Students graduate from Hannah-Pamplico High

By Nancy Marlowe
Correspondent

Commencement exercises for Hannah-Pamplico High School took place on Thursday, June 5. This year there were eighty-one graduates in all.

The 2008 Marshals for this special event were Barbara Shanise Brayboy, Julia Lindsey Bruce, Natonia Dantrell Kelly, Daniel Chase Miller, Justin Horace Mims, Kristian Elizabeth Pickrel (Chief Marshal), Jillian Elizabeth Poston, Lee Anna Poston, Archie Andrew Sims, Taylor Elizabeth Sims, Kourtney Michellea Thomas, and David Ethan Vaughan.

Many showed their support for the Class of 2008 by coming to this years celebration and filling the Raider gym to standing room only. After the procession of this years’ graduates, Summer Malena Godwin, led the invocation. Summer graduated with honors and received the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship. “I thank God for all that He has helped us to accomplish over our time here at Hannah-Pamplico, and I thank Him for what He will do for us in the future,” Summer said. After the prayer, the HPH Chorus performed “Seize The Moment” with Laquana Woodberry and Alexander Timmons as soloist.

Honor graduate, Jordan Marie Ward, followed by speeches from Salutatorian, Zachary Christopher Bennett, and Valedictorian, Colon David Cagle, then gave the welcome. “Nothing comes easy,” said Zachary Bennett. “With self-confidence, perseverance, and hard work, we can overcome the challenges that come our way. We thank our families and teachers and others that have helped us through the years.” Zachary also received the Pamplico Lions Club Scholarship from USC.

Scholarship, and the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship. “We anxiously anticipate the end of our graduation ceremony where we will finally be high school graduates. When I look out, I see the faces of our future leaders. We are prepared to handle what life throws our way because of the people here today. We thank our parents and our teachers for teaching us to make the most of life’s opportunities. We can be the generation that changes things for the better by being part of the solution and not part of the problem,” Cole Cagle said.

Cole received the Ertelle W. Coleman Scholarship, the American History Scholarship, the Pamplico Lions Club Scholarship, the USC Dean’s Scholarship, and the Palmetto Fellows Award. Superintendent Dr. Steve Quick presented Zachary Bennett with the Salutatorian Award and Board Chairman Thadis Calcutt Jr. presented the Valedictorian Award to Cole Cagle.

The Mill Branch AME Church Educational Scholarship was awarded to Mignon Latrese Cooper, Alexander Emilio Timmons, Cameron Stephen Becote and Harry Dorrell McNeil both Becote and McNeil also received the OES Pamplico Good Will Chapter 107 Scholarship along with Kentrell Verness Burgess. Justin Sean Brown received the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Beautillion Scholarship and the Johnson and Wales University Scholarship. Heather Nicole Eaddy received FCAEOP Scholarship. Deondria Seree Ellison was awarded the W.W. and Martha Coleman Scholar/Athlete Scholarship. The Nicki Ard Memorial Scholarship went to Ashley Marie Jones. David Earl Jones received the Rev. Bruce A. Hall Scholarship. Both Ashley and David also received the South Carolina LIFE Scholar- ship. Amanda Shea Lyon was awarded the NADC Select Scholarship and Terrel LaShawn Walker received the Benedict College Academic Excellence Scholarship. Seven students received the South Carolina HOPE Scholarship and 20 students received the South Carolina LIFE Scholarship. Mr. H.M. Dixon, Dr. Steve Quick, Mr. Thadis Calcutt Jr., and Mr. N. Charles Hyman assisted in the presentation of the diplomas to the Class of 2008 and Mr. Hyman also presented Joseph Roy Day with his diploma for completing his 24 units in the districts adult education class. Tears were freely flowing from the eyes of proud parents as they watched their child achieve a long strived for goal.

The HPH Chorus followed with the song “For Good” with a solo by Kailon Saverance.

When the time came for the turning of the tassel, caps flew and cheers filled the gym as the Class of 2008 celebrated the end of one journey and the beginning of another.