Piedmont Academy Graduates 32

The largest class of graduates in school history from Piedmont Academy held its 2015 ceremony with 32 members receiving diplomas on May 23.

Headmaster Tony Tanner, the school’s board of trustees, faculty, and ushers with the highest academic average from the junior class, led the traditional graduation procession to Handel’s “Largo” from Xerxes. “Pomp and Circumstance” by Elgar was the opening theme as the graduates entered the gymnasium.

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Graduates include Nicholas Graham Adamczyk of Social Circle, the son of Kelly and Mark Adamczyk; Luke Ryan Andrews of Jackson, son of Lisa Durden and Charles Andrews; Zachary Christian Beggs of Covington, son of Daryl and Jason Beggs; Lena Marie Boyd of Monticello, daughter of Becky and Andrew Boyd; Alexander Boyd Perry of Jackson, son of Michelle Sims and Robert Perry, and Hunter Dylan Burson of Jackson, son of Missy and Jeff Burson.

Also, Payden Edward Cantera of Monticello, the son of Charlanna and Rickey Cantera; Gabriel Jean-Baptise Courtman of Monticello, son of Zoe Courtman-Smith and Keith Smith; Jeremiah Divine Dave of Covington, the son of Phyllis Dave and Darryl Dave; Michael Broughton Davis of Conyers, son of Regina and Mike Dave; Gaven James Edge of Mansfield, son of Dana and Scott Burton and Wendi and Samuel Edge; Cheyenne Brooke Galloway of Monticello, daughter of Beth and Brent Galloway; Cameron Caitlin Hallman of Monticello, daughter of Cathy and Frank Hallman; Braxton Timothy Hardy of Jackson, son of Joanna Hardy and Chad Hardy; Tracie Joyce Harris of Jackson, daughter of Emily and Robert McDade; and Abigail Christine Hyde of Mansfield, daughter of Jeana and Dennis Hyde.

Also, Parker Elizabeth Kelly of Monticello, the daughter of Stephanie and Scott Kelly; Owen Anderson Kimball of Covington, son of JoEllen Kimball and Scott Kimball; Dalton Lloyd Knox of Covington, son of Lisa and Dalton Knox; Peter Joseph Leonetti of Social Circle, son of Dawn and Pete Leonetti; Remington Taylor Marsh of Monticello, daughter of Barbara and Billy Craig and Tonya and Brian Marsh; Zackery Dillon Mayfield of Jackson, son of Debbie and David Dunn and Katie and Walter Mayfield, and Andrew David Mitchell of Covington, son of Rebekah and David Mitchell.

Also, Marissa Gayle Mooneyham of Monticello, daughter of Kathy and Marshall Mooneyham; Chase Conrad Olson of Covington, son of Erin and Cory Olson; JaDe’ Morgan Padgett of Jackson, daughter of Wendy and Ron Cawthon and George Padgett; Hunter Ellis Pope of Monticello, son of Julie Pope and Kenneth Pope; and Charles Henry Strickland of Covington, son of Becky Strickland and David Strickland.

Also, Morgan Lyn Tillman of Monticello, daughter of Nita and Tom Tillman; Joshua Kimsey Williams of Jackson, son of Deanna and Keith Williams; Dana Elisabeth Wright of Covington, daughter of Patricia Wright and the late Terry Wright; and Chase Parker Young of Covington, son of Erica and Jeremy Young.

Andrew Mitchell 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 2015 salutatorian, Marissa Mooneyham, delivered her speech. She thanked everyone for attending and the profound impact they have had on each graduate’s life. She quoted Edgar Allan Poe, “It is by no means an irrational fancy – that a future existence – we shall look upon what we think our present existence, as a dream.” She reflected the various stages of a young student’s development through the years of elementary, middle, and high school and some of the awkward moments they experience. She closed her speech by quoting President John F. Kennedy, “For time and the world do not stand still. Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past, or the present, are certain to miss the future.”

