Salem, Glenvar Classes of 2010 process into their future
SALEM – Members of the Class of 2010 processed into their future in graduation ceremonies for Glenvar High School outside in Highlander Stadium on June 12, and for Salem High School in the Salem Civic Center on June 15.
Salem graduates 297
Two-hundred and ninety seven Salem High School graduates made their way through the Salem Civic Center arena to receive their diplomas Tuesday afternoon. Thousands of family members and friends clapped and blew kisses to students in caps and gowns as they waited for the ceremony to begin.
National Honor Society graduates from Glenvar High School follow Marshal Abby Caldwell into Highlander Stadium at the start of graduation exercises on June 12. Photo by Meg Hibbert
Their support was most accurately described by Salem School Superintendent Dr. Alan Seibert when he said, “In Salem, we celebrate accomplishment and excellence, and we get what we celebrate.” 2010 Class President Phillip Rodgers carried the high school’s traditional mace as he led his fellow graduates to their seats. Graduates marched in smiling and waving at their guests.
Many of the students who had the opportunity to speak offered words of encouragement to their class, but anticipation also filled their words of wisdom.
Graduate Jenna Whisler encouraged her classmates to savor the moments of graduation as much as they looked forward to the moments that would follow the ceremony. She told them that patience was important and would allow them to get the most from their lives.
Salem High School graduates file into the Salem Civic Center for graduation on June 15. Photo by Hayleigh Phillips
Her speech was preceded by that of fellow graduate Jessica Scaggs, who told the audience that there were “no excuses” against achieving their dreams. Representatives of the Salem Educational Foundation and Alumni Association presented scholarships to 38 graduates, the school’s Distinguished Scholars who earned a 4.0 GPA between the ninth grade and graduation.
Several teachers who are retiring this year were also honored. The Salem High School Jazz Ensemble played several numbers for the audience throughout the afternoon. The performance featured several members of the Class of 2010, including Heather Truax, Tobias Counts, Kyle Crowell, Skyler Pierre and Kristen Patuto.
A reception followed the ceremony, and graduates continued to celebrate their success as well as their future with family and friends throughout the evening.
Salem High School was the last of the public schools in the Roanoke Valley to hold commencement exercises this year. Glenvar High School graduated outdoors Saturday in the school’s Highlander Stadium.
Craig County High School also graduated outdoors that day in that school’s stadium. The remainder of Roanoke County high schools held graduation exercises in the Salem Civic Center last week.
Salem is one of the last schools to hold graduation ceremonies this year because Salem Schools do not open before Labor Day and therefore, get out later in June than most others in the area.
– Hayleigh Phillips
Glenvar graduates under blue sky in Highlander Stadium
It was only 9:15 a.m. and already it was an eyelid-sweating day already on its way to 90 degrees in Highlander Stadium.
The hundreds of parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, younger classmates and friends of the members of Glenvar High School’s Class of 2010 didn’t seem to mind, though. They were in high spirits to celebrate with the 149 graduates processing in green or gold commencement caps and gowns.
Commencement exercises started a few minutes later than planned, because of the 3-mile-long backup on West Main Street, Dougherty Road and Malus Drive, caused by hundreds of vehicles all funneling into the one street that leads to GHS.
Principal Joe Hafey mentioned the expected heat in a positive vein as he welcomed the crowd to graduation exercises.
Glenvar High School Salutatorian Jacob Tyree listens to speeches at commencement ceremonies June 12. Photo by Meg Hibbert
Glenvar’s ceremony was unique among Roanoke County high schools this year, he pointed out. “While everyone else in the confines of the Salem Civic Center, we are outside,” he said.
The county’s other schools, William Byrd, Northside, Cave Spring and Hidden Valley, all held graduation events last week in the civic center, as would Salem High School this week on Tuesday. The civic center had been reserved, just in case of rain, for GHS graduation at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
This year’s graduates were led into the stadium by Marshals Nick Trinchere and Abby Caldwell and GHS Highlander of Honor Cooper Tyree, past the crowd and onto the field, buoyed by traditional bagpipe music played by Warpipe Celtic Pipe Band.
Salutatorian Jacob Cody Tyree wheeled onto the field in a place of honor, inspiring the crowd by his accustomed smiles and his very presence. After being diagnosed with a spinal tumor while in elementary school at Masons Cove, Tyree made the choice to have surgery to remove the tumor when he was 10 years old, even though it meant he would be in a wheel chair. In March of this year he signed to attend Illinois where he will play wheelchair basketball for the Fighting Illini.
Senior Class President Megan McConnell led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. Four of the school’s 14 valedictorians – Kasie Nikole Mills, Caroline Thomsen, Rachel Ely and Katherine Taylor Holland – inspired fellow graduates with their remarks.
Their speeches were interspersed by a vocal rendition of “Taking Chances” by the Glenvar Vocal Ensemble, “Finale B” by GHS Vocal Ensemble seniors, and retired band director Wilbur Grant leading the ensemble and audience in the school’s alma mater.
Principal Hafey awarded diplomas, with the help of assistant principals Sonya Cline and Jamie Soltis and English teacher Dale Bayless. This year’s graduates amassed hundreds of scholarships, including what the principal said was $100,000 from Roanoke College alone.
– Meg Hibbert
