Senath-Hornersville graduates 47: 'Look forward to the journey that lies ahead'

Senath-Hornersville 2009 Valedictorian Rebecca Hutchison, right, and Salutatorian Lindsey Atchison, left, were recipients of several scholarships during the annual commencement ceremony on Thursday night.

Staff photo by Joshua Payne

These 47 students saying good-bye to the high school included Charles Adams, Lindsay Atchison, Timmy Burns, Jr., Hunter Christain, Emily Clark, Logan Cole, Randy Coleman, Ronald Coleman, Kristian Cross, Molly Dempsey, Justin Duvall, Laurell Gamblin, Omar Garcia, Nathan Glover, Destiny Hart, Johnny Hindmon, Rebecca Hutchison, Cyrus Jackson, Brittany Jones, Stephen Langdon, Susan Latting, Tyler Lowe, Adam Mansfield, Kimberly Mansfield, Jennifer Marroquin, Keila Marroquin, Cody Morgan, Bradley Moss, Aqukeen Neal, Wiston Nino, Cesar Olivas, Zachary Oltman, Jase Payne, Jena Payne, Andrew Prince, Cassandra Ray, Zachary Richter, Gilberto Salas, Terry Scott, Jr., Ariel Sparks, Logan Tansil, Whitney Trainer, Matthew Wadley, Maryann Wallace, Jesse Whitledge, Sara Wilhite, and Rebecca Dean Wisdom.

The ceremony began with the high school band performing "Pomp and Circumstance" as the senior classmates of 2009 made their entrance.

Following the students reaching their positions for the ceremony, graduating senior Cassandra Ray vocally performed "I'm Moving On," accompanied by Jason Ray on the piano. This performance led to another vocal by the entire high school choir, which performed "My Wish." Graduating seniors Kristian Cross and Maryann Wallace summed up the vocal performances with their rendition of "The Climb."

After these performances, senior class president Rebecca Wisdom gave the Welcome Address for the event.

Wisdom began by welcoming fellow classmates, faculty, family, and friends to the class' graduating ceremony.

"We would like to thank you for joining us on this momentous occasion," Wisdom said. "If it weren't for you, your guidance and support, and most of all your prayers, we wouldn't be here today."

She continued by informing the guests that the class will walk from the gym that night leaving behind friends and memories, but will always remember where they came from.

"We ask that each of you here tonight continue to support us with your encouragement and wisdom as we take the next step in our lives," Wisdom said. "Again, thank you and God bless."

The high school band followed the introduction by performing "Canon in D."

The next portion of the ceremony included high school principal Kim Campbell honoring the Valedictorian and Salutatorian. The Valedictorian for the 2009 Senath-Hornersville class was Rebecca Hutchison, and the Salutatorian for the class was Lindsay Atchison.

Atchison is the daughter of Tonya Atchison, of Senath, and Jim Atchison, of Rives, and is graduating with a 3.987 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, Campbell noted.

He continued by listing the various clubs and activities that Atchison has been involved with throughout her career at Senath-Hornersville. She has earned gold medals in Biology, Band, and Keyboarding, while receiving honorable mentions in Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, Trigonometry, English III, and English I, according to Campbell. He informed the crowd that in the Fall, Lindsay will be attending the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine.

Hutchison is the daughter of Scott and Beth Hutchison, of Hornersville, and is graduating with a 4.135 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Hutchison has obtained gold medals in English I, II, III; Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Spanish I, II; American History, World History, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Applications, Anatomy, Calculus, Desktop Publishing, and Keyboarding.

She has also been involved in numerous clubs and activities through her high school career.

Hutchison's honors consist of being selected Student of the Month each year, recipient of the Academic Achievement Award for four years, being selected among the Senior Who's Who, named as recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award, and being chosen as a Girl's State Delegate, Campbell added.

Hutchison gave her address to the class, following her introduction. She began by congratulating the class of 2009 adding that they finally made it.

"We have all faced our share of struggles throughout our school career, this year included," Hutchison said. "We've managed to complete numerous fundraisers for our senior trip and school clubs, receive passing grades on Mr. Speak's final paper, survive three weeks without electricity and manage to come to school, complete our senior year without a spring break, and lastly plan a successful senior trip around swine flu, drug wars, and pirates."

She continued her address thanking every one in attendance including family, friends, teacher, faculty, and community members. Reminding those present that they helped make the class who they were today.

"Tonight marks a new beginning for each one of us," Hutchison explained. "We say good-bye to this journey we've called high school for the past four years and look forward to the journey that lies ahead."

She challenged all of the classmates to always follow their dreams and never sell themselves short.

Hutchison quoted Booker T. Washington, "I found a quote that seems to be fitting for the occasion, 'I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.'"

She reminded the students that they would not all be doctors and lawyers, but while they are noble professions, she encouraged all of the classmates to find something they love to do and make the most of every opportunity given to them.

