By Staff
TRM STUDENTS LOOK BACK, AHEAD
By Kerry Whipple Bean – publisher
After some anxious moments and endless snapshots with family and friends, graduates of T.R. Miller High School walked across the stage at Jefferson Davis Community College Friday night to receive their diplomas.
In speeches throughout the evening, their fellow students reminded them of where they have been - and how many opportunities lie ahead.
Student Government Association president Kaitlyn Griffin shared memories of their school journey, from kindergarten to senior year.
T.R. Miller had more than 80 graduates this year, with many headed to colleges and universities on thousands of dollars worth of scholarships.
Salutatorian Brad Smith, who has a scholarship to Auburn University, told his fellow graduates they had come a long way - with the help of family, friends and God.
Valedictorian Kelly Stallworth, a National Merit Scholar who plans to attend the University of Alabama, said he and his fellow graduates have &#8220endless opportunities” ahead of them.
NEAL STUDENTS TOLD TO "DREAM BIG"
By Lisa Tindell – news reporter
Dreaming big was on the mind of 91 seniors as graduation ceremonies were held at W.S. Neal High School Friday night.
Katelin Meridith Hulley, the class valedictorian, addressed her fellow graduates and urged them to have passion in life.
Desiree Sutton Peagus, a 1980 graduate of W.S. Neal High School, returned to her alma mater to deliver the commencement address. Paeguas serves as the chief justice in the juvenile court system in Atlanta.
After relating a story about a war pilot who parachuted into enemy hands during the Vietnam War, she asked the graduates about their parachutes.
Presenting musical selections during the evening was Monica Renee Floyd, a 1994 graduate of W.S. Neal High School.
As Patricia Frazier, assistant principal at W.S. Neal High School, read the names of each graduate, Phillip Ellis, principal, presented to diplomas and certificates to those who walked across the stage.
Katelin Hulley was the first graduate to receive a diploma followed by Jessica Johnson.
The top ten students followed the pair in accepting their diplomas. They were, in order of ranking, Aaron Joseph Lambert, Ashley Nichole Baker, Alexander Matthew Ramirez, Jennifer Trea Coale, Courtney Paige Folsom, Krystle Rae Williams, Jared Keith Cooper, Tierra Shanta Andrews, Jessica Renee Smith and Jessica Farren Fountain.
Aaron Lambert presented opening remarks for the evening with closing remarks by Ashley Nichole Baker. Jessica Renee Smith introduced the guest speaker for the evening.