Uniontown graduates 2009 class

Uniontown seniors await the beginning of the 2009 graduation ceremony in the West Bourbon Elementary gymnasium Tuesday night. About 30 seniors were to receive diplomas. (Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photo) [Click to enlarge]

UNIONTOWN -- The high school careers of about 30 students came to an end Tuesday in front of a packed West Bourbon Elementary School gymnasium.

Following baccalaureate services that evening, friends and family members attended commencement services to watch Uniontown High School seniors receive their diplomas. The UHS band and choir provided special music during the ceremony, and some USD 235 administrators took the podium to offer words of wisdom and advice for graduates.

USD 235 Superintendent Randy Rockhold encouraged graduates to practice patience and to "serve others" as they begin another journey in their lives.

Co-valedictorian Jacqueline Ellis speaks to the audience. Ellis and Travis Aikins, the other valedictorian, had 4.0 grade-point averages throughout their four years of high school. (Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photo) [Click to enlarge]

"To the class of 2009, I challenge you to embrace patience," Rockhold said. "Enduring trials and tribulations brings perseverance ... Be understanding of others ... I challenge you to make a difference in the world."

UHS Principal Tracy Smith welcomed guests during the ceremony and introduced the seniors with the highest academic achievements in the class; salutatorian Kennda Phillips and co-valedictorians Travis Aikins and Jacqueline Ellis. All four gave a brief address to their classmates and the crowd.

"We are all different, but we all have one thing in common; we are all eagles ready to fly away from the nest," Phillips said.

Aikins and Ellis earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages during their four-year high school careers.

"A word were never heard was 'quit,'" Ellis said of the confidence of her class throughout high school.

"I look back on the memories, but I look forward to the future," Aikins said.

In staying with tradition the last few years, a brief video featuring all seniors and images from their time at UHS was presented at the end of the ceremony after all had received their diplomas. Graduates also posed for photographs with friends and family members to conclude the evening.

The UHS class of 2009 includes Travis Aikins, Courtney Boyd, Devann Crystal, Jacob Curtis, John Doe, Jacqueline Ellis, Ethan Hammond, Kyli Harvey, Jonathan Hauenschild, Baylee Hereford, Stacy Hockett, Drew Johnson, Jesse Johnson, Jeremy LaRoche, Alex Miller, Britney Minor, Jon O'Dell, Andrew Ornelas, Danelle Page, Kennda Phillips, Koltan Schaaf, Heather Schnichels, David Shank, Mike Smith, Kait Spainhoward, Cody Tinsley, Adam Townsend, Elizabeth Underwood, Shelby Vender and Holli Zellner.