CMYK Outside
CLASS OF 2012 a special supplement to
Fort Dale l Georgiana l Greenville l McKenzie
CMYK Inside
PAGE 2
CLASS OF 2012
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
FORT DALE ACADEMY Andrew Adams
Wyatt Anderson
Taylor Autrey
Justin Barnes
Alex Bloodworth
Shelley Brannon
Matthew Butts
Adrianne Callen
Abby Castleberry
Hannah Dillard
Ethan Edgar
Trav Foster
Morgan Gibson
Ethan Gregory
Hunter Hamm
Joshua Hamm
Brady Harmon
Angelena Harris
Kennedy Harris
Matt Langford
Barrett Leverette
Lauren Lewis
Mitchell Lewis
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
CLASS OF 2012
PAGE 3
Caleb Luckie
Forrest Luker
Brandon Matthews
Skylar McKeown
David Miller
Tyler Millo
Elizabeth Anne Nordgren
Cam Norman
Steven Powell
Kyle Rossi
Charlie Schofield
Perry Singleton
Cameron Sloane
Zane Spier
Mason Stinson
Cody Tesmer
Patton Thompson
Alex Vickery
Jesse Wayne Arnold
Allison Bentley
GEORGIANA SCHOOL
Connally Walters
McCall Watson
Keon Binion
Derrick Blackburn
Sarretta Bogan
Alexis Boyd
LeeAnne Whigham
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CLASS OF 2012
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
Trey Brockman
Andrea Burt
Meagan Campbell
Rodney Cheatham
Lee Curry
Trevor Davis
Symone Davison
Rickey Everett Jr.
Marquise Feagin
Olanda Franks
Tyron Carnell Gore
Mikal Grace
Kaleb Hamrac
Janessa Hawkins
LaDonna Hudgins
Shanika Johnson
Ashley Lawson
Courteneye Lawson
Carmen Matthews
Amanda McClain
Kenyetta Mitchell
Kerrie Mitchell
Sharday Mobley
Adrian Rich
GREENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Bradley Shows
Michael Smith
Xavier Smith
Ashley Stamps
Eric Watson
Whitney Adams
Marquita Allen
Adrienne Bedgood
Chavez Bedgood
Cody Boggan
EST. 1936
Kendra Brown
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
CLASS OF 2012
PAGE 5
Lashondia Burnett
Troy Bush
Robert Butler
Rodrick Carter
Denver Cartwright
Nicholas Cartwright
Grace Cason
Marquiste Coleman
Demarcus Collis
Jasmine Cook
Jerome Cook
Kadeshia Cook
Tyler Cook
Breanna Cooks
Joel Crenshaw
Nick Crenshaw
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CLASS OF 2012
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
Tykelia Crenshaw
Gabrielle Crum
Dnasia Davis
La’Frederick Davison
Elizabeth Dicks
William Dollard
Dexter Durant
James Elmore
Tiffany Faulkner
Desmond Feagin
Charleetha Fields
Diamond Flowers
Derrick Frost
Jameka Gipson
Tywaun Graham
Khadijah Gray
Cory Grayson
Fernandez Grey
Myesha Hale
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CLASS OF 2012
PAGE 7
Aerianna Hamilton
Jamall Hamilton
Kasey Harrell
Markell Harris
Paul Hartley
Justin Harvill
Harper Lea Heartsill
Larry Heartsill
Ethan Hillard
Deneshia Howard
Jadia Howard
Latavia Hunter
Caitlin Hutchens
Niaya Johnson
Baaron Jones
Brittany Jones
Jeffery Jones
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Shondale Lawson
Justin Lee
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PAGE 8
CLASS OF 2012
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
Eboney Lewis
Portia Lewis
Shanythia Lewis
Xuelian Li
Marisha Lymon
Khristian Mallory
Edna Martinez
Cody Mauch
Te’Lesha McDonald
Robert McHenry
Khadijah McMeans
Kendra McNaughton
Jamichael Means
Taneisha Merriweather
Aygul Mingaleyeva
Jasmine Morris
Zachary Mullins
Lewis Myrick
Ashley Newton
Linsey Niehaus
Jason Norrell
Diedra Noye
Terrace Owens
Quintaysha Payne
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
CLASS OF 2012
Samantha Peavy
Kendra Perdue
Libby Peterson
Christopher Phillips
Kevin Phillips
Barry Powell
Brian Powell
Curtis Powell
Senia Powell
Dexter Pressley
Jerome Raybon
De’Vonte Riley
Cavantae Roberts
Carlyshia Robinson
Kendall Robinson
Ti’Nisha Sanner
Amanda Savage
Deandre Savage
Sharlissa Scarver
Mallory Schofield
Jason Scofield
Lora Scott
Lauren Seale
Latasha Simms
PAGE 9
PAGE 10
CLASS OF 2012
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
Monica Simpson
Zylandria Sims
Jaziman Smith
Martez Smith
Jackee Soles
Hieke Steele
Ja’lissa Steele
Taylor Stinson
Jasmine Stewart
Nick Stuckey
Jia Wel Sun
Victoria Swan
Brett Taylor
Ashley Tetter
William Thagard
Lakeshia Thomas
Preston Thomas
Carolette Thompson
Caleb Thrower
Rayne Tinsley
Chasity Turner
Jamarcus Tyson
Victoria Walker
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
CLASS OF 2012
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Demontray Warren
Tamara Warren
Ashley Wasden
DeSean Washington
Traylen Waters
Chester White
Airionia Wilkerson
Tedric Williams
Atenico Williamson
