GRAFTON—What began as an idea to honor the dedication to learning possessed by the bright minds of Grafton High School (GHS), the Rotary Club of Grafton Honor Graduates Celebration has grown into an annual gathering celebrating achievement school of the best students of the school.
The ceremony began in 1984 as a banquet, and after being held this way for more than 35 years, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced Rotarians to find a workaround after large gatherings were suspended. .
With a new idea in mind, the first-ever honor graduate celebration was held outdoors at GHS in 2020. A special banner, used as a backdrop for photos, was created and then donated to the Class of 2020 for use in future meetings.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2021 recognition went the same way, but this year groups were allowed to gather once again. And while Rotarians hoped to return to their classic banquet, another problem arose that forced another change.
“In 2022, we are thrilled to be able to return to a celebration where all honor graduates can be recognized with their peers in a unique setting,” said Greg Cartwright, Educational Endowment Chair, Rotary Club of Grafton. . “With a record 68 honor graduates, we have once again modified our event.”
This year’s recognition evolved from a banquet to a celebration with hors d’oeuvres, accompanied by the GHS Jazz Band in the common area, followed by a more formal awards ceremony in the gymnasium of the school.
39and The annual Grafton Rotary Club Honor Graduate Celebration was dedicated to one of the event’s founders, Rotarian David Rogers.
“Tonight, we are honored to dedicate the 2022 Honor Celebration to one of our most dedicated Rotarians, Mr. Dave Rogers,” MC Mark Zeck announced, acknowledging the influence Rogers had on the event, the Rotary club and the community.
Zeck kept things moving by welcoming guests to the event and introducing the celebration’s guest speaker, who reminded honor graduates to never underestimate their potential and pursue their dreams.
In a heartwarming speech, 19th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Shawn D. Nines, who was a proud honors graduate of the Class of 1993, spoke to students about his legal journey, as well as the people who guided and supervised him along the way. way.
“In your future you will have myriad people working to support and mentor you, heed their advice and be grateful for their help,” Nines said. “And maybe one day you can be that mentor for someone else. I congratulate you all and look forward to the successes each of you will achieve.
During the evening, this year’s student guest speaker was called onto the stage to address his classmates.
Throughout his tenure at GHS, Braydon McCullough has been active in various student organizations, including the Youth Leadership Association, Future Business Leaders of America, Student Council, National Honor Society, and National Technical Honor Society, in addition to to be a track member. team.
And with a busy schedule, he says his four years at GHS went by quickly.
“Over the past few weeks, I have had a lot of time to reflect on the last four years of my life,” he addressed the honor graduates. “When I started thinking about the freshman year, I started to realize how quickly time went by and that freshman year wasn’t that long.”
In his recollection of his time at GHS, he noted that his class was unable to experience many of the traditional events due to COVID-19.
“The second year and the first year were ripped out of the palms of our hands, and we did nothing about it. For two years we had to walk around in fear of a new disease that had the potential to take our family and friends away from us,” McCullough said.
“Now we’re sitting here as honor graduates, the most this school has ever seen,” he added. “Let me just say, this is an achievement we should all be proud of… Congratulations to the Class of 2022 Honorary Graduates. I am beyond ecstatic to see where all your paths lead!
Each of the 68 students and their special guests, made up of teachers, coaches, preachers, family members and friends, were called to the stage one by one to receive certificates and medallions.
GHS 2022 Honor Graduates include: Cody James Abraham, Cerinity Dawn Beverly, Olivia Grace Bolliger, Benjamin Lee Bord, Daniel Lee Bord, Cayden Scott Boylen, Parker Ray Calvert, Aden Michael Carroll, Emily Jayne Cather, Torrie Lauren Cayton, Blake E. Copeland, Beau M. Dakon, Kaden Walker Delaney, Alynna Vivianne DeNike, Katelyn Rose Detamore, Aiden James Fancher, Mattie Ashlyn Flohr, Mckenzie Wanda Dae Flohr, Emma Rose Fridley, Sydney Rachelle Friend, Emily Jolene Gibson, Kelly Jo Grass , Mara LouAnn Griffith, Ashley Elizabeth Harrison, James Luther Helmondollar, Matthew Ray Helmondollar, Matthew Ryan Henline, Alyson Presley Hill, Sydney Brook Hodges, Karee Nichole Hutson, Gabriella Linn Kelly, Chase Allen Klepfel, Madeline Denise Lipscomb and Ryan David Maier.
Also, Colton Aaron Majercin, Frederique Shafica Maloley, Madison Joelle Mayle, Makenna Nicole Mayle, Ansley Kaylin McCartney, Braydon Allen McCullough, MacKenzie Jade Middleton, Brianna Aretta Miller, Caleb Matthew Minear, Tanner Riley Moats, Blayde Alexander Pinnell, Makenna Leigh Poling , Jaylen Arman Poole, Gracen Lauren Purkey, Elias Arthur Rubenstein, Alyssa Mackenzie Satterfield, Emily Jane Setler, Payton Summer Shreve, Eli Michael Shumaker, Madison Nicole Simmons, Amber Nichole Smith, Justin William Spiker, Gabriel Anthony Spino, Clayton Hunter Stanley, Mason Blake Stevens, Anna Marie Stottlemyer, Isabella Faith Swiger, Aniesa P. Taylor, Kathlynn Erica Thompson, Thaddeus Whitescarver, Cameron Dale Wiles, Brenna Marie Wilson, Ryan James Wolfe and Gavin Cole Wolverton were also recognized as honorary graduates.
The staff of the Mountain Statesman I would like to congratulate all of this year’s honor graduates and wish you much success for the future!
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