Wednesday, June 9, 2021
The Cherryville Eagle
Page 3
GASTON COUNTY’S 6 DAY FORECAST THU JUNE 10
FRI JUNE 11
SAT JUNE 12
SUN JUNE 13
MON JUNE 14
TUES JUNE 15
86 68
86 68
87 65
82 62
85 64
85 63
Isolated Thunderstorms
Scattered Thunderstorms
Isolated Thunderstorms
Isolated Thunderstorms
Partly Cloudy
Isolated Thunderstorms
Cherryville’s Rudisill Stadium hasn’t seen a crowd like this since the coronavirus pandemic began. Many smiling and tearful faces could be spotted as folks were happy to be attending a live graduation again and were just glad to be back out in the public among family and friends. (photos by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)
The CHS graduating Class of 2021, all eagerly awaiting for things to get started at the Friday, May 28, graduation ceremony.
2021 CHS graduation ceremony guest speaker Chris Harris, a CHS Class of 2004 grad, addresses the class and their families at the May 28, ceremony, held outside at CHS’ Rudisill Stadium.
CHS Principal Mr. Kevin Doran leads the line of diploma presenters and platform speakers to the stage for the Friday, May 28, 2021 CHS graduation at Rudisill Stadium.
GRADUATES From Page 1 Assistant Principal Connie Greene; Gaston County Board of Education representative for Cherryville, Beverly Lovelace; Gaston County Schools’ Dr. Melissa Balknight; guest speaker Chris Harris (CHS Class of 2004); and 2021 CHS Senior Class President, Ford Golden. Chief Marshal Jackson Owens led the graduates in the singing of the CHS Alma Mater. Leading the class in the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem was Ben Hayes, and Lindsey Lingerfelt introduced the platform guests. Ms. Jada Warnock introduced the Valedictorian and the Salutatorian when it came their time to address the class. Principal Doran noted the Class of 2021 had brought in $2.5 million in scholarships, then he addressed the
group, saying, “You are an outstanding group. You have represented our school well. You have excelled in the classroom and outside of it. I am proud to call you graduates of Cherryville High School.” He continued, “Work hard and make a difference in the world, and remember, you are Ironmen!” Mrs. Lovelace, herself a former CHS teacher, said to the graduates their life was like a book they were writing every day, adding that this stage of it was their ‘part two’. “So, on behalf of the Board of Education,” she said, “Remember, part two of your life’s journey starts tonight. Make friends, not enemies. Remember your fondest memories. I pray that part two of your book will be a gift. Go with God! All things are possible. May your part two be a best seller!” Salutatorian Noah Abernethy spoke next, saying, “I would like to you for these
last four years.” Noah recounted, sometimes humorously, that middle school was a “turning point” for him in that the “loss of recess” was a pivotal moment in his life, and adding he is thankful he is “…no longer shorter than the girls.” The graduation, he noted, was their “final chapter” at CHS. Abernethy said was “excited” about his classmates’ futures, adding, “I want to thank the faculty (at CHS), my family, and my Lord and Savior!” Valedictorian Chase McNeill spoke next, noting, “We come to celebrate our past, present, and future; the closing of one chapter and the opening of another. We are starting our adult lives, and the future is bright. We cannot let our fear of failure stop us.” Quoting President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous line, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” McNeill continued, “Standing up for what we believe in is better
than falling. This future is ours to make. Life is not a 100-meter dash, rather it is a marathon. I hope we will make all our dreams come true. This class is ready for the future.” Guest speaker and member of the CHS Class of 2004, Chris Harris was introduced by Adelyn Seate. He then took the podium, greeting the graduates, then looking out at them, and to their families, he said, “Thank you. It is an honor to be here. You made it! Your family is ready for you to take the next step.” Harris told the graduates that as they move ahead, their value system has to change in order to make it in the world, adding that if they want “… to get comfortable, then (they have to) get uncomfortable.” The process for that is, as he noted, to take risks in order to make progress; to stretch themselves until “it hurts”, because it is time for them to grow; and lastly to always “…keep getting better!” Harris added, “I am always changing and growing. Don’t be afraid to upgrade yourself; keep building your-
self. Make your days count! As I said, get comfortable being uncomfortable!” After the diplomas were given out and the Class of 2021 returned to their seats, Mr. Doran instructed them to move their tassels signifying they were now graduated from Cherryville High School. He then presented them to their families and all assembled, at which time the cheers erupted and 120 blue mortarboards sailed high into the May sunny blue sky. Class officers for the 2021 graduating class were: Ford Golden (President); Allie Kay Homesley (Vise President); Lizzie Brannan (Secretary); Maggie Beam (Treasurer); and Ty Heavner (Historian). Summa Cum Laude grads (GPA: 4.3 and above) were: Noah Abernethy, Maggie Beam, Ashlyn Beattie, Destany Fritzler, Ford Golden, Andrey Goretoy, Christian Hahn, Ben Hayes, Allie Kay Homesley, Elizabeth Levine, Lindsey Lingerfelt, Dawson Long, Chase McNeill, Abigail Schultz, Adelyn Seate, Makenzie Thomas, Isabella Wilson, and Wyatt Wilson.
Magna Cum Laude grads (GPA: 4.0-4.299) were: Savannah Berry, Brady Buchanan, Nancy Guedj, Ty Heavner, Reese Hoyle, Riley Huffman, Ben Huffstetler, Vanessa LeMoine, Ashley Reep, Seth Russell, Megan Smith, and Brandon Williams. Cum Laude grads (GPA: 3.7-3.99) were: Faith Anthony, Elizabeth Brannan, Valerie Bredin, Alexis Francis, Julian Guaderrama-Hernandez, Alexandria Hefner, Savannah Locklear, Lauren McIntyre, Olivia Mosteller, Ryan Riffle, Christian Saunders, and Xerek Shipley. The 2021 CHS Junior Marshals were: Jackson Owens (Chief Marshal, who also helped with handing the diplomas to the presenters), Sydney Grace Abernethy, Kadin Beaver, Rylee-Grace Burgis, Gavin Cease, Addie Eaker, Katie Eaker, Jackson Fowler, Ashlyn Parnell, Katie Ramsey, Skye Reed, and Carter Spangler.