The Shadow
Adam Livesay, right, receives his diploma from Alleghany High School Principal Dwayne “Jap” Ross during AHS’ commencement exercises Saturday morning at the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Armory and Convocation Center. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
Adam Livesay, right, receives his diploma from Alleghany High School Principal Dwayne “Jap” Ross during AHS’ commencement exercises Saturday morning at the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Armory and Convocation Center. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
AHS EARLY COLLEGE SCHOLARS — Alleghany High School has announced its Early College Scholars for 2015. Students pursuing an Advanced Studies diploma who maintain a B average and earn at least 15 transferrable college credits are eligible to be early college scholars. Row one, from left: Casey Lofton, Emily Moyers, Carrigan Wright, Hayley Oliver, Alyson Turkewitz, Shannon Bennett, Sierra Watkins, Jordan Morgan. Row two: John Reed, Jonathan Ellis-Smith, Tyler Cline, Gaige Kern, Emma McCoig, Faith Arthur, Mikayla Morgan, Emily Oyler, Laurel Lewis. Row three: Chase Higgins, Jonathan Church, Derek Walton, Andrew Humphries, Trevor Hager, Gabby Norvell, Morganne Durham, Erin Osborne. Row four: Eric Spraker, Dustin Gibson, James McHenry, Logan Holley, Carson Cogar, Hillard Rooklin, Katie Rickett, Nicole Zierler, Courtney Gillespie. Not pictured: Brent Graham, Cameron Persinger. The 215 members of the Alleghany High School Class of 2015 received their diplomas during commencement exercises Saturday morning at the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Armory and Convocation Center. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
AHS EARLY COLLEGE SCHOLARS — Alleghany High School has announced its Early College Scholars for 2015. Students pursuing an Advanced Studies diploma who maintain a B average and earn at least 15 transferrable college credits are eligible to be early college scholars. Row one, from left: Casey Lofton, Emily Moyers, Carrigan Wright, Hayley Oliver, Alyson Turkewitz, Shannon Bennett, Sierra Watkins, Jordan Morgan. Row two: John Reed, Jonathan Ellis-Smith, Tyler Cline, Gaige Kern, Emma McCoig, Faith Arthur, Mikayla Morgan, Emily Oyler, Laurel Lewis. Row three: Chase Higgins, Jonathan Church, Derek Walton, Andrew Humphries, Trevor Hager, Gabby Norvell, Morganne Durham, Erin Osborne. Row four: Eric Spraker, Dustin Gibson, James McHenry, Logan Holley, Carson Cogar, Hillard Rooklin, Katie Rickett, Nicole Zierler, Courtney Gillespie. Not pictured: Brent Graham, Cameron Persinger. The 215 members of the Alleghany High School Class of 2015 received their diplomas during commencement exercises Saturday morning at the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Armory and Convocation Center. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
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BY DARRELL GLEASON
State Editor
CLIFTON FORGE — Alleghany High School said goodbye to one of the highest-achieving classes in its history Saturday.
School officials awarded 215 diplomas to the Class of 2015 Saturday morning at the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Armory and Convocation Center.
“You have met the academic challenges and indeed, you have exceeded our expectations. This class has distinguished itself as being high achieving and well rounded,” said Mary Jane Mutispaugh, acting superintendent of Alleghany County Schools.
The class included 62 honor graduates. In addition, 110 of the seniors graduated with grade-point averages at 3.0 or higher. Members of the class received more than $400,000 in scholarships and grants.
“This class has the highest ratio of honor graduates in Alleghany High School history,” said Randy Tucker, chairman of the Alleghany County School Board.
“These students achieved these things while being … the most tested students in the history of education and they have succeeded,” he added.
Dwayne Ross, who is concluding his first year as principal at AHS, said the senior class met the challenges that were set forth by the school’s faculty and staff.
“For the past four years, the faculty and staff challenged you to set high goals and to take responsibility to be the best. I tell everybody all the time that Alleghany High School is the best high school … we have students that are resilient and push each other to be the best, no matter what the circumstances are,” Ross said.
The valedictorian of the class was Shannon Bennett, daughter of David and Kim Bennett of Rich Patch.
Bennett will attend the University of Virginia at Wise to play softball, while majoring in software engineering and mathematics.
“We have been dreaming of this day for year upon year, and now that it is finally here, we just need to pause … we just want to enjoy every last fleeting moment.
Our lives will be forever changed as we walk across this stage,” Bennett said.
She referred to graduation as the end of a chapter of a book that’s still being written. She urged her classmates to pursue life with vigor so the book will have a good ending.
