Private schools get ready for graduations
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 17, 2014 10:37 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Wayne County private school valedictorians and salutatorians are seen in the county courthouse. From left: Faith Christian Academy co-salutatorians Timothy Williams and Brianna Williams and valedictorian Kayla Davis; Wayne Christian Academy valedictorian Eric Barrow and salutatorian Connor Jones; Wayne Country Day School valedictorian Karis Hawkins and co-salutatorians Katy Fletcher and Meredith Roethling.
The first round of high school graduation begin later this week, for three private schools and the two newest public schools.
Wayne Early/Middle College High School will kick off commencement season Thursday at 6 p.m. at The Bridge Church in Princeton.
The school has 61 graduates this year -- 46 of them are fourth-year seniors, 15 are fifth-year "super seniors," extending their high school experience and obtaining additional college credit, and 14 will be involved in a bridging ceremony during graduation in anticipation of their upcoming fifth year in the fall.
Of the candidates, 37 also received associate degrees from Wayne Community College, where the school is housed. Seven of those received both Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees.
The school traditionally has no valedictorian or salutatorian, but will feature several students on the program. These include Aundrea Dunn, who will be singing, and speakers Philip Cecil, Brandi Doubt, Andre Elliott, Marquail Nettles, Michaela DeGuzman, Casey Shearin and Brandon Yelverton.
Wayne Country Day School will also hold its ceremony Thursday at 6 p.m., in the school gymnasium. Twenty-seven students comprise the Class of 2014.
Karis Hawkins is valedictorian and three students tied for the honor of salutatorian -- Katy Fletcher, Maryanna Mitchell and Meredith Roethling.
Miss Hawkins will be enrolled in the business school at Georgetown University. Miss Fletcher plans to attend Meredith College and study nutrition. Miss Mitchell will attend Davidson College and has not declared a major. Miss Roethling will be going to UNC-Chapel Hill and majoring in exercise and sports science.
Sarah Perlungher, upper school language chair, will deliver the faculty address. The Carolina Brass will play at the ceremony, and Todd Anderson, headmaster, will present the excellence in teaching awards.
Two ceremonies are scheduled for Friday evening.
Wayne School of Engineering, housed at Goldsboro High School, will hold graduation at 6 p.m. in the school auditorium.
Similar to WEMCH, it has no valedictorian or salutatorian, and students can pursue college credit, with the option of extending high school one year.
This year there are 69 graduates, 60 completing their fourth year and nine in the fifth year, with 17 continuing on next year for their fifth year. In the graduating class, seven also earned associate degrees.
Student speakers at the ceremony will be Destiny Dawson, Meagan Hines, Caroline Jones and Joclyen Wooten.
The Faith Christian Academy graduation starts at 7 p.m. at Faith Free Will Baptist Church, with 18 students receiving diplomas.
Pastor Dann Patrick will deliver his last commencement address at the school. The pastor at Faith Free Will Baptist Church for the past 33 years is retiring in June.
Valedictorian is Kayla Davis, who will attend Southeastern FWB. She is undecided about her major.
Co-salutatorians are Brianna Williams, pursuing studies in cardiovascular sonography at Johnston Community College, and Timothy Williams, who will be studying engineering at Wayne Community College.
Wayne Christian School will hold its ceremony on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the school gym, with 14 graduates this year. Pastor Jonathan Smith of Freedom Baptist Church will deliver the challenge to the graduates and special music will be brought by senior Victoria Combs.
Eric Barrow, valedictorian, plans to attend N.C. State University and study engineering. Salutatorian Connor Jones will be attending Appalachian State University and studying geographcal information systems.