Graduations Are Held

More than 150 students received their high school diplomas last weekend in Jasper County with Jasper County High School and Shiloh Christian Academy holding graduation exercises Friday evening, and Piedmont Academy doing the same on Saturday morning.

The students were highlighted in a special section in last week’s Monticello News. This week’s paper includes numerous awards and scholarships that were not announced until the schools’ awards night ceremonies.

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Stephen Arena, senior class president, welcomed everyone to JCHS’s graduation, and that was followed by Anna Parker, senior class vice president of graduation giving the invocation. Clay Evans gave the salutatory address, followed by Chad Cain giving the valedictory address. After special music by the ensemble, Jordan Stone announced special presentations. Mrs. Camille Murner, principal, presented the class to Dr. Mike Newton, superintendent, who then delivered the diplomas.

Honor graduates included Chad Cain, Clay Evans, Aiesha Whidby, Cheyenne Bowen, Jonathan Pettis, Aleissa Caldwell, Zachary Ford, Anna Parker, Stephen Arena, De’Miria Glover, Austin Norwood, Faith Vaughn, Julius Matchett, Taylor Bowden, Laura Mitchell, Danielle Siebe, Cheyanne Kindem, Megan Bruce, Jordan Stone, Hailey Seay, Thomas Deraney, Brianna Nicholson, Ashley De-Vane, Garrett Scroggs, Kailey Womack, Regan Duke, Cassidy Elliott, Brelan Crowe, John Davis, Tyler Seawright, Tamija Digby, Julieann Parr, Jackson Cummings, and Caleb Usry.

Beta graduates were Stephen Arena, Star Caldwell, Laura Mitchell, Thomas Deraney, De’Miria Glover, Julius Matchett, Anna Parker, Clay Evans, Desmond Nash, Jordan Stone, Levi Ford, John Davis, Garrett Scroggs, Shelby Parrish, Faith Vaughn, Cheyanne Elliott, Julieann Parr, Denzel Sands, Austin Norwood, Seth Pettis, Chad Cain, Tayler Bowden, Brelan Crowe, Tyler Seawright, Caleb Usry, Regan Duke, Aiesha Whidby, Crescencio Perez, and Danielle Siebe.

Torchbearers were Jace DeGarmo and Nataleigh Long. Ushers were Starr Batchelor, Amber Bullard, April Bullard, Madison Fish, Savannah Fritz, Glendon Graybill, Baylee Keesee, Arlena Ward and Amber York.

Piedmont Academy held its 2016 graduation ceremony with 29 members receiving diplomas on May 21. Headmaster Tony Tanner, the school’s Board of Trustees, faculty, mascots Jake Adamson and Carly Maddox, and ushers with the highest academic average from the junior class, Cheyenne Miller, Ashley Johnston, Wyatt Galloway, and Tyler Mills, led the traditional graduation procession to Handel’s “Largo” from Xerxes. “Pomp and Circumstance” March No. 1 by Elgar was the opening theme as the graduates entered the gymnasium.

Graduates included Cody Lee Blackmon, son of Bob Blackmon of Newborn and Connie Blackmon of Eatonton; Chandler Tate Burrell, son of Thomas Burrell of Monticello and Angel Burrell of Atlanta; Christopher David Cain, son of Chris and Gretchen Cain of Monticello; Tanner Allen Casey, son of Robert and Dona Casey of Monticello; Nolan Richard Cleary, son of Richie and Stacy Cleary of Covington; Lauren Summer Collins, daughter of Mike and Leigh Ann of Jackson; Summer Nicole Conley, daughter of Trey and Carol Conley of Locust Grove; Christopher Bankston Coogler, son of Greg and Beverly Coogler of Jenkinsburg.

Also, Benjamin Lewis Davis, son of Melton Davis of Eatonton and Elizabeth Davis of Monticello; Amelia Brooke Dodson, daughter of Ronnie and Kim Dodson of Jackson; Cameron Bailey Hammock, son of Jamie and Emily Hammock of Jonesboro; Emily Elaine Hammonds, daughter of Terry Hammonds of North Carolina and Laura Hammonds of Covington; Sarah Ashley Holland, daughter of Clifton Holland of Covington and Kelly Norman of Covington; Rebecca Johnson Hopper, daughter of Wanda Johnson of Forsyth and the late Robert Hopper; Clayton Thomas Kirkpatrick, son of Darren and Monty Kirkpatrick of Conyers; Morgan Victoria Leach, daughter of David and Dana Leach of Monticello.

Also, Steven David Martin, son of Steve and Laura House of Monticello; Alicia Leigh Peek, daughter of Jason and Kathleen Peek of Conyers and Harry and Lisa Ragan of Social Circle; Anna Marie Phillips, daughter of Shane and Mindy Phillips of Jackson; Bridgette Mabel Phillips daughter of Don and Shirley Harkins of Monticello; Alan Wesley Powell, son of Carla and Jeff Powell of Jackson; Noah Elam Quick, son of Phillip and Tammy Quick of Covington; Mattison Ruth Smith, daughter of Keith and Gena Smith of Monticello; Austin Scott Sullivan, son of Scott and Tracey Sullivan of Jackson; Taylor Darian Swart, daughter of David and Michele Swart of Covington; Haley Morgan Tyler, daughter of Jim and Laura Tyler of Monticello; Michael Joseph Weatherly, son of Brian and Kim Weatherly of Jackson; Hunter Alan Whiting, son of Mike and Tina Whiting of Jackson; and Zachary Thomas Wilson, son of Norman and Renee’ Wilson of Mansfield.

