Graduation: Rosewood High School
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on June 12, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Asa Beasley and Tyree Chavious celebrate by cheering and throwing their caps into the air after graduating from Rosewood High School Thursday night. More than 130 seniors, the largest graduating class in the history of the school, turned their tassels on the football field.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Anna Cooke smiles as her classmates sing "Happy Birthday" to her before commencement at Rosewood High School Thursday as she celebrates her 18th birthday. She will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
There was no mistaking the excitement of Jonathan Gould's family at his graduation ceremony Thursday night.
As the 131 seniors filed onto the football field at Rosewood High School, Jonathan Sr. proudly held up a large professionally made sign bearing his eldest child's likeness.
"It's a custom in Hawaii," he said of the tribute.
"They go all out," said his wife, Pohai Gould, describing those in her homeland who might show up for such an occasion with even larger signs, dripping in lights and other amenities.
The family had flown in from Hawaii for the occasion. It was a proud moment for the father of five.
"It's surreal," he said. "Not that long ago, he was a little kid."
Mylar balloons were also a popular sight at the event.
Kearah Rouse, Chelsea Wynn and Naheria Hamilton, all Eastern Wayne High students, had to navigate around the handfuls of helium they brought to the festivities.
Rising seniors, Chelsea was there to cheer on her boyfriend, Airic Murray, while Naheria said she was there to support her friend, Kyiam Hawkins.
Kearah one-upped her friends, also bearing gifts for her boyfriend, Dennis Mitchell Jr., who is heading to N.C. Wesleyan in the fall. Keeping with the theme of his having played basketball, she was carrying a basketball and "some Nike shirts" for him.
She, meanwhile, is anticipating her own graduation on Saturday. She said she plans to study biology at East Carolina University.
Carla Massengill, propped up on crutches following a recent surgery, turned out to support four students from the grades 7-12 Sunday school class she teaches at Rosewood First Baptist Church -- Garner Beasley, Amber Food, Bryce McKeel and Logan Merritt.
"I have taught them since they were in seventh grade," she said. "They're great kids, all four of them. Outstanding."
As the Eagles prepared to leave the nest, many admitted it was with some mixed emotions.
"I'm really excited. I'm really nervous, because I have been with these people since my sixth grade year," said Amanda Jacobsen, who heads to Campbell University in the fall to study pre-pharmacy. "It's really hard to leave them."
Elizabeth Robinson, who graduated from the school two years ago, was there to see her friend walk across the stage.
"I have watched her grow up," she said with a smile.
Christenna Miller has her summer plans all mapped out.
"I'm going to Florida and then Louisiana and then to the Outer Banks and then I'm going to finish what I started -- medical assisting at Wayne Community College," she said, explaining that she's "halfway through" the program begun during her senior year.
Kimberlee Liles will also be at WCC, but is undecided about which program she'll pursue.
"I'm glad that we're graduating but I don't feel like it's going to be any easier in life," Christenna said, musing about adulthood. "You've got to get a job, pay your own bills."
"I'm just ready to be out of her," Kimberlee said. "High school had its drama but I'm just ready to be done with it."
Counselor Greg Lamm couldn't help but reflect on the ambition of the Class of 2015.
"They got over $2.8 million in scholarships and I don't even think I included all of them," he said. "It's been a while since I've had a class get that much."
And the valedictorian, Sara Lewis, and salutatorian, Anna Cooke, also boasted the highest quality point average, he said he has ever seen.
"Together they got the equivalent of $200,000 in scholarships, and they could have had more but they got what they wanted," he said. For the first time in the school's history, it had a Park Scholar, with Miss Lewis being awarded a full ride to N.C. State. Miss Cooke, whose birthday fell on graduation day, will be going to UNC-Chapel Hill.
Anna paid tribute to her father, who passed away her sophomore year, and her hard-working mother "who could have packed everything up and returned to the Philippines" but stayed strong and, along with teachers and friends who became family, contributed to the person she is today.
"Remember where you came from and remember who got you there, because home may be a place but it can also be a person," she told her classmates.
Sara remembered a lot of "firsts" while reflecting on the significance of graduation's being the "ultimate last," the final hurrah for the Class of 2015.
"I am confident that we are prepared to take on whatever comes our way," she said. "We are spirited, intelligent, courageous and hardworking and our teachers and families have ensured that we are ready for the next chapter in our lives."