The graduating classes of Anson High School, Anson Academy, Anson New Tech and Anson County Early College received their diplomas in a ceremony on Saturday morning at AHS Stadium.
After the graduates entered the stadium to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance,” graduates Quatavis Devon Liles, Megan Deshaun Little and Bria Celeste Smith sang a powerful rendition of the National Anthem. Angelena Castro led the audience through the Pledge of Allegiance, while Jasmine Kelisha Kirby gave the invocation.
Anson County Schools Superintendent Michael Freeman welcomed the crowd and recognized dignitaries in the audience, as well as the Board of Education members who were onstage for the presentation of the diplomas. Most importantly, he said, were the parents and other family members present to watch their graduates walk across the stage.
“I think the many smiling faces in the crowd may be more excited than our graduates,” Freeman said.
Freeman also asked all of the 2015 marshals to stand and be recognized. They were: from Anson County Early College — Cierra Danisha Boggan, Brittany Danielle Burr, Naly Lor, Ava Brooke Thuleen, Kacie Renee Winfield; from Anson New Tech — Dakotah Hawke Caulder, Jaquone Julius Lewis, Jackson David Poulnnot, Diego Raphael Joco Rosales, Brandon Jamal Watson; and from Anson High School — Caitlin McKenzie Bunce, Phillip James Burns, Hyla Elizabeth Campbell, Zadadria Shydae Clark, Graceson Rose Diggs, Destiny Nichole Dows, Malia Katlin Gaddy, Benny Ray Galliher III, Vincent Ray Gilmore, Garrett Alan Griffin, Brittany Genella Henderson, Marneisha Danielle Ingram, Sally Ann James, Hannah Elyse Knotts, Justice Raione Leak, Madison Lane Martin, Alynda Jacura Pratt, Christian Gage Tarlton, Erin Nicole Thomas, Mai-Teelee Yang.
Freeman said that although the Class of 2015 may have attended separate elementary schools, and separated from each other upon graduating eighth grade, they have formed lifelong friendships, which started as early as kindergarten and will continue after graduation.
AHS valedictorian Mallary Dawn Taylor gave her speech first, talking about how the graduates created roots in Anson County that will continue to sustain them as they move into adulthood. Taylor said she lost her mother on March 19 of this year, and that experience helped shape her into who she is now.
“The struggles life throws at you cannot keep the smile off my face,” she said. “I want to encourage you all not to be defeated by these struggles. Class of 2015, we are Anson, and we are the leaders of the future.”
New Tech valedictorian Roldan Biete spoke about dreams, and how those dreams can change throughout the course of getting an education. Biete said he wanted to be a computer scientist when he was a freshman, but as a senior, he decided to change his college major to biomedical engineering. “We’ve all faced struggles,” he said, “but our ability to pull ourselves out of these holes is what makes us great champions.”
Finally, Anson Early College valedictorian Zachary Garnder talked about honoring our roots. “We are Anson,” he said. “My roots in Anson County are very deeply planted.”
He told the story about his first day of Pre-K at Peachland-Polkton Elementary School, during which his parents watched him get on the bus and then followed the bus to school and watched it unload to be sure everything went smoothly. “Well, Mr. Freeman called law enforcement,” he said, which brought laughs from the audience. “He wanted to know why a strange truck was watching the buses.”
Gardner went on to say that he has been “severely pruned” by many teachers in Anson County Schools over the years. “Never, never forget that we are and forever will be Anson,” he told his classmates.
After the speeches, Principals Preston Waddell of Anson Academy, Carri Decker of Anson Early College, Chris Stinson of Anson New Tech and Assistant Principal Dionnya Pratt of Anson High School (on behalf of Principal Chad Murphy) deferred the degrees to the graduates.
The benediction to end the graduation ceremony was led by salutatorians Colton Jacob Snodgrass, Benjamin Spencer Rivers and Riki René Dows.
More photos from the graduation ceremony can be found on The Anson Record’s Facebook page.