Trevor Womack
Ebony Woods
Kelsey Wooten
Amberlee Ainsworth
Nicole Armstrong
Tyler Baker
Rakeem Ball
Justin Beverly
Kayla Bush
Olivia Bush
Charissa Cobb
Nicole Davis
Ethan Faust
Tadarius Gill
Gabrielle Gomillion
Adorian Maye
Robert McDonald
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CMYK Outside
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CLASS OF 2012
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CMYK Outside
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
CLASS OF 2012
PAGE 13
FORT DALE ACADEMY
FDA grads take ‘very last step’ By ANDY BROWN The Greenville Advocate
ADVOCATE STAFF/ANDY BROWN
Matt Langford flashes a peace sign as he makes his way into Southside Baptist Church for Fort Dale’s graduation ceremony.
Fort Dale Academy’s Class of 2012 took its final step toward becoming graduates on Friday night. “This is the very last step we must take to complete these years at Fort Dale Academy,” salutatorian Hunter Hamm said. “We’ve reached a major threshold in our lives, and for this we should be grateful to our parents, family, teachers and the school’s staff.” Both Hamm and valedictorian Justin Barnes encouraged the Class of 2012 to turn their attention to the journey that is stretching out before them. “Twelve long years of trials, triumphs and test taking have led us to this point,” Barnes said. “But we should not dwell on the past, but should instead look to the unfolding future. Tonight we do not cross a finish line, but instead start the race in earnest.” Hamm said Fort Dale has taught the Class of 2012 to be “independent and self-sufficient.” “We have emerged from these years not as chaffe being blown by the wind, but as trees planted firmly by streams of water that will produce fruit for many years.” Just before the Class of 2012 received its diplomas and turned its tassels, Barnes left his fellow graduates with these words. “We leave here tonight not as a group of students, but as young adults on the road to success.”
ADVOCATE STAFF/ANDY BROWN
FDA valedictorian Justin Barnes addresses the Class of 2012. ADVOCATE STAFF/ANDY BROWN
Barnes challenges graduates to look toward the future
From left to right, Justin Barnes, Taylor Autrey and Abby Castleberry turn their tassels after being proclaimed FDA graduates.
By PATTY VAUGHAN The Greenville Advocate After entering the doors of Fort Dale Academy as a second-semester sophomore, Justin Barnes knew he had a lot of work ahead of him to reach his goal. In two years, Barnes was able to achieve the status of valedictorian of his 2012 graduating class thanks to hard work and determination to succeed. “I’ve always tried to do well academically, because I knew it would help me,” Barnes said. “The spot of a valediction is an added happy occurrence. I have strived to try my best academically.” Being involved with activities like Math Olympiad, the Scholarship Bowl and technology teams, Barnes was able to apply what he learned in the classroom in a competition setting, while learning how to work with others. Salutatorian Hunter Hamm knows a thing or two about working with others as well. Being involved in such groups as the Key Club, and the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Pages, while serving as president of the National Honor Society are just a few of the activities Hamm was involved in. “It definitely helped develop a work ethic that I hope will be with me for the oncoming years of college,” Hamm said. “It helped me develop a sense of pride.” Never having a set goal of earning the title of salutatorian, Hamm has always just tried to do the best he can at everything. “I just try to do the best at everything I can,” Hamm said. “And that’s brought me to where I am.” Barnes plans on attending Auburn University in the fall to study electrical engineering with a computing option. “I just have an interest in machines and computers and the stuff they use to make things,” Barnes said. Hamm plans to attend Samford University to study history. For his final words to his classmates, Barnes wanted to avoid the clichés, instead focusing on the start of a new beginning. “Most speeches look toward the past and use clichés, but only knowing them the three years, the past is something I can’t talk much on,” Barnes said. “I just thought they would like to know in the future that they’re not alone in doing this and that’s it not the end of high school, but it’s the beginning of another chapter.”
