SPARTA — On Sunday at 2:30 p.m., Highland High School conferred diplomas on 113 members of the class of 2008. Recognition was given to the top five students in each course of study.
Randy Winland of the Tri Rivers Career Center honored the top five vocational students: Cody Hunter, Katelynn Scavone, Beth Allen, Candace Estes and Amber Roush.
The two-year college preparatory students were introduced by Joel Liles from Marion Technical College. They included Zack Messmer, Cereda Vest, Adam Dillion, Casey Pontius and Brittany Baldwin. The four-year college preparatory students were honored by high school math teacher Bradley Smith. First in the class was Jennifer Klugh, second was Binta Patel followed by Taylor Harris, Rachael Thurneyssen and Samantha Melvin.
Smith was also the honored guest of the class and spoke to the graduates, as did Klugh, Melvin and Thurneyssen.
The class officers hosted the commencement ceremony. Andrew Meade welcomed the class; Klugh, Tori Carpenter and Caitlin Sparks introduced the speakers and presenters. Carpenter and Sparks gave the closing remarks. Melvin, class president, directed the class in the changing of the tassels.
The class officers, on behalf of their classmates, dedicated the ceremony and then presented memorial shadowboxes to the families of Lincoln Squires and Justin Romans, “The ones we walk without.” Squires and Romans passed away in 2004 and 2006.
Senior choir members performed “The Graduation Song” by the Dave Matthews Band. They were introduced by Kevin Adams. The Highland High School symphonic band, under the direction of Heather D.P. Bishop, performed the processional and the recessional, along with the Highland Alma Mater and the national anthem. The honor escorts for the class of 2008 were juniors Austin Kucera and Samantha Baldwin. Student Council members served as ushers for the ceremony. The Navy Junior ROTC color guard unit presented the flag for the national anthem.
Principal William Dodds and Assistant Principal Michael Hoyng presented the class for graduation. Highland Local Schools Superintendent Timothy Hilborn, along with the members of the board of education, conferred the diplomas.