“The world is run by those who step up, not those who wait to be asked. So Class of 2015, let us not wait to catch a break. Let us reach out with both hands to catch success. Take your own lead and write your own story and not wait for someone else to tell us how,” Bennett said.
Salutatorian Casey Lofton is the daughter of Tony and Jenny Lofton of Clifton Forge. She will attend the University of Virginia to major in biology, with plans to pursue a career in medicine.
Lofton urged her classmates to make their mark on society while cherishing fond memories of AHS.
“This is probably the last time that our class will all be together … after we step out of this room, we will begin 215 completely different career paths,” Lofton said.
“It’s up to you to go out and [make your mark.] I wish you well in whatever the future of your life takes you upon,” she added.
Ross, Tucker and Mutispaugh also offered some advice for the future.
“Have faith in yourself, because you can accomplish anything when you set your mind to it,” Ross said.
“Spread joy to others, because your presence alone will make everyone around you better. Be proud of your community. We, as a school, are proud of each of you and we are confident that you will do great things in this world. You have been an absolutely wonderful class,” Ross said.
“I challenge you to go forth and continue this tradition. Tackle each challenge in your lives with the same hard work and determination,” Mutispaugh said.
“Remember the lessons which you have learned and never stop learning. This is the beginning of the first day of your life as a high school graduate. Take a moment and look around you … Remember to be the best at whatever you resolve to be. Remember that life is about relationships. In this electronic age, it’s easy to take people for granted and ignore the important things in life,” she said.
Tucker, speaking on behalf of the school board, urged each graduate “to go forward and make your mark on the world as you have at Alleghany High School.”
The class gift was presented to the school by its president, Hayley Oliver. The school will receive a projection screen for use in Hodnett Hall.
Three graduates — Bennett, Eric Spraker and Jonathan Ellis-Smith were recognized for perfect attendance during their senior year.
“This is the first time in a couple of years that I’ve been up here to give this award because the attendance the last couple of years has not been real good,” said John Hutchison, an assistant principal at AHS.
Saturday’s commencement was the 32nd in the school history.
Alleghany High School
Class Of 2015
Jacob Andrew Adams, Joshua Issac Agee, Gracie Hope Anderson, Travis Daniel Anderson, Faith Maureen Arthur, Nathaniel Robert Bayne, Savannah Starr Beard, Darrien Charles Beirne, Shannon Emmalee Bennett, Kayla Dawn Bess, Savannah Fontanne Blackburn, Katie Elizabeth Boggs.
Justin John Bowen, Aimee Renee Brinkley, Shanna Nicole Brookman, Nicole Paige Broughfman, Bethany Lynn Brown, Devon Austin Brown, Savannah Domonique Brown, Kendall Scott Browning, Laurel Elayne Burdette, Shelby Audrionna Burdette, Kyle Logan Burks, Elizabeth Paige Bush, Olivia Elise Byer.
Patrick DeWitt Cahoon Jr., Robert Antonia Calloway-Jones, Kimberly Danielle Campbell, Matthew Alan Campbell Jr., Joseph Christian Carter, Zachary Mark Carter, Abagail Olivia Cash, Brittney Lee Chambers, Charles Edward Chittum Jr., Jonathan David Church, Alexis Nicole Clark, William Leon Clark III, Samantha Lake Cline, Tyler Brie Cline, John Carson Cogar, Robert Alexander Cook, Kerry MacKenzie Cooper, Jawaan Jerome K. Cottrell, Aaron Burton Craft, Sarah Elizabeth Crance, Andrea Cuza.
Anthony Lamont Darcus, Elizabeth Jean Dawson, Ryan Matthew Deeds, Sierra Rae Dobson, Hayley Michelle Drennen, Zachary Charles Dressler, Hannah Nicole Dunaway, Morganne Nicole Durham, Jonathan Casey Ellis-Smith, Cordale Walkar Elmore.
Laura Allyn Farrar, Gabrielle Paige Fox, Andrew Mitchell Fridley, Austin Carr Fridley, Daniel Marino Fridley, Jacob Seth Fridley, Trever Wayne Fridley.
Michael Jacob Davis Garrett, Dustin Hunter Gibson, Rachel Nicole Gibson, Robert Paden Gibson, Courtney Leigh Gillespie, Taylor Nicole Ginger, Brent Lee Graham, James Robert Graham, Zane Allen Gray, Dylan Jeffrey Green, India Grace Green, Joshua Alexander Greenblatt, Austin Wade Groah, Blake Edward Groah, Malachi Antonio-Kevin Gumbs, Hallie Dayne Gunter.
