By By Mary-Allison Lancaster – Managing Editor
T.R. Miller High School handed out 76 diplomas during Friday night's commencement ceremonies held at the auditorium located on the campus of Jefferson Davis Community College.
Graduates were milling around prior to the ceremony as parents and relatives sat inside saving seats, often glancing toward the back of the auditorium hoping to catch a glimpse of their graduate.
Before the ceremony, seniors gave final hugs and handshakes to fellow classmates, as girls stood in front of the large mirror inside the atrium of the auditorium and pinned bobby pins in their hair to secure the caps on their heads.
Jennifer Stringfield, who delivered the class history speech, labeled the Class of 2006 as &#8220smart groups.”
During her salutatorian speech, Catherine Stokes, who received a 4.12 GPA, said, success does not mean how much money you make, rather, &#8220the foundation of education, knowledge and beliefs will help us overcome our obstacles. Yes, we are the greatest class to graduate.”
Parker, who received a 4.1407 GPA, said he was honored to be on the stage with his fellow classmates and grateful to graduate from &#8220this community, this high school.”
In preparing for their newest obstacle, which is college or work, Parker left his classmates with the following words from Pat Conroy, author of &#8220The Prince of Tides,” &#8220Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers, that the mind can never break off from the journey.”