A joint address by Sarah Owen,
valedictorian, and Hannah Scruton,
salutatorian.
INDIVIDUAL & GROUP GRADUATION PHOTOS CAN
BE
VIEWED AND
PURCHASED HERE.
MCKENZIE (May 18) Eighty-eight students
graduated during Sunday afternoon
commencement ceremonies in the gymnasium at
McKenzie High School. The event was marked
with a unique combination
valedictory-salutatory address, no class
song, and three sets of twins graduating.
The twins include: Jordan and Jolie Reid,
Cody and Josie Jarrett, and Brandie and
Courtney Ownby.
Valedictorian Sarah Owen and Salutatorian
Hannah Scruton, friends since childhood,
stood side by side and delivered the unique
address – possibly the first combination
address delivered at McKenzie High School.
Each of the 88 graduates crossed the
elevated platform as LaDona Herrin announced
their names, and John Austin, chairman of
the Board of Education presented the
diplomas. Terry Howell, principal, shook
each graduate’s hand as he or she departed
the stage. In another break from tradition,
one student was moved to the front of the
line to receive his diploma first. Ms.
Herrin moved Michael Evans to the front of
the line so that he could depart immediately
to begin his service as a U.S. Marine.
Hannah Scruton and teacher Kevin Gallimore
were named as the star student, star
teacher. Scruton had the highest ACT
composite score. She chose teacher Kevin
Gallimore as the teacher who had the
greatest influence on her.
The graduates were seated at floor-level in
the gymnasium with the men wearing the
traditional gray gowns and the ladies
wearing the red gowns.
In Scruton’s and Owen’s address, the two
said, “We know that it is traditional for
the valedictorian and salutatorian to give
separate addresses. However, as members of
the class of 2008, who have made it a habit
to break tradition, we thought it would be
more suitable to do something that would
make Mr. Howell very nervous... I think we
succeeded.
“In Alex Haley’s office there was a
picture of a turtle on a fencepost. He kept
it there to remind himself that the turtle
had to have help getting up there and
likewise, he had help with all of his
accomplishments.
“Just as the turtle had help getting on
top of that fencepost, we all had help
getting to this point as graduates.
“So we thought it would be more
appropriate to give this speech together, to
illustrate how we all need help sometimes.
Twins Jordan and Jolie Reid share the joy of
graduating.
“It is obvious how we needed help in our
younger years. We couldn’t even be quiet
without a quiet finger to shut our mouths or
behave without the threat of a white slip.
From the beginning we have looked to each
other for help. For example I remember an
incident where I learned that it takes two
to see-saw, but it only takes one jumping
off for the other to fall to the ground We
also worked together to attempt to stay
quiet at lunch but we all know the shame of
the sad face. The teamwork involved in field
day tested our need for each other. What
would a three legged race be with only two
legs?
“As we went to middle school, we held on
to each other. Mary Selimich, columnist for
the Chicago Tribune said, “Understand that
friends come and go, but of a precious few
you should hold on. The older you get, the
more you need the people who knew you when
were young.” So with a new building came new
challenges to help each other through.”
The two spoke about high school dances,
text messaging, high school sports, and
helping each other.
“Now those first jobs are changing into
careers, although we are taking different
paths to get to them.
“Sadly, the time has come for us to go
our separate ways, and for the most part our
times of leaning on each other have ended.
But this does not mean that any of us are
through receiving or giving help. As Kurt
Cobain (someone who should have listened to
his own advice) said, “If you ever need
anything please don’t hesitate to ask
someone else first.” As we have pointed out,
there have been numerous occasions when we
have all received help thus far. Without
that help we would not have been able to
succeed with graduating high school, and
without more help we will not succeed in the
future.
Not only have we helped each other, there
are many other people who have helped us
along the way. We couldn’t talk about people
who have helped us without mentioning our
teachers, they have disciplined us and
taught us values, as well as prepared us for
the next level, And although at times we
were not as thankful as we should have been,
as we walk across this stage we will have
never been more appreciative. Now that we
are leaving MHS…
“So, class of 2008, take a lesson from
the past and be unrelenting in seeking out
help. Sometimes it takes patience to find
people who can help, but remember when
you’re frustrated or angry with people, it
might be because you haven’t given them
enough time. Never give up on people who
could potentially help you, or that you
could potentially help. Though many of us
are about to leave home, and all of us are
going to next level we will never be above
getting help. We will also never be above
giving help. As we become successful,
remember all of the people who helped with
that success. We are becoming more and more
independent, and the more we help ourselves
the more we should help others. Audrey
Hepburn once said, remember if you ever need
a helping hand, it’s at the end of your arm.
As you get older, remember you have another
hand: the first is to help yourself the
second is to help others? We are getting
older, so it is time to give back as much as
we have been given. But remember regardless
of how old we get, we will always be in need
of help sometimes.
Because without more help to get down,
the turtle left on a fencepost will die.”