Valedictorian Cheyenne Galloway opened her speech by how her classmates measured time. She spoke of how confident they would be by the time they were seniors so they could “rule the school!” That time, she noted, passed very quickly and now they are leaving the place where they have grown into young adulthood. Speaking on behalf of the class, Miss Galloway said they would always be grateful for the lessons they learned, the experiences they underwent, and the relationships they formed. She spoke of how honored and privileged she was to go on this journey with her graduating class and wished them all to become the best person they could possibly be. In her closing remarks, she quoted Eleanor Roosevelt, “The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams.”

Class member, Gabriel Courtman, performed “Taking Chances” by Poncedt, Donnaes, Rigal, and Cordebard. Junior class member, Steve Martin, accompanied Courtman with electric guitar.

Headmaster Tanner explained to the audience the significance of the regalia worn by the graduates. Each member stood as he/she was recognized for their achievements.

Special distinction graduates included Adamczyk, Beggs, Boyd, Galloway, Hallman, Leonetti, Mitchell, Mooneyham, C. Olson, Strickland, and Tillman. They wore a white cord representing a 95 or above cumulative average in the core area of her 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 Andrews, Cantera, Courtman, Hyde, Kelly, Knox, Padgett, Pope, and Williams.

Members of Piedmont’s National Honor Society were represented by Boyd, Cantera, Galloway, Leonetti, Mitchell, and Tillman. 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 eighty-eight or above cumulative average during high school with the BETA emblem adhered to their gold-colored stole included Adamczyk, Andrews, Beggs, Boyd, Cantera, Courtman, Galloway, Hallman, Hyde and Kelly.

Mitchell wore an additional cord woven in red, white, and blue presented by the YMCA (Young Men’s Community Association or simply “Y”) for serving as Georgia’s governor of the youth in government program. The “Y” promotes Christian principals put into practice by developing a healthy mind, body, and spirit and developing healthy living and social responsibility.

Graduates with an additional gold tassel on their cap represented a 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 Adamczyk, Beggs, Boyd, Cantera, Courtman, Galloway, Knox, Leonetti, Mitchell, Mooneyham, Olson, Strickland, and Tillman. The remaining graduates received a college preparatory diploma.

This was followed by Headmaster Tanner and board of trustees’ chair, Mitch McEwen awarding the Class of 2015 diplomas and requesting the parents of the graduate to stand as their son or daughter was recognized. As their name was called, he announced the college or trade the graduate would pursue after graduation.

Their selections included Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College – Padgett and Perry; Coastal Georgia – Kimball; Darton College – Davis; Elon University – Adamczyk; Emmanuel College – Galloway; Fort Valley – Dave; Georgia College & State University – Williams; Georgia Perimeter – Marsh; Georgia Southern – Knox and Wright; Georgia State – Courtman; Georgia Military College – Burson and Tillman; Gordon – Andrews and Kelly; Huntingdon – Young; North Georgia – Olson, Pope, and Cantera; Southern Crescent – Hardy; University of Georgia – Hallman, Leonetti, Mitchell, Mooneyham, and Strickland; Valdosta State – Boyd and Hyde; Young Harris – Harris and Beggs; firefighter and emergency medical technician – Mayfield; and farming – Edge.

Tillman recognized the faculty and staff of the school and quoted Galileo, “you cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself.”

Olson recognized the parents of the graduates and thanked them for all their support from diapers to their graduation robe.

Strickland 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 today.

Kimball gave special acknowledgements to senior class advisors, Bobbi Sauls and Kirstie Lewis; graduation assistants Traci Brady, Ashley Cook, Elizabeth Davis, and Judy Nelson; senior class mascots, first grade students Olivia Mathews and Hunter Thomson who assisted the class during homecoming festivities, Senior Night, and graduation; junior class ushers Chris Cain, Becca Hopper, Morgan Leach, and Taylor Swart; gymnasium decorators Traci Brady, Elizabeth Davis, and Judy Nelson; piano and guitar accompanists Jackie Tarrah and Steve Martin; the school’s lunchroom staff, Wendy Wood, Alison Hildebrant, and Lori Potts; and all faculty and staff but especially George Goodman, Teresa Reed, Tony Tanner, and Carole Tyler.

The tassel ceremony was led by Mitchell followed by everyone singing the school’s alma mater. Galloway 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 throwing their cap high in the air as all in attendance clapped and cheered good wishes, was enjoyed by everyone.