31 Graduate from Piedmont Saturday
The 54th Piedmont Academy graduation took place Saturday, May 25; 31 seniors walked across the stage to receive their diplomas at 10 a.m. in Piedmont’s upper gymnasium.
Mckayla Arnold, chaplain, opened the program with the invocation. Lendon Reeder led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Breck Piedra introduced the visual presentation of the senior slideshow, which was created by Bailey Mobley. Riley Israel thanked the faculty for its “indulgence and patience” with the senior class.
Boone Pope and Callaway Branan presented the Junior Ushers and the mascots, Abby Bryant, daughter of Brittney and Billy Bryant of Monticello, and Tucker Waldrop, son of Kimberly Schroeder and Andrew Waldrop. Teagan Satterfield introduced Clint Welch, headmaster, and Maurice Jackson, a member of the Board of Trustees, who both awarded diplomas to the Class of 2024.
Jake Vaughn recognized and thanked the parents for their sacrifices for their children to attend Piedmont. Rhett Harris thanked the people who helped to make graduation a success and mentioned special acknowledgements.
Ridge Stroud, the senior class president, explained the tassel ceremony as the seniors turned their tassels from high school students to graduates. May 25 is also Mr. Welch’s birthday, and the seniors presented him with a gift and thanked him for his support and guidance. Annabelle Goodwin and Ava Daniel led the audience in Piedmont’s “Alma Mater.” Georgia Hale led the benediction as the graduates filed out to their class anthem.
Lifetime Cougars (who attended Piedmont from kindergarten through 12th grade) include the following: Boone Pope, Ridge Stroud, Bailey Mobley, Mckayla Arnold, Hailey McGinnis, Ray LeCroy, Rhett Harris, Anthony Brown, and Jake Vaughn. The Legacy Cougars (whose parents attended Piedmont) are Bailey Mobley, Rhett Harris, Mckayla Arnold, and Ridge Stroud.
Other graduates include Mason Andrews, Brody Bush, Landon Cain, Layne Cook, Kaden Elkins, Adarius Fuller, Angela Gabriel, Georgia Hale, Keith Hasker, Brodie Hawkins, Wyatt Joyner, Patrick Meadows, Nic Nyman, Emily Turner and Reed Wilborn.
The junior ushers were Teagan Hinson, Marissa Holder, Kylee Keck, Jacob Pope, Logan Elliott, Chase Taylor, Brayden Cowan. Mark Myles accompanied the processional on the piano, and Dylan Brimberry acted as technical engineer.
The seniors gathered in the rear of the gym to throw their caps into the air. A tearful reunion was followed by afternoon farewell events.
The Baccalaureate ceremony was held on Sunday, May 19 at Monticello Baptist Church. Numerous seniors were honored on Senior Honors’ night, May 23, in the Piedmont gymnasium.
Bailey Mobley, daughter of Julie and Chad Mobley of Monticello is the class of 2024’s valedictorian. Julie and Chad are both Piedmont graduates, which makes Bailey a Lifetime and a Legacy Cougar.
Rhett Harris, the son of Amy and Hal Harris of Hillsboro is this year’s STAR student; Rhett’s dad, Hal, is also a Piedmont graduate, which gives Rhett Lifetime and Legacy status. Brody Bush, son of Jennifer and Bryan Bush of Jackson, is the class’s salutatorian. Bailey will attend Georgia State University and plans to transfer to the University of Georgia. Rhett will attend the University of Georgia, and Brody will attend the University of Florida. All three students will receive the Zell HOPE scholarship for students with an average over 95.