"Always remember failure comes before success," she added. "Always remember, God has a perfect plan for each and every one of our lives. We may be unaware of that plan right now, but just remember that God is in control, and always sees the bigger picture."

She informed the fellow students that each held a special place in her heart.

"Together we have made great memories at Senath-Hornersville High School that will last us a lifetime," Hutchison said. "I love you all. God bless each and every one of you."

Hutchison's address led into the presentation of scholarships for the class by Mary Davidson and Sarah Bibbs, senior class sponsors.

Scholarship recipients for the 2009 class included Cesar Oliva - Art Club; Laurell Gamblin - Senator and Mrs. Nelson B. Tinnin; Cody Morgan - Rives Community; Rebecca Hutchison - Hornersville Alumni; McCall Latting - Four Way Gin; Lindsay Atchison and Logan Cole - Farmers and Merchants; Rebecca Hutchison and Brittany Jones - FCCLA; McCall Latting and Logan Tansil - Sam Johnson Memorial; Chas Adams, Logan Cole, Rebecca Hutchison, McCall Latting, Kim Mansfield, Jena Payne, Logan Tansil, Jesse Whitledge, Rebecca Wisdom - National Honor Society; Chas Adams - Science Club; Chas Adams and Rebecca Hutchison - Student Government, Cesar Olivas - Spanish Club; Rebecca Hutchison and Brittany Jones - FBLA; Keila Marroquin and Jena Payne - Softball Association; Rebecca Wisdom - Hornersville Order of Eastern Star; Chas Adams, Kim Mansfield, and Jesse Whitledge - Senath Lions Club; Lindsay Atchison - Senath State Bank; Rebecca Hutchison - Kennett National Bank; McCall Latting and Jena Payne - SH CTA; Kimberly Mansfield, Keila Marroquin, and Mary Ann Wallace - SH Band Boosters; Chas Adams and Lindsay Atchison - Ma'Kel Berry Memorial; Adam Mansfield - Lewis Aukes Family; Logan Cole and Rebecca Hutchison - Hornersville American Legion; Chas Adams - Senath American Legion; Chas Adams - Senath Women's Club; Rebecca Hutchison - SADD Club; Laurell Gamblin - Bobby and Lynn Fritz; Rebecca Hutchison - Hornersville Masonic Lodge; Chas Adams and Logan Tansil - National Wild Turkey Federation; Jesse Whitledge - Missouri University of S&T; Lindsay Atchison - UMKC; Chas Adams, Lindsay Atchison, Logan Cole, Laurell Gamblin, Rebecca Hutchison, Kim Mansfield, Cody Morgan, and Jesse Whitledge - Arkansas Northeastern; McCall Latting - LaFemme Club; Tyler Lowe - Nucor-Yamato; Cassandra Ray - Brigham Young; Laurell Gamblin - Three Rivers; Chas Adams - Mississippi State

Next in the ceremony was the presentation of the class of 2009 by Campbell. Each member of the 2009 graduating class received handshakes from Superintendent Larry Wood and School Board President Terry Scott, while receiving their individual high school diploma.

Salutatorian Lindsay Atchison, giving the farewell address, reminded the crowd that sometimes students could appear ungrateful. She added that the class is fully aware that they have had opportunities that many young people around the world never dream of experiencing.

"Tonight, we wish to express our gratitude to those that have contributed to our lives and to our education," Atchison said.

She thanked the Board of Education for the hours toiled over expenses and difficult decisions, the superintendent for guiding the employees, the principal for keeping the students on the straight and narrow, the teachers for tireless contribution and effort to bring the class to graduation, those who drove buses, prepared meals, cleaned up behind the students and made the campus a place to be proud of, and the parents for putting up with the students.

"You have been the driving force behind us and without your love and support we would not be here tonight," Atchison said of the parents.

She continued the farewell by challenging classmates to learn to make a difference in peoples' lives.

"It doesn't matter what we choose for an occupation or what path we take," Atchison said. "I hope that our class can be people that impact others' lives in a positive way."

She ended the speech with two quotes, the first being from the bible. "To whom much is given, much is required," Atchison quoted.

The second quote was from the late Lindsey Pruett, "In life we do things. Some, we wish we had never done and some we wish we could replay a million times. But, they all make us who we are and in the end, they shape and detail us. If we were to reverse them, we wouldn't be the same person we are today. So just live. Make mistakes and have wonderful memories. But, never second guess who you are, where you've been, and most importantly where you're going," Atchison quoted.

The band began to perform "Pomp and Circumstance" for the second time of the evening as the 2009 senior class of Senath-Hornersville repositioned to toss their hats into the air celebrating the ceremony.

The Senath-Hornersville 2009 senior class exited the high school the final time as students on Thursday night, and began a new journey of their lives.