LAURINBURG — The timeless tones of “Pomp and Circumstance” welcomed the 24 graduates of Shaw Academy to commencement exercises on Friday morning.
The graduates were also greeted by friends, family and teaches as the seniors took a final walk together as the Class of 2017. Some families wore T-shirts honoring their graduate while others brought balloons and flowers to celebrate the occasion.
The Shaw Academy Principal LaTonya McLean introduced the top two students from the Class of 2017 — Robert Lamont Murdock, Jr. and Ashley Elizabeth Campbell.
Campbell, who will be attending Richmond Community College to pursue a degree in Nursing, explained to her fellow classmates that this would likely be the last time they were together as a group.
“If given the choice I wouldn’t have chosen this group, but after looking back I realized I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way,” Campbell said. “Looking back is seemed like an insurmountable task when we started, but here we are together in our final moments we celebrate the memories and our future accomplishments.”
Murdock, who will be attending Sandhills Community College to pursue a degree in Biology, reminisced on the special relationship the class had with each of their teachers.
“We are happy to say it’s over, but glad we came,” he said. “We will miss Shaw Academy as it served us well as we prepare to enter the giant sea that is life. We also need to thank the people that made this moment possible — our parents. You pushed, pulled and threatened us to make sure we would make it to his point and you deserve to be here on this stage with us. Mom, I hope to pay you back some day. Class of 2017 — lets make our families proud and be great.”
Shaw Academy counselor Juanita Quick then read the future plans for each of the graduates, 13 will continue their education at the collegiate level, one is entering the military, one is going to Job Corp and nine will enter the workforce.
Then it was time for the main event — the presentation of diplomas. As each seniors name was read, applause and shouts of “that’s my baby” and “thank you Lord” could be heard from the family members in the crowd.
With the diplomas handed out, Scotland High School Assistant Principal David Johnson reminded the seniors how monumental of an accomplishment finishing high school is and how proud they should be of their achievement.
“You have achieved something that no one can take away from you,” Johnson said. “Just remember if you did it before, you can do it again.”
The graduates then moved their tassels from right to left and smiled from ear to ear as their high school careers had finally come to a close. Parents and family members swarmed the Class of 2017 with hugs, tears, high-fives and requests for pictures to celebrate and close out the commencement exercises.
The graduates of the Shaw Academy’s Class of 2017 are, in alphabetical order: Ashley Elizabeth Campbell, Bronta Shamar Campbell, Sabrina Liz Chambers, Makayla Faith Goldson, Sayeticonah Shyvece Graham-McLean, Justin Tyrell Hamer, Brandon Darrell Holland, Hannah Marie Locklear, Benjamin James Long, Brent Cash Blue Lowery, Terry Terrell McLaughlin, Shi-hem La’bendrell Blake McLeod, Chenoa Yvonne McMillan, Tygiria DeEarl McRae-Turnner, Kristina Marie Morris, Robert Lamont Murdock, Jr., Ridge O’Bryan Oxendine, Emily Grace Pate, Keyondre Deionta Purvis, Ma’Kayla Capri Roberts, Tariq Thomas Robertson, Michael Treyvon Robinson, Isaiah Emmanuel Smith and Kimberly Denise Williams.
Amber Hatten can be reached at 910-506-3170.