ADVOCATE STAFF/ANDY BROWN
Top, the Class of 2012 celebrates by tossing their graduation caps into the air. Aove left, Mason Stinson smiles as he enters Southside Baptist Church prior to the start of the ceremony. Above right, Hunter Hamm delivers his salutatory address.
CMYK Inside
PAGE 14
CLASS OF 2012
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
GEORGIANA SCHOOL
Grads ‘determine own futures’ By PATTY VAUGHAN The Greenville Advocate Words of encouragement echoed through the crowd Thursday night in Georgiana as valedictorian Andrea Burt struggled for a brief moment in her speech. “Tonight we gather as one graduated class, one school and one community to celebrate one turn,” Burt said. “When choosing with how I was going to begin my speech, I kept coming back to one main point accountability. Who will be held accountable for our own futures and the decisions that we make?” Burt’s aunt suffered six strokes in her lifetime, which taught her how to make selfless decisions. Burt wanted to share that lesson with the rest of her 2012 graduating class. “Because of all of this, (my aunt) could have been easily mad at the world and completely shut down to the people around her,” Burt said. “However, she served a purpose and was a selfless woman. She never blamed
anyone else for her position. In a way, I owe everything to her.” Salutatorian Meagan Campbell wanted to make sure her class remembered how the past six years at Georgiana transformed them into who they will become. “Over the past six years, we have grown together as a class and have enjoyed every minute,” Campbell said. “One thing I have gotten to learn over these past six years is that we determine our own futures. If you choose to, you can make every day your best.” Each student accepted a diploma and individually each student turned the tassel from right to left before celebrating by throwing graduation caps into the air. “We stand together for the last time looking forward to a better future,” Campebell said. “Starting tomorrow, we will begin our new lives as high school graduates. Tonight is our night. Tonight, we celebrate all that we have accomplished over the past years with our friends and family.”
ADVOCATE STAFF/PATTY VAUGHAN
Georgiana School valedictorian Andrea Burt delivers he speech to the Class of 2012.
Best friends rise to top of Georgiana’s graduating class By PATTY VAUGHAN The Greenville Advocate Valedictorian Andrea Burt would have never dreamed of sitting beside her best friend at her high school graduation. Both Burt and salutatorian Meagan Campbell were in the band together for seven years at Georgiana School and have both worked to earn spots at the top of their graduating class. “The way that my family is built, we’re very family oriented,” Burt said. “My mom is in education, and my mom has always pushed me. I have been shooting for valedictorian since I was old enough to know what it was.” Also having a strong family base supporting her, Campbell has always worked extremely hard. “I have always had to be in the top of my class and work hard and get straight A’s,” Campbell said. “My parents always wanted me to do well and succeed at everything.” For Campbell, high school was more than just seven periods and the lunches in the cafeteria. “My high school experience was life changing, and it helped to get me where to I am today,” Campbell said. “I learned a lot of things from my teachers and parents and I was involved in every club.” Also making the most out of her high school years, Burt said she was actively involved with her church. “Being involved with my church youth group and volunteering with them has been another thing that has built my character,” Burt said. With nursing as her passion, Burt plans to attend the University of Alabama in Birmingham to study. “I think it goes back to the fact that I love to help people,” Burt said. “My grandma was in the nursing home and I learned that caring for people even when they’re in bad shape, is a wonderful experience. It’s something that I wanted my whole life.” Campbell plans to attend Troy University in the fall to study political science. “I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer since I was little,” Campbell said. “I guess it was watching all the law shows on TV. It’s just something I was interested and I really like it, and I want to be able to help people.” Becoming accountable for one’s actions are the last words Burt said she wanted to leave with her classmates. “I know that in my speech I talked about being held accountable for their own decisions, because it’s import for them to realize that there is a real world and lots of tough decisions that they have to make,” Burt said. “They need to realize this is their time and that they will either sink or swim.”
