Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Three commencement exercises on the same day saw a total of 244 graduating from Milan, Jac-Cen-Del and finally, South Ripley schools on Saturday, May 24.

Milan’s ceremony kicked off the day long graduating events at 10:00 a.m. with the high school band playing the traditional processional Pomp and Circumstance, with Principal Richard Healy welcoming the crowd. Jamie Johnson, famous musician and bluegrass recording artist with The Grascals, a 1990 graduate of Milan, gave an inspirational speech telling the students they could become whatever they wanted, him being proof.

The class flower for Milan was a white rose with red glitter. Chosen colors were red, black, gold and white. The class motto was “Do not follow where the path may lead, go instead, where there is no path and leave a trail” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Class officers were Mariah Hunger, president; Kimberly Atwell, vice-president; Jennifer Wullenweber, secretary; and Courtney Crabtree, treasurer.

At 2:00 p.m. seniors from Jac-Cen-Del would have their final ceremony with family and friends attending. Those attending the forty-eighth annual commencement exercises were welcomed by Ray Ratledge. Principal Johnny Budd introduced the band and choir who performed under the direction of Glenn Unklesbay.

Seniors at JCD chose green and cobalt blue for their colors, with the class flower being orange snapdragons. Their song was In This Diary by, The Ataris. Class motto was “We always knew we would look back on our tears with laughter, but we never thought we would look back on our laughter with tears.”

The forty-second annual graduation exercises at South Ripley High School at Versailles culminated the days commencement events at 5:30 p.m. at the Tyson Auditorium. The choir performed the traditional Irish Blessing with the sounds of the Battle Hymn of Republic coming from the band.
South Ripley seniors chose moonlight rose for their class flower, silver and maroon for their colors and their class motto was “To achieve all that is possible we must attempt the impossible.” Their class song was “Laughed Until We Cried” by Jason Aldean. Class officers were: Elizabeth Hicks, president; Kellie Collier, vice president; Sally Adams, secretary; and Trent Tucker, treasurer.

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO Hats off to the gradutes! Pictured from left are Milan graduates: Jennifer Wullenweber, Kim Atwell, Courtney Crabtree and Mariah Hunger, as they led the annual front lawn tossing of the caps on Saturday, May 24, just after graduation ceremonies at Milan High School.