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Time to soar
UNIONTOWN -- More than 30 high school students began a new chapter in their lives Tuesday in front of more than 300 friends and family at West Bourbon Elementary School.
Uniontown High School Class of 2010 Commencement Services began with the Uniontown Junior High/High School Eagle Band playing "Pomp and Circumstance" as members of the graduating class walked into the gymnasium filled with family, friends, and teachers waiting in anticipation.
USD 235 Superintendent and Uniontown High School Principal Randy Rockhold, along with Tracy Smith, West Bourbon Elementary Principal, and members of the USD 235 Board of Education, gathered at the podium to distribute diplomas and words of wisdom to the graduates.
Rockhold began the program by encouraging the students to make a difference -- in their country and in the world.
"This group of kids... this group of young adults, are about to go out and change the world," Rockhold said. "Each of you have unique, amazing talents -- use those God given talents, not for selfish gain, but to make this great country even greater, and to make this world be all it can be. Make a difference in this world."
After his message to the graduating class, Rockhold introduced the guest speaker for the evening, Karen Tritt, 2010 Kansas Teacher of the Year. Tritt spoke of the different rite of passage many cultures have and how graduation was the American rite of passage, the next step in life.
"Many cultures have a rite of passage," Tritt said. "This is as close as we get; this is the new step, changing to your new status."
Tritt also spoke of many well-known companies and businesses and what led them to success while encouraging the students to incorporate those traits into their own lives.
"Everyone is looking for that magic combination," Tritt said. "Whether your a student or an employee, people are always looking for the combination of two things. They are looking to see if you can balance those two things -- consistency and quality. Your success will be determined by if you can balance those two things -- consistency and quality."
The Uniontown High School Choir members, accompanied by Rhonda Allen, West Bourbon Elementary staff member, then sang "Remember Me."
Rockhold then introduced the two students receiving the highest academic accomplishment, Salutatorian Jessica Schaaf and Valedictorian Abigail Smith. Each gave a brief address to their class.
Schaaf encouraged her fellow classmates to live their lives happily.
"Don't let yourself be unhappy in any aspect of your life," Schaaf said. "Above all else, love your life, it's the only one you've got."
Smith, daughter of West Bourbon Elementary Principal Tracy Smith, spoke to the class about following their dreams.
"To the Class of 2010, take your dreams," Smith said. "Follow them. You're all capable of changing the world."
Following their addresses, Rockhold, along with USD 235 B.O.E. members, presented the graduates with their diplomas. Rockhold then publicly introduced the class as the newest members of alumni before allowing the graduating class to participate in one final class tradition: The presentation of their class film, which contained pictures from their years at Uniontown.
The UHS Class of 2010 includes: Arren Ashley, Alysha Bartlett, Samantha Beerbower, Christian Benson, Butch Burns, Candice Clayton, KayLynn Cloke, Jeremiah Dawson, Benjamin Dixon, Bethany Ericson, Ashley Feagins, Tyler Felt, Darcy Hawkins, Allen Johnson, Angelena Kirby, Terry Kiser, Ithaca Marlier, Barry McAnulty, Haley Melton, Kyle Mills, Krista Mumbower, Caroline O'Dell, Christian Page, Cody Poyner, Levi Priest, Calvin Pulliam, Dalton Pulliam, Justin Query, Taylor Rathbun, Richard Rhoades, Rayma Ridge, Du'Shaun Robinson, Jessica Schaaf, Cassandra Schwalm, Abigail Smith, Michael Stanley, Maggie Taylor and Cheyenne Wiley.