The Shadow
Bath County High School Principal Sarah Rowe shields herself with an umbrella as graduates bombard her with Silly String Saturday morning at the conclusion of BCHS’ commencement exercises. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
Bath County High School Principal Sarah Rowe shields herself with an umbrella as graduates bombard her with Silly String Saturday morning at the conclusion of BCHS’ commencement exercises. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
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HOT SPRINGS — “Make life count.”
Armed with a clear umbrella to combat the onslaught of Silly String and squirt guns, Principal Sarah Rowe imparted those final words of wisdom on the Class of 2014 at Bath County High School.
The 48 members of the class received their diplomas during commencement exercises Saturday morning in the BCHS auditorium.
Class members paused to reflect on the past, enjoy the present and look forward to the future during the ceremony. They also remembered their fallen classmate, Joey Roberts, who was killed in an October 2011 traffic accident.
“I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me the intelligence and the tools necessary to conquer this feat,” Ryan Woodzell said in his valedictory address.
Woodzell thanked family and friends “that have been supporting me every step of the way.”
He added, “I would also like to give a big thanks to my classmates for being great friends and family to me. I am going to miss the friends I made in this class, and I wish you all the best of luck throughout the rest of your lives.”
Woodzell recalled the good times the class has shared and the tragedy of losing a classmate.
“As we all leave this place, departing from lifelong friends and family members, there is a part of us that will never leave, the legacy that we created, many of us may leave and then return, many may stay here, and many may leave, but part of who we are will never leave Bath County High School,” he said.
“Even though we are going separate ways, we have all knocked on the door to the rest of our lives, and it has finally been opened to us,” Woodzell concluded. “What we decide to do now that the door is opened is our decision. Whether we decide to stay where we are and do what we love or set our dreams high and do whatever we can to achieve them. It is our choice to move on to the next step in our lives and do whatever we can to make it as good as possible.
“But regardless of what we do with our lives, we can look back at our younger selves and know that we came together as the Class of 2014.”
Salutatorian Julia Billingsley said she drew a blank several weeks ago when she first sat down to write her speech.
“My brain has been on summer vacation since February,” she said with a laugh. “So I tried on my graduation robe, fixed a pot of coffee and began typing. Important life lesson No. 1: There is nothing that cannot be accomplished if you dress for success and seek a little help from a dear friend named caffeine.”
Billingsley said graduation “is a precipice for every graduating senior on this stage.”
“We are about to tumble into the unknown, and for all, the occasion is both exhilarating as well as slightly unnerving,” she added.
Billingsley said the future holds “endless opportunities” for her and her classmates.
“Seniors, set your sights high, but always make sure to be happy. It’s truly what matters the most in life,” she said.
In closing, Billingsley thanked parents, teachers and administration for their efforts behind the scenes.
“Parents and guardians, without you to care about our success, our report cards would be too ugly to open and we still would not be potty-trained,” she said.
“Teachers, your instruction and advice about life have inspired us all in one way or another, and you are the real MVP for passing us in enough classes to graduate.
Thank you.
“Administration and all those who keep this school running as well as it does, thank you for providing such an excellent school system to attend and from which to graduate,” Billingsley said in conclusion. “It was an honor to be a student at Bath County High School.”
Lynn Agee provided the processional for Saturday’s commencement exercises, while Daniel Hevener led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Melinda Hooker played the National Anthem on the flute.
Jordan Ford welcomed those in attendance, while Gwen Miller recognized special guests.
Mikayla McMullen and Ben Wolfe provided a memorial to Joey Roberts, while Emily Lowry performed Jason Aldean’s “Tattoos on This Town,” in Roberts’ memory. Lowry also performed other special music.
A history of the class was given by Sydney Herscher and Kara Kincaid.
Senior class officers included President Jordan Ford, Vice President Gwen Miller, Secretary Mikayla McMullen and Treasurer Daniel Hevener.
The class colors were gold, silver and black, while the Tiger Lily was the class flower.
The class song was “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.
Class sponsors included Joey Altizer, Lisa Hamilton, Jane McMullen and Jeanie Rooklin.
Marshals for Saturday’s graduation exercises were Saul Pasco and Emily Hall, while junior Beta Club members served as ushers.
Flower arrangements were provided by Mountain Laurel Creations.
BCHS Principal Sarah Rowe, Sue Hirsh, superintendent of Bath County Public Schools, and Cathy Lowry, the chairwoman of the Bath County School Board, presented diplomas.
Forty percent of the BCHS Class of 2014 will attend a four-year college, while 50 percent will continue their education at a two-year school. Eight percent will enter the workforce, while 2 percent plan to enter the milirary.
A quote from Abraham Lincoln served as the class motto. “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
Members of the Class of 2014 at Bath County High School include:
Dustin Michael Albanese, Julia Belmont Billingsley, Aubrey Jackson Black, Zackary Nathanial Brinkley, Meghan Lee Brown, Alex Bruce Cambata, Michael Lee Criser, Allyson Taylor Cutlip, Kala Dawn Day, Abby Nicole Folks, Jonah David Ford, Jordan Bryant Ford, Owen Thomas Fry, Rachael Nichole Gibson, Sydney Allen Herscher, Daniel Robert Hevener, Kara Alexandra Kincaid, Indian Star Knight, Lucy Paige Lotts, Emily Gail Lowry, Luke Everette Lyons, Dakota Lee Matheny, Mikayla Kelley McMullen, Kristen Marie McNeal.
Gwendolyn Elaine Miller, Mikayla Ann Miller, Jessica Ann O’Conner, Gustavo Raul Paredes-Nieves, Kyanna Linnia Plecker, Brandon Lee Plogger, John Michael Quantz Jr., Thomas Jackson Retzlaff, Shane Tyler Robertson, Calib Tomas Rocha, Amber Lynn Sensabaugh, Whitney Morgan Shifflett, Thomas Vernon Shrader, Jacob Bailey Smiley, Branden Wayne Via, Dakota Austin Walton, Justin Schuyler Webb, Benjamin William Wolfe, Michael Julian Wolfe, Christian Alexander Woodzell, Kendal Lauren Woodzell, Ryan Matthew Woodzell, Ashley Michelle Wright, Ethan Josef Wrights.
