Loose Leaf Notes

– The following first appeared in the Floyd Press on June 2, 2016

The 54th Floyd County High School Graduation took place under blue skies. It was the first time in 23 years that the ceremony was held outside, after the 1993 graduation was interrupted by a rainstorm. In recent years, graduation attendance has outgrown the space in the new gym.  The 2016 ceremony was held at the school football field on Saturday at 10 a.m. 

FCHS Principal Dr. Scott Watson gave a Welcome Address to bleachers full of attendees, outlining the honors and certificates that the 152 graduating students earned. “To demonstrate the confidence that others have in this distinguished class of seniors, our class of 2016 has received nearly one million dollars in scholarships, community and local awards,” he summarized.  “Each of you is honored today, but remember, even greater rewards will come when you continue to be honorable each day of your life in all things you do,” he concluded.

Class President Molly Bradshaw thanked her family and addressed the crowd with emotion and humor.  Her comment ‘I can even see some of you wiping away your tears, but if you need a tissue you’re going to have to wait until next year when tissues are back in the school budget’ brought an outburst of laughter.  “From diapers to diplomas, we finally made it,” she said.

Class Valedictorian Alex Conner expressed his gratefulness for the “great influences” in his life, including his parents.  He acknowledged the great teachers, coaches, guidance counselors and the administration at FCHS.  He spoke about how graduating and leaving this one stoplight town in the fall is both exciting and scary. “But fear is only temporary. Regret lasts a lifetime,” he said.

Class Salutatorian Katie Lane also spoke.  The FCHS choir, led by Sandra Smith, performed “You Raise Me Up” and “What a Wonderful World.”

Diplomas were presented by Assistant Principals Timothy Miles and Barry Hollandsworth and Principal Watson.  Superintendent Dr. Kevin Harris was onstage to offer graduates congratulations.  Harris also pronounced the confirmation of the graduate’s new status.  Being outside, some of them threw their caps in the air. _______Colleen Redman

A new graduate stops to pose for a photo as another receives his diploma.

Umbrellas were used, not for rain protection, but to shade the sun.

A mortar board message says it all.

Some graduates threw their caps in the air upon the graduation pronouncement by Superintendent Harris.

Let the post graduation posing for pictures and with babies begin.

Graduate Cristal Martinez holds onto congratulatory balloons as she poses with family members.

Graduates Crislynne Lytton, Skyler Williams and Brianna Huff show off flowers, caps and diplomas. Williams said she enjoyed having the ceremony outside.

Graduate Veronica Obando is an exchange student from Ecuador. She is pictured with friends and her host family, Pat Woodruff and Woody Woodruff.

Graduate Natasha Jax happily poses with her grandmother, Kalinda Wycoff, and her aunt.

Hugs were in order.

More hugs.

Graduate Eric McCully Gresham is pictured with his mother, Linda McCully.

_____Colleen Redman / Our World Tuesday