Trevor Cameron Hager, Dustin Wayne Harmon, Sierra Brooke Harris, Jessie Rae Hartless, Ethan Ross Herwald, Chase Sullivan Higgins, Megan Leanne Hinkle, Zachary Logan Holley, Alexis Rey Honts, Elizabeth Nicole Hoover, Austin Blake Hoy, Alexis Anne Marie Hughes, Andrew Blake Humphries, Makala Marie Humphries, Megan Leigh Humphries, Logan Alan Hyler.
Amearie Lwokya Kagulire, Sarah Elizabeth Kelley, Gaige Mykail Kern, Michael Adam Kessinger, Blake Alexander Kimberlin, Emily Nicole Kinsey, Brandon Tyler Landis, Rachel Ann Lawrence, Jessica Jean Lesher, Laurel Virginia Lewis, Logan Blake Linkenhoker, Skyler VanGrae Linthicum, Ashley Dawn Little, Courtney Lee Little, Adam Warren Livesay, Casey Nicole Lofton, Adrianna Morgan Lomasney.
Ashely Marie Mann, David Anthony Marshall Jr., John Hudson Marshall, Alston Sidney Martin, Colby Shawn Martin, Mason Storm Martin, Skyler Charles Martin, Summer Nicole Martin, Jordan Elizabeth Mason, Arthur Ryan Mayo, Miles Anthony Hunter McCallister, Emma Rose McCoig.
Victoria Danielle McDorman, Jacob Taylor McDowell, James Patrick McHenry, Leroy Lane Meadows Jr., Alexis Angelique Mineiro, Bradon Gavin Montgomery, Jordan Paige Morgan, Mikayla Camille Morgan, Caleb Alexander Morris, Emily Jane Moyers, Briana Elizabeth Mundy, Shea-Lyn Nicole Newcomb, Alexander Nathaniel Nicely, Devin Gage Nicely, Aaron Matthew Nichols, Carlie Dee Nida, Tessa Raye Nida, Gabrielle Renaye Norvell.
Thomas Highland O’Conner, Tristan Blake O’Conner, Hayley Elisabeth Oliver, Erin Nicole Osborne, Amanda Paige Ouimette, Emily Beth Oyler, Alisia Pellegrini, Taylor Shane Perry, Cameron Ryan Persinger, Ethan Cabe Persinger, Levi Samuel Peters, Levi Caleb Plumley, Brenna Claire Porterfield, Afton Chase Potter, Joseph Francis Putnam.
Trevor Samuel Quantz, Tyra Lynette Ray, John Paul Reed Jr., Sarah Michelle Reed, Dustin Ty Reynolds, Kaitlyn Beverly Rickett, Christopher William Riley, Garrett Lee Hawk Robertson, Cameron Wayne Robertson, Destany Rose Rocha, Michael Austin Rogers, David Hillard Rooklin III, Jessica Renae Rothe.
Kelsey Savanna Sartain, Abigail Rose Seldomridge, Hannah Kelli Sheppard, Ashlen Tiwana Showalter, Morgan Taylor Shrewbury, Dakota James Simmons, Kari Lee Hope Simmons, Scott Andrew Simmons, Anita Adell Ann Sizemore, Tyler Curtis Sizemore, Logan McKenna Skiff, Cody Hunter Smith, Dakota Neil Smith, Michael Jarrett Smith, Thomas Bryce Smith, Emmanuel Dontrell Smothers, Brittany Madison Snead, Benjamin Letcher Snedegar, Richard Deaven Snyder, Eric Michael Spraker, Victoria Hope Sydenstricker.
Karleigh Paige Thompson, Cody Ryan Tucker, Darrian Shelia Tucker, Tiffany Belle Tucker, Alyson Denise Turkewitz, Zachariah Boomer Turner, Brittany Nicole Tyree, Santana Hope Unroe, Peyton Alexander Vail, Luis Miguel Vargas-Polo, Brianna Kayla Nicole Vest, Dylan Parker Via.
Lacey Ciera Waid, Cristen Alicia Lindsie Walton, Derek Alan Walton, Sierra Halie Watkins, Brandon Kyle Weinger, Michael Blair White, Corey Austin Williams, Michael Lee Williams, Raymond Lynwood Wilmer III, Chelsea Marie Wiseman, Hannah Ashten Wolfe, Jonathon Lee Wolfe, Samantha Lynn Wolfe, Taylor Ryan Wolfe, Carrigan Nicole Wright, Joshua Abraham Wright, Erik Michael Young, Tyron Dayon Young, Nicole Marie Zierler.