ADVOCATE STAFF/PATTY VAUGHAN
Georgiana School salutatorian Meagan Campbell addresses the Class of 2012 during Thursday night’s ceremony.
ADVOCATE STAFF/PATTY VAUGHAN
Top,Keon Binion and Andrea Burt lead the Class of 2012 in the singing of the school’s Alma mater. Above left, The Class of 2012 sings the Alma mater. Above right, Georgiana School principal Ward Thigpen welcomes graduates and guests to Thursday’s ceremony.
CMYK Inside
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
CLASS OF 2012
PAGE 15
GREENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
GHS grads share ‘strong bond’ By ANDY BROWN The Greenville Advocate
ADVOCATE STAFF/ANDY BROWN
Greenville High School’s Linsey Niehaus lets out a smile as the Class of 2012 enters Tiger Stadium for its graduation ceremony.
With the turn of a tassel, 145 Greenville High School seniors became Greenville High School alumni. Many of those graduates have been classmates since kindergarten. Now, they will head off in a hundred different directions, but class salutatorian Kendra McNaughton said the group will always share a “strong bond” no matter how many miles or how much time separates them. “No matter how long we are away from each other, whether it’s a couple of months or even years, these memories of high school will always make us smile,” she said. Valedictorian Ethan Hilliard challenged his fellow graduates to “dream big” and to not be afraid to fail. “We’ll all fall down, but the only thing that matters if how fast we get up,” he said. “Live your lives to the fullest and have no regrets, but never forget the difference in right and wrong.” He also encouraged the Class of 2012 to never forget Greenville High School. “Never forget where you are heading or where you came from,” he said. And with that, the Class of 2012 filed out of Tiger Stadium as GHS graduates.
ADVOCATE STAFF/ANDY BROWN
Greenville High School valedictorian Ethan Hilliard, left, and salutatorian Kendra McNaughton share a laugh before addressing the Class of 2012. ADVOCATE STAFF/ANDY BROWN
Greenville shapes McNaughton, Hilliard into leaders
From left to right, Senia Powell, Chastity Turner and Preston Thomas turn their tassels after being proclaimed GHS graduates.
By PATTY VAUGHAN The Greenville Advocate Four years at Greenville High School taught Ethan Hilliard how to be a leader. In his final days before becoming a Greenville High School graduate, Hilliard transformed into a new type of leader – the leader of his 2012 graduating class. Through the JROTC program at GHS, Hilliard learned how to not only apply himself but also find the qualities needed to push him to becoming the valedictorian. “ROTC was probably the thing that got me to do anything at all,” Hilliard said. “I learned how other people act, and I learned different leadership qualities and then found some of them in myself.” It was in the second grade that Hilliard attended his first graduation, and from that moment forward, he knew he wanted to be the valedictorian. “I said, ‘That’s what I’m going to do,’ Hilliard said. “And I did it.” Salutatorian Kendra McNaughton also discovered she had qualities that landed her at the top of her class. “I started out in band, and it really helped me become more active, because I was really shy,” McNaughton said. “I started doing more stuff with our school and our classmates.” With band and tennis guiding her to the top of her class, McNaughton also had her family pushing and supporting her the entire way. “My mom always pushed me to make the best grades I could,” McNaughton said. “Salutatorian was a shock, because I didn’t think I would make it there but I actually did.” McNaughton, who has already completed her freshman year of college through LBW Community College’s dual enrollment program, plans to continue her education at LBW in the fall and then transfer to Auburn University Montgomery. Hilliard also plans to attend Auburn University Montgomery to study business management and to one day take over the family business of H & H Guns and Ammo. McNaughton said she wanted to leave her classmates with words to live by. “I was proud to be a part of them,” McNaughton said. “To be able to grow and to become friends and not only with my classmates, but with my teachers as well. They meant a lot to me.”
