Twenty four Lingleville Cardinal graduates flew the nest into the bright new world after commencement ceremonies Friday, May 23.
The students were welcomed by a plethora of family, friends and wellwishers in the Lingleville High School gymnasium.
As the seniors moved through the ceremony, a slideshow was presented featuring photos of each student accompanied by music.
Roses were also presented by the seniors to people in the audience that made an impact on their lives thus far including parents, grandparents and teachers.
Scholarships were announced for the Class of 2025 with the total being more than $760,000. (For complete scholarship coverage, see story on B1).
“Eighteen of our graduating seniors have earned a combined total of 835 college credit hours acknowledged on their high school Academic Achievement Record. They have a combined college credit grade point average of 3.6. Eleven of our seniors graudated from Ranger College three weeks ahead of their high school graduation; 10 of them with their Associate degrees and one with their welding certification,” Superintendent DeeCee McDougal said.
As students were presented their scholarships, each senior as one final joke presented a tiny cat to Principal Sanders who has a strong dislike of the creatures, but a large collection in his office thanks to students and staff.
Mrs. McDougal also announced the highest ranking senior, Anyelin Maldonado Ruiz, Valedictorian Emma Hudson and Salutatorian Cambri Coburn.
Hudson said in her Valedictory address: “As parents, as hard as it is to see your little one go, always remember that this chapter may be closing, but an even bigger and better one is opening. And for any of you Amazing Spider-man fans out there: ‘I know it feels like we’re saying goodbye, but we will carry a piece of each other into everything that we do next, to remind us of who we are, and of who we’re meant to be. I’ve had a great four years with you, and I’ll miss you all very much.”
Coburn said in her Salutatory address: “An author we probably saw everywhere as children, Dr Seuss, once said “You never really know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” I believe that can be said for a pretty large amount of my experiences with these people. And when I look at this class, not only do I see all the memories we made together, but the futures we have to look forward to. Our paths include a wide-range of career options. Some of us want to help people in the medical field, some of us want to inspire the next generations through education, and some want to expand people’s horizons by openingabusiness.Whatever future this class chooses to pursue, I’m confident that it can be achieved.”
At the end of ceremony graduates gathered in a circle tossing their hats into the air.