Tassel turners
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 20, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Private school valedictorians and salutatorians for the Class of 2015 include, front row from left, Faith Christian Academy valedictorian Alyssa Culbreth and salutatorian Ryan Collier; middle row, Wayne Christian School valedictorian Trey Hinton and co-salutatorians Abigail Easom and Nicholas Easom; and back row, Wayne Country Day School valedictorian Natalie Brown and co-salutatorians Taylor Willman, Mary Crawford Tanner and Margaret Tanner.
The first round of high school graduations are upon us, as five private and alternate schools kick off the season with ceremonies starting this week.
Commencements start Thursday evening with two ceremonies planned.
Wayne Country Day School will graduate 19 students during a 6 p.m. ceremony in the school gymnasium.
Natalie Brown is the class valedictorian. She plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill in the fall and study political science.
There are three co-salutatorians this year, separated only by 1/600th of a point between them, school officials said. Taylor Willman and sisters Mary Crawford Tanner and Margaret Tanner share those duties.
Miss Willman will attend the University of Tennessee, while Mary Crawford will be at UNC-Chapel Hill. Both indicated they will study biology. Margaret Tanner will pursue her studies at Auburn University, enrolling in the pre-veterinary program.
The twins' mother, Leigh Tanner, chairman of the science department, was chosen to deliver the faculty address.
Also that evening at 6 p.m., Wayne Early/Middle College High School will graduate 64 students at The Bridge Church in Princeton.
Student speakers include Arlin Castellanos, Maria Mandujano and Bryce Mitchell.
Ceremonies at Wayne School of Engineering will be held at 6 p.m. Friday evening in the Goldsboro High School auditorium, with 77 candidates for diplomas.
Student speakers will be Zach Darden, Shatonya Johnson, Cindy Kate and Cameron Saunders.
Graduation at Wayne Christian School will take place Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in the school gymnasium, with 21 diplomas conferred.
Dr. Ashley Shook, who is completing his first year as administrator, will speak.
Valedictorian is Trey Hinton, who plans to attend Liberty University and pursue his studies in public administration.
Co-salutatorians Abigail Easom and her cousin, Nicholas Easom, will also be attending Liberty, which is in Virginia. Abigail will major in elementary education, while Nick said he will study pastoral leadership.
The Faith Christian Academy ceremony is scheduled for next week, on Friday evening, May 29, at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium.
Pastor of Faith Free Will Baptist Church, Christian Powell, will deliver the address to the 14-member graduating class.
Valedictorian is Alyssa Culbreth, who intends to study biology at Wayne Community College and then transfer to East Carolina University.
Salutatorian Ryan Collier plans to study mechanical engineering at Pensacola Christian College in Florida.