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Class secretary and Student Council representative, Haley Tyler, gave the invocation reciting Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and protect you from harm, plans to give you hope and a future.” A prayer followed.

The Class of 2016 co-salutatorians, Chad Cain and Rebecca Hopper, delivered their speeches together. They thanked everyone for attending the ceremony and for experiencing these years with them the fact that a simple piece of paper was a representation of the years the class has spent together becoming a family and the great things that they will do in this world. Both salutatorians added pieces of humor to the enjoyment of the crowd.

Class Student Council representative and valedictorian, Morgan Leach, opened her speech by quoting Genesis 19 where Moses narrates a story about the dangers of looking to what has passed rather than what is ahead. She was grateful that her class of seniors excelled as a class in and out of the classroom. She concluded her speech by quoting recording pop music artist Taylor Swift, “In all you do, there will be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for what you have accomplished; but, if you focus on the work, and you don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get to where you are going, you will look around you and you will know that is was you and the people who loved you that put you there and it will be the greatest feeling in the world.”

Class member, Steven Martin, joined Miss Leach at the podium and they sang a duet of a Lady Antebellum song, “Never Alone,” as Mr. Martin played an acoustic guitar.

Headmaster Tony Tanner explained to the audience the significance of the regalia worn by the graduates. Each member stood as he/she was recognized his/her achievements. Special distinction graduates included Cain, Collins, Hopper, Leach, Phillips, Smith, Swart, and Tyler. They wore a white cord representing a 95 or above cumulative average in the core area of high school classes. Honor graduates, wearing a gold cord, represented students who achieved a cumulative average of 85 to 95 in their core area high school classes. Those included Casey, Conley, Coogler, Dodson, Hammonds, Holland, Kirkpatrick, Martin, Peek, Quick, Sullivan, and Whiting.

Members of Piedmont’s National Honor Society were represented by Cain, Collins, Conley, Coogler, Dodson, Hopper, Leach, Martin, Peek, Smith, Swart, Tyler. This society requires a 92 cumulative average in their core classes and they also demonstrated leadership, character, and service. The society emblem was displayed on their gold-colored stoles. Beta Club graduates, who maintained at least an 88 or above cumulative average during high school with the Beta emblem adhered to their gold-colored stole included: Cain, Casey, Collins, Conley, Coogler, Dodson, Hammonds, Holland, Hopper, Kirkpatrick, Leach, Martin, Peek, Phillips, Quick, Smith, Sullivan, Swart, Tyler, and Whiting.

Graduates with an additional gold tassel on their cap represented the honors college preparatory diploma recipient. These students were enrolled in 75 percent of the honors, dual enrollment, and advanced placement courses offered in their high school career. They included: Cain, Coogler, Dodson, Hammonds, Holland, Hopper, Leach, Martin, Peek, Phillips, Quick, Smith, Swart, and Whiting. The remaining graduates received a college preparatory diploma.

Class president, Collins, recognized the faculty and staff by thanking them for the many “life” lessons they had provided. She mentioned the fact that a teacher or staff member can be more than just a spearhead for education but also a beacon of hope, a shoulder to cry on, a lending ear, and sometimes a harsh taste of reality.

Collins salute was followed by Headmaster Tanner and Board of Trustees’ chair, Dr. David Leach awarding the Class of 2016 their diplomas and requesting the parents and family of each graduate to stand as their son or daughter was recognized. He also noted the college they planned to attend.

Attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, A. Phillips; Augusta Technical College, Wilson; Belmont University, Collins; Berklee College of Music, Martin; College of Coastal Georgia, Dodson and Sullivan; Georgia College and State University, Smith; Georgia Military College, Burrell, Casey, Davis, Hammonds, and Tyler; Georgia State University Perimeter College; Gordon College, Coogler, Powell; Gulf Coast State College, Quick; Mercer University, Whiting; North Georgia College and State University, Cain and Hopper; Piedmont Technical College, Cleary; Southern Crescent Technical College, Weatherly; University of Georgia, Leach; University of Tennessee, Conley; University of West Florida, B. Phillips; Kennesaw State College, Hammock and Swart; and Valdosta State University, Peek.

Peek asked the audience to view the visual presentation of the class showing baby, middle and teen-age year pictures of the graduates as well as their present day photos.

Class treasurer, Whiting, gave special acknowledgements to their senior class advisor, Angie Marks; graduation assistants Traci Brady, Ashley Cook, Elizabeth Davis, and Judy Nelson; senior class mascots; junior class ushers; gymnasium decorators Traci Brady, Diamond Floyd, and Judy Nelson; piano accompanist, Mary Catherine Sikes; and staff members George Goodman and Roger Cogdill. Whiting also gave a special thank you to Judy Nelson, admissions director, who was the first person they all met when they came to Piedmont. The graduates appreciated her positive attitude and welcoming smile.

The tassel ceremony was led by class vice-president, Cain, followed by everyone singing the school’s alma mater. Coogler gave the benediction which was followed by the recessional featuring the musical selection of “Triumphal March” from Aida by Verdi. As the graduates reached the back of the gymnasium, the traditional ritual of tossing their caps high in the air was performed as all in attendance clapped and cheered.