167 graduate from ECHS
The strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the Estill County High School Concert Band, under the direction of Jason Bowles, signaled the start of commencement exercises on Friday May 11 at Hoover Niece Field. There were 167 graduating seniors.
Junior ROTC Commander Trevor Charles introduced cadets bearing the flags and asked male graduates to remove their caps while the band played the Star Spangled Banner.
Class secretary Morgan Wiseman gave opening remarks and explained that the school had decided not to have a valedictorian or salutatorian this year. She told the graduates and the assembled guests that those with the highest grade point averages would be honored by the color of stoles worn around their necks.
She told them that those with a 4.0 or above were wearing black with gold lettering; those with 3.75 to 4.0 were wearing gold stoles with black lettering; and those with a GPA of 3.5 to 3.74 were wearing silver stoles with black lettering.
Principal Blain Click then recognized all the honor students.
The band played the senior musical selection “Romanesque,” and the senior chorus members, under the direction of Marsha Stone sang, “There’s a Place for Us.”
Director of Pupil Personnel Robert “Skip” Johnson presented attendance awards. Allison Ginter and Miranda Walters were awarded for not missing a day of their four years in high school.
Johnson presented an award to Robbie Walters for only missing three days of school in 13 years.
Daniella Powell was awarded for only missing three days of school during kindergarten in her 12 years of schooling while Phillip Kelly II only missed one day in 12 years. Rebecca Edmonson had perfect attendance for 12 years.
The top attendance awards went to Matthew Smith and Cassidy Flynn who attended school every day it was in session for 13 years.
There was an empty chair placed in front of the stage in memory of Cody Culton. His posthumous diploma was presented to his family. Miranda Dowdy read a memorial tribute written by Cody’s teachers. Blue and white balloons were released into the air while a recording of Blake Shelton’s song “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” was played.
After Superintendent Bert Hensley presented diploma’s to the class, President Cassidy Flynn gave the charge to the class and Click presented the class and told them to change their tassels to the other sign of their caps.
Brooklyn Meeks gave closing remarks.
After the ceremonial tossing of the capsy, the crowd was surprised and pleased when the “special music selection” on the program turned out to the Engineer Fight Song played by the award winning EHS band. Their signature “train” sounds that herald the song is known through out the region and is always a crowd pleaser.
When the ceremonies ended the seniors were greeted and congratulated by their loved ones.