Elaine Norwood for their help and guidance.
The tassel ceremony was led by Student Council president, Mr. Stevenson, changing the class from students to graduates. Miss Gilbert and Miss Landreau, led the audience in singing the school’s alma mater. This was followed by the benediction given by Miss Barlow. The honored board members, faculty, mascots, graduates and ushers recessed to the march from “Aida” by Verdi.
