Charles B. Aycock's class of 2016 celebrates
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on June 10, 2016 1:46 PM
Full Size
Jim Crouch
Graduates from Charles B. Aycock celebrate with silly string after turning their tassels during commencement Thursday night.
The graduating class of Charles B. Aycock High School sat with pent-up energy, shaking cans of silly string as they waited for principal Earl Moore's signal to turn their tassels.
Moore told the seniors they made Aycock High School better, and he wished them success as they head into the world to pursue careers and other aspirations.
"Your life will forever change after today," Moore said during the Thursday evening ceremony on the Golden Falcon football field. "I have educated, matured, disciplined and loved you. You have learned your lessons well, and now it is time for me to release you from the Falcons nest.
"So now, seniors, with the assistance of your family, you have your wings, and I say -- fly, Falcons, fly."
Seniors jumped from their seats, cheered and shot silly string into the air and bounced a beach ball back and forth.
The excitement followed what was a mostly quiet and well-organized event, which the principal said reflected one of the best behaved graduating classes at Aycock.
The Class of 2016 was surrounded by family and friends who filled the bleachers and lined the fence around the Hardy Talton athletic field.
Valedictorian Caroline Taylor and Salutatorian Cameron Cook were presented with awards for their academic achievements.
Cook told the class they are family, based on the school's motto. She also asked the seniors to always remember each other and those who were there for their "accomplishments, milestones and trials."
"As we all go our different directions in life, we should always remember how we got to where we are and what inspired us to get there," Cook said. "It is our time to be the role models that our parents, teachers and coaches have been.
"Remember, this is the beginning of anything you want."
Taylor shared memories from her years at Aycock as well as the years many students spent together at area middle and elementary schools. The past several years were filled with tough times, difficult assignments and late nights studying for tests or writing papers, she said.
"Aycock is the foundation upon which we will build the rest of our lives," Taylor said. "As we go forward to write the next chapter in our lives, I encourage you to take with you the many powerful lessons learned at Aycock.
"Go climb your tallest mountain knowing there will be peaks and valleys along the way. Chase your dreams and accomplish your goals, but always remember where you came from, and always be humble and kind."
The 55th commencement ceremony included the presentation of high school diplomas to 287 students, making Aycock the largest 2016 graduating class in the Wayne County public school system.
Alexus Whitfield, a rising East Carolina University freshman, said graduation day was a long time coming. The night brought mixed emotions, as she knows she'll miss friends when she heads off to Greenville to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing.
"It's been a long road," Whitfield said of her four years at Aycock. "I've been waiting, and it hasn't been easy, either."
Whitfield is a North Carolina scholar, honor graduate, member of the National Honor Society and one of 10 seniors from the school's nursing fundamentals program.
"I'm sad and happy," she said. "(It's) exciting, emotional, terrific and every word I can think of that means happiness.
"I'm sad just a little bit, leaving Aycock behind and leaving my friends behind because not everybody is leaving."
Tyrique Ford couldn't believe graduation day finally arrived. He still remembers his years as a freshman at Aycock.
"I don't feel like it's time yet," Ford said. "The only part I'm not ready for is to say goodbye to everybody. I'm just kind of anxious to see what the real world feels like.
"I'll see when I get to college if I'll miss high school or not. I know I'll miss my classmates."
Ford will attend St. Andrews University where he'll play football and study engineering. His goal is to attend N.C. State University in two years under a football scholarship.
"That's the plan," he said.