Class president Jordan Reid, said, “I want
to thank all of those who have helped each
of us graduates get to this point. I want to
thank the patents for their love, the
teachers for their hard work, and the
administrators for their dedication to
providing a safe and effective learning
environment. The encouragement and the
advice that these groups of people have
given us throughout our high school career
have been cornerstones to our development as
unique individuals. I want to extend a
special appreciation to Mr. Terry Howell,
Ms. LaDona Herrin, Mr. John Austin, and Mr.
James Ward for being here today to take part
in this ceremony. I also thank the dedicated
members of the cafeteria staff who, for the
past four years, have faithfully provided us
with a smorgasbord of mechanically processed
meats, and the custodians for giving us
clean porcelain.
Four years ago, when, we first stepped
foot on the cold tile floors of McKenzie
High School, we were uncertain of what the
future would hold. Each of us, however, was
unique in our endeavors. Some intended to
letter in a sport. A few continued a musical
career in band. A small group set out to
become the top ten. Others became occupied
trying to figure out where the 200 wing was.
We were full of questions: ‘Which academic
path should I take?” “What classes are best
for me?’ “If I buy this chicken sandwich,
will I really get more ‘Clux for my bucks’?”
These begging questions, however, were
soothed as we became more familiar with our
surroundings.”
He spoke about the high school years,
driver’s education, the state’s decision to
lower the grade-letter standard for students
in an effort to create a uniform
letter-grade system statewide, the 2006
Class A baseball championship for the
Rebels, and the first-ever appearance at the
state football playoffs in 2007 for the
Rebels. “Though defeated, we were all
grateful to have had the rare opportunity to
participate in the once in a lifetime
moment,” said Reid. “As the year winded
down, most of us had our plans for the
post-secondary education world established.
A large number aspired to attend college or
technical school. Some planned to enter the
workforce. A few decided to just be slackers
for the rest of their lives. Whatever the
outlook, we were all just ready to graduate.
And class, here we are.
“Looking back, our time at McKenzie High
School has been an eventful one. Each of us
has had our fair share of happiness, sadness
and confusion. As we gather, a variety of
emotions overcome us; we are overjoyed to
start a new chapter in life yet upset that
we are parting from close friends. But we
should always remember the memories we had
together as a class, and the lessons we
learned here…
“Here’s to the Class of 2OO8, Free at
last, free at last; thank God Almighty,
we’re free at last!”
The 2008 graduates include: Bethany Michelle
Aden, Dallas Brent Baker, Jacob Thomas
Baker, Jessica Rose Baker, Brittany Michelle
Ballentine, Keenan James Bannon, Jana Lynn
Barham, Matthew James Bowlin, Joshua Ryne
Brown, Michael Andrew Brown, Christopher
Grant Bush, John Philip Campbell, Derek Joe
Carr, Harvey Russell Chapman, IV, Anthony
Blake Clark, John Raymond Clark, Travis Lee
Coleman, Zackery Waylon Cox, Mattie Chloe
Cunningham, Megan Joy Downing, Angelo Reece
Edwards, Cory Lee Ellis, William Blake
Ellis, Michael Ray Evans, Jr., Lauren
Bridgett Flippin, Malissa Ann Greenway,
Samantha Marie Gwaltney, Christina Marie
Haney, Damon William Hardy, Elijah Paul
Harris, Kendra Brooke Hollingsworth, Bethany
Joy Hollowell,Mallory Ranae Holt, Cody James
Jarrett, Josie Jean Jarrett, Joseph David
Johnson, James Parker Jones, Clinton Ray Kee,
Kyle Andrew Kirk, Blaine Bladimir Lee,
Morgan Katherine Limbaugh, Tasha Lyn Lowe,
Dusty Lyn Mann, Anthony Richard Mattox,
Michael Jay McCann, II, Cecily Anne McCulley,
Clint Adam Mealer
Felicia Alyssa Mesavage, Lydia Nicole Milam,
Heather Imogene Miller, Jill Ann Mitchell,
Tyler Xaziver Corey Moore, Tamara Jo Mort,
Rachel Catherine Newman, Tyler Cody Norris,
Megan Ashley Nutting, Sarah Christine Owen,
Chrystal Gayle Owens, Trina Latifa Owens,
Brandie Marie Ownby, Courtney Sherrie Ownby,
Joel Matthew Oyebi, Shabree Deval Payne±,
Colby Lynne Prosser, Janet Lee Quinn, Tyler
Joe Reeder, Jolie Suzette Reid, Jordan Brett
Reid, Joshua Aaron Rhoads, Holly Nicole
Richardson, James Nicholas Riggs, Lesley Ann
Robertson, Travis Ray Russell, Tonya Leigh
Sarkozi, Justin James Savage, Hannah
Kathleen Scruton*, Todd William Sherrod,
Ashley Marie Stewart, Jessie Lee Townes,
Jr., Crystal Nicole Tubbs, Joshua Robert
Beau Tucker, Christopher Cresencio Ventura,
Jeffrey Scott Vermillion, Travis Scott
Watson, KéAnthony Darrell Weatherford,
Samantha carol Wheat, Austin Joe Winstead,
and Alexandria LeAnne Yoblonski. |
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