Class of 2018 Celebrated at June 9 Graduation Ceremony …WITH SLIDE SHOW By JOY CRIST
45 seniors at Cape Hatteras Secondary School received their diplomas at a graduation ceremony held on Saturday, June 9.
A collection of both friends and family joined the graduates in The William P. Dillon Memorial Gymnasium in Buxton on a warm summer evening to celebrate the happy occasion.
Emma Leigh Elisabeth Alvarez, Secretary for the senior class, welcomed family, friends, staff, and the class of 2018. “This is a major step in the journey of our lives – one that should be recognized for its immense significance,” she said. “It’s not only an act of personal commitment, but also one of pride.”
Members of the Dare County Board of Education, Superintendent John D. Farrelly, Chief Academic Officer Arty Tillett, Dare County Commissioners Danny Couch, Robert Woodard, Wally Overman, and Sheriff Doug Doughtie were also in attendance, and were recognized.
Salutatorian Kendal Nicole Woods led the prayer, and addressed the crowd. “I ask that you always be grateful and that you hold on to the memories of this place, and these people [who] have been blessings in our lives… Keep moving forward, keep pushing on, and God has great plans for you.”
Tyler Dyan Gavetti introduced the 2018 Guest Speaker, English teacher and soccer coach, Jordan Tomberlin.
“I think I can speak for most of us at Cape Hatteras when I say teaching you guys has been a privilege and a pleasure,” said Tomberlin at the start of her speech.
“I know without a show of a doubt that knowing you as students has made me a better teacher, and knowing you as people has made me a happier and better person… So thank you for being you, and thank you for accepting me, and thank you for the wealth of memories you have helped create that I will cherish forever. ”
Valedictorian Evan Joseph Cabral thanked his family, teachers and educators. “Some may say that high school will be the best years of your life, but in reality, those years are coming up as high school is just a stepping stone to greater things,” he said. “…These next few years, the world will open up to exploration, to create memories that you will never forget. Make these years after high school the best years of your life. No matter what you plan on doing after today, branch out and explore new ideas and experiences. Who knows where it will lead you.”
Principal Beth Haneman-Rocks introduced the 2018 Citizenship Award Recipient, Susanna Couch, noting that Couch had served as a chairperson on the Beacons of Change student group, helped with teachers and administration in forming a plan to help spread diversity, volunteered at annual British War Graves ceremonies, served on many committees, volunteered at Day at the Docks, volunteered with after-school enrichment programs, and even had her own radio show on Radio Hatteras.
“In the words of Theodore Roosevelt, ‘the first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he should be able and willing to pull his own weight.’ Well, tonight’s recipient has certainly completed that requirement,” said Haneman-Rocks.
Pastor Billy Rutledge, Auxiliary Clergy Support for the U.S. Coast Guard, along with Master Chief Petty Officer Chris Wright, presented an appointment to the Coast Guard Academy to Kendal Nicole Words, listing her accomplishments and noting that someday she “may the first female commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.”
The graduates then received their diplomas to loud cheers and rounds of applause, before turning their tassels and being deemed official graduates by Superintendent John D. Farrelly. The ceremony ended with the new graduates filing out to a recessional of Pomp and Circumstance.
