By Don Rutledge
FPS Associate Editor
June 2, 2009
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| A portion of the overflow crowd listens during the presentation of diplomas at Carrollton High School’s commencement ceremonies Friday evening at Community Field stadium. |
An overflow crowd estimated at nearly 2,500 people attended commencement exercises Friday evening when 227 seniors approved for graduation received their diploma.
In fact, the exercises were delayed for some 15 minutes due to traffic backed up on SR 332, waiting to get into Community Field where the program was held. The bleachers were completely filled and the crowd spilled out onto the bank areas on both sides of the home bleachers while several chose to stand behind to watch the ceremony.
Perfect weather prevailed for the graduation exercises with the temperature hovering in the mid 70s.
The commencement ceremonies opened with a welcome by Carrollton Schools Supt. Palmer E. Fogler, followed by the processional of graduates and flag raising. Participating in the flag raising were Fred Barnett Jr., representing Carroll Post 428 of the American Legion, Toby Davis and Troy Cox, both representing Fighting McCook Post 3301, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Senior Chamber Chorus members, under the direction of Mrs. Mindy Domer, led the singing of the National Anthem and The Alma Mater, followed by class addresses given by Randall Paul Leopold, the 2009 class valedictorian, and Jessica Pearl Burks, the 2009 class salutatorian.
In her remarks and congratulations to the class of 2009, Supt. Fogler noted 37 of the 227 graduates received Honors Diplomas, 27 were recipients of the Award of Merit, 19 received the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, 22 were members of the National Honor Society and three students were members of the Vocational Honor Society at Buckeye Career Center, while 42 were members of the Academic Hall of Fame.
“The class of 2009 will be doing many things after graduation,” she continued.
The Superintendent said 22 students plan to go into full time employment, 125 plan on attending a four or two-year college, 13 plan on attending some kind of specialized training and 18 plan on entering the Armed Forces.
“Of the 125 students planning to attend college, 62 have received scholarships totaling $857,950.
Of that, $81,000 is from local scholarships. So as you can see, this is another impressive graduating class,” Supt. Fogler added.
In addressing the graduates, Supt. Fogler told them their diploma means they are officially a Carrollton graduate and that means society considers them an adult.
“And for your parents that’s an adjustment. For the past 18 years they have worried, advised, chased, scolded and praised you for what you’ve done - and now you are all grown up!”
“Graduation signals to all of us that the class of 2009 is ready to meet the next challenges in their life,” she added.
In her closing remarks, Supt. Fogler para phrased a well known author who said:
You have brains in your head
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself any direction you choose
You are on you own
And you know what you know
You are the guy who’ll decide where to go!
“Congratulations and best wishes to the class of 2009,” she said.
Following Supt. Fogler’s remarks, Carrollton High School Principal recognized two members of the class of 2009 who had 13 years of perfect school attendance. They were Brittany Moyer and Kayla Bennett.
A special presentation as given by Laken Underwood, a member of the class of 2009 who recognized the 18 class members who are military bound.
Following is a list of those graduates which she read and the branch of the Armed Services they are entering:
Air Force
Ashley Bradley, Nicholas Lafferty and Eric Manzella.
Army National Guard
Aaron Carmine, Gage Hartong, Doug Kaley, Casey Matie, Robert McGuire and Justin Rogers.
Army
Jake Chester, Cory Shriner, Nicholas Voulgares, C. Ryan Willson and Chris Young.
Marines
Eric Lanham and Ivar Perkins.
Navy
Kyle Gibson and Bernie McHenry.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of the class of 2009 by CHS Principal David Davis, and presentation of diplomas by members of the Carrollton Board of Education. They included Mrs. Rose M. Kienzle, Board president; D. Cory Lutton, vice president, and Members J. Douglas Frampton, Dr. Keith D. Burgett and Mrs. Bonnie J. Little. Also taking part in the diploma presentation were Supt. Fogler and Tom Hackenbracht, Director of Operations at Buckeye Career Center.
Following the turning of tassels, the class of 2009 marched from the Community Field into adulthood. |
