Graduation ceremonies this week
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 22, 2005 2:08 AM
More than 1,100 seniors are receiving diplomas from public and private high schools across the county this year.
Faith Christian Academy led off the ceremonies Friday evening in the church auditorium, with 10 graduates recognized. Stephen Ray Sloan was valedictorian and Stephanie Dawne Smith was salutatorian.
In Wayne County Public Schools, five schools have scheduled graduation ceremonies for Friday night, and Spring Creek High School's commencement exercises will be Saturday morning.
Eastern Wayne High's graduation will be held at 6 p.m. in Warrior Stadium. Valedictorian Laura Ivey and salutatorian Brittney Taylor will give the commencement speeches. Two hundred and eighty-eight students will graduate.
Goldsboro High will graduate 131 students beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium. Valedictorian Ashelyn Nicole James will give the farewell address. Tiffany Latrice Merritt is salutatorian.
The Charles B. Aycock High graduation will be held at 7 p.m. at Hardy Talton Field, with 243 candidates for diplomas. The commencement address will be given by valedictorian Anem Waheed. The class salutatorian is Gregory Tipton.
Also at 7 p.m. will be Rosewood High's ceremonies on the football field, with 109 students graduating. Commencement speeches will be given by valedictorian Alex Sotorios Benton and salutatorian Brandon Jacob Hietpas.
Southern Wayne High will have 221 students graduating, with ceremonies beginning at 7 p.m. Friday in College Hall at Mount Olive College. Commencement speakers will be valedictorian Michael Moore and salutatorian Betsy Overman.
Spring Creek High's graduation will be held at 11 Saturday morning in College Hall at Mount Olive College. Commencement speakers will be valedictorian Kelly Jones and salutatorian Kelly Murphy.
One hundred and seventeen students will graduate.
Two other private schools will also present diplomas on Friday evening at their respective schools, both beginning at 7 p.m.
Wayne Christian has 18 graduates this year, with ceremonies in the gymnasium. Valedictorian Melissa Sheldon and co-salutatorians Leslie Anderson and Jeremy Crouthamel will speak during the ceremonies, with the commencement address by Rev. Brian Beverly.
At Wayne Country Day School also has 18 graduates. Ceremonies will be held in the gymnasium, with Amanda Knutson, valedictorian, and parent Diane Strickland scheduled to speak. Salutatorians are Brandy Phipps and Laura Ziemer.
In neighboring Johnston County, Princeton High School ceremonies will be at 7 p.m. Friday in the school's new gymnasium. The speakers will be the valedictorian and the salutatorian. Their names and the number of graduates will be known after final exams are completed on Wednesday.
North Duplin High School will have 60 students graduating Friday morning at 11 in College Hall at Mount Olive College. Kimberly Canuette is the valedictorian and Meridith Matthis is the salutatorian.