ADVOCATE STAFF/ANDY BROWN
Top, The Class of 2012 celebrates following its graduation ceremony. Above left, Richard Crenshaw is presented his diploma by GHS principal Joseph Dean. Above right, Fernandez Grey makes his way to the front to receive his diploma.
CMYK Outside
PAGE 16
CLASS OF 2012
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
MCKENZIE SCHOOL
McKenzie grads ‘are the future’ By PATTY VAUGHAN The Greenville Advocate
ADVOCATE STAFF/PATTY VAUGHAN
McKenzie School principal Randy Williams hugs salutatorian Olivia Bush after presenting her with her diploma.
“Your best is good enough.” These were the words valedictorian Lydia Owens uttered to herself in the mirror while battling the pressure of following in her family’s footsteps of valedictorians and salutatorians. These are the same words she said on Friday night to McKenzie School’s 2012 graduating class. “We are leaving friends, family and great teachers who have all impacted our lives,” Owens said. “I am truly blessed to have all of you as my classmates. The memories we shared are invaluable.” Principal Randy Williams touched on those memories as he held his hand low to the ground reminiscing how tall the now graduates were when they started at McKenzie in kindergarten. “We have gone from young adolescents to young men and women,” salutatorian Olivia Bush said. “I can remember walking through the doors of McKenzie High School as we began our freshman year not even thinking of this day because then it seemed
so far away. Now, here we are.” Each graduate accepted a diploma and hug from Williams before accepting a yellow rose to conclude the ceremony. “Whether you grow up to be like Bill Gates or Bill Clinton, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., or Dr. Drake, you did your best,” Owens concluded. “Believe in yourself, acknowledge your greatness and have the courage to follow your heart. Like the saying goes, ‘all good things must come to an end.’ However, I am not sad because I know we have made lasting memories and friendships.” Bush urged her classmates to look to the future and to learn from the past. “Remain strong and stand up for what you believe in,” Bush said. “Stand up for your bright future, because we are the future. Remember, when we walk off this field tonight as a proud graduate with our diploma in our hands, we were here and we gave it our all. Classmates, we have been blessed, but the best years are yet to come.”
ADVOCATE STAFF/PATTY VAUGHAN
The Class of 2012 turns its tassels on Friday night after being proclaimed graduates of McKenzie School. ADVOCATE STAFF/PATTY VAUGHAN
Valedictorian Lydia Owens smiles during Friday’s graduation.
McKenzie School valedictorian continues tradition By PATTY VAUGHAN The Greenville Advocate Lydia Owens comes from a long line of valedictorians and salutatorians in her family. With a variety of goals to accomplish through her Mackenzie School experience, Owens knew becoming valediction was the top of her list. “My five siblings preceding me, between them we have a valedictorian, two salutatorians and an honor student and I was the last one,” Owens said. “I was determined (to be valedictorian) since my sister graduated as valedictorian back in 2002.” Salutatorian Olivia Bush used her experience in cheerleading, softball and various other organizations to guide her to where she is today. “I didn’t start (working toward salutatorian) until last year, because I really wanted it,” Bush said. “I didn’t think I was actually going to get it. I was shocked and excited when I found out.” McKenzie School basketball coach Ezell Powell taught Owens that lessons could be learned on and off the court. “We would have different team meetings on self respect and things like that,” Owens said. “Also, self control and attitude, because you could be the smartest person in the world but no one would want to deal with you because of your bad attitude.” Owens plans on attending Alabama State University in the fall to pursue a degree in chemistry. “This year, I took chemistry and I liked that challenge,” Owens said. “Science hadn’t been a challenge, but some parts of chemistry had to make me study and I liked it.” Bush will be attending Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton and plans to study nursing. Owens said she hopes to give her classmates words of encouragement and tell them there is more to life outside of the county lines. “Some situations you get into, you don’t think you’re going to make it through like being in a small county or small school like McKenzie,” Owens said. “You can branch out and you can go after your dreams and nothing says you have to be limited to Butler County or McKenzie. You can branch out and do whatever you put your mind to.”
ADVOCATE STAFF/PATTY VAUGHAN
Top, Principal Randy Williams shows how small Sir Wallace Presley was when he started school at McKenzie. Above left, Amberlee Ainsworth (left) and Adorian Maye (right) smile during Friday’s ceremony. Above right, Butler County Schools Assistant Superintendent Allin Whittle laughs at a joke during his introduction by principal Randy Williams.