Southern Wayne holds 50th graduation
By Steve Herring
Published in News on June 10, 2016 1:46 PM
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Teacher Denise Cashwell, left, helps Alejandra Ramirez with her graduation gown and honor cords prior to Southern Wayne High School's Thursday night graduation ceremony.
MOUNT OLIVE -- The Southern Wayne High School Class of 2016 holds a special distinction in school history -- it is the 50th to graduate from the Dudley school.
Thursday night in a packed Kornegay Arena on the University of Mount Olive campus diplomas were awarded to 262 seniors.
In conjunction with the occasion, the school switched the color of its cap and gown this year, from dark blue to red.
But even that wasn't enough red for Tiara Jackson of Dudley, who also dyed her hair bright red.
"I love red," she said.
Miss Jackson said she had been a little nervous walking across the stage in heels.
"I didn't want to fall," she said.
Up next were dinner and partying, she said.
Just dinner, one of her relatives said.
Miss Jackson's summer plans include a trip to Disney World and then on to community college. She said she has not decided on a major.
The graduates clapped, cheered and yelled as Principal Dr. John Boldt had parents, grandparents, guardians and other family members of the seniors to stand.
Those are the people who were instrumental in assuring that the seniors had all they need to achieve "this milestone," Boldt said.
Macy Weeks, senior class vice president, led the tassel-turning ceremony.
"Now students, for the moment you have been waiting for," Boldt said to even more cheers as he proclaimed the students as graduates of the Class of 2016.
In her comments salutatorian Aubrey Sasser joked that she was proud of the title even if it had come with another paper to write at the end of her senior year.
"As freshmen we were all so scared of a new school, new people, hard classes, or in my case, scared of what your brother would do to anyone who tried to mess with you," she said. "Soon we will be out in the real world, the bottom of the totem pole once again, but I know we will be OK because we are Saints."
Memories made and lessons learned at Southern Wayne High School will stay with the classmates forever, she said.
The class holds a special place in the school's history, she said.
"No it is not because of our legendary senior prank, but because we are the 50th graduating class," she said. "Because of this we have received a lot of cool stuff, like these new red caps and gowns and really pretty yearbooks. However, none of this could have been possible without the amazing staff and parents.
"Every teacher and administrator at Southern Wayne is great, and I know they have prepared us for bigger and better things after graduation. Everyone out there is destined for greatness."
Miss Sasser said that looking out at her classmates she saw future doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, pharmacists, professional athletes and so much more.
"Everyone will drift apart and in a way that may be good because Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, 'Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail,'" Miss Sasser said. "We are individuals that need to make our own way, but no matter where we go, we need to remember that we will always be Southern Wayne's Class of 2016."
Miss Sasser will attend N.C. State University, where she will major in biology and minor in Spanish.
"It is unbelievable that the day we have been waiting and counting down is finally here," valedictorian Allison Barrow said. "It seems it was just yesterday when we entered Southern Wayne as children. We are now saying goodbye as goal-oriented and driven adults. It was in May of 1966 that the first graduates of Southern Wayne crossed the stage, received their diplomas and turned their tassels.
"Fifty years later here we are in moments preparing to do the same. As the 50th graduating class, we have reminded our school of its successful and meaningful past and given it faith for its future."
Miss Barrow told her classmates their high school experience has been shaped by four memorable years.
"However, I am not here to tell you that your past defines you," she said. "Instead, I am standing before you to let you know that your past prepares you and sets you up for a prosperous future.
"The people you have encountered, the events you have endured, and the education and lessons you have gained through Southern Wayne High School are your foundation to attain all that you dream to."
As the school 50th class, its members will never be forgotten and the classes to come will have incredibly large shoes to fill, she said.
"My hope for you is that, no matter what you embark on once you leave this place, you will always look back on you time at Southern Wayne with a smile and always carry your Saints pride with you," Miss Barrow said. "Never forget your time at this school while you were part of a monumental and golden class."
Miss Barrow plans to attend Meredith College and study business and accounting.
"We, the 50th graduating class of Southern Wayne High School, have walked across the stage, received our diplomas, and turned our tassels," Student Government President Carter Jones said in his closing remarks. "Now it is time to move forward to what lies ahead. As we look back on high school we will always share the memories and friendships that we have made in the past four years.
"As we all go in very different directions and pursue so many different goals let's never forget where we came from. Let's never forget the people who helped make us into the graduates we are today."
Carter urged his classmates to use the past four years as a foundation for their lives.