Ocracoke School Graduates 10 Seniors In The Class Of 2014 By CONNIE LEINBACH

Ocracoke School Graduates
10 Seniors In The Class Of 2014

By CONNIE LEINBACH

By CONNIE LEINBACH

By CONNIE LEINBACH

Andrew Tillett, valedictorian of the Ocracoke School Class of 2014, on Sunday, June 15, during graduation ceremonies likened high school to Plato’s Allegory of the Cave in his “Republic.”

“High school is in a way like a cave, and we can’t see the world in its entirety,” he told his nine classmates and a crowd of about 200 islanders in the Ocracoke School Gym. “We are leaving the dark cave and going out into the light.

“On one hand, we are starting new chapters and will be able to explore the world more fully, but on the other, we will never be able to come back,” he said.

Commencement speaker Jason Wells, owner of Jason’s Restaurant, who also is a coach and community volunteer, reminded the class a bit of the buffer they have here.

“You are loved by many,” he said, admonishing them that their paths are their choices. “We will be here with you,” he said. “Ocracoke will always have your back.”

Eight of the 10 seniors received scholarships totaling $82,588, said Principal Walter Padgett.

Tillett, who will go on to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, received the prestigious George and Frances London Scholarship of $30,000 and $1,000 from the Ocracoke School Athletic Boosters.

Class salutatorian, Zoe Huppert, received a $10,000 scholarship from SECU and $1,000 from the Grand Masonic Lodge. She will attend North Carolina State University, Raleigh, and study fashion design.

Other scholarship recipients were Alin Villenueva, $15,588, who will attend N.C. State University, which provided $13,000 of her total scholarship awards.

Other graduates receiving scholarships were Alma Flores, $10,280, who will attend East Carolina University; Amanda Gaskins, $10,050; Adam Carter, $2,500, who will attend Cape Fear Community College; Wyatt Norris, $1,950, who will attend AB Tech in Asheville, and Kade Nagakane, $750, who will attend AB Tech in Asheville.

Carlos DeLao and Logan Jenkins do not have immediate plans for college.