The 107 members of the Switzerland County High School graduating class of 2011 will participate in commencement ceremonies this Sunday afternoon. The ceremonies are set to begin at 2 p.m. in the high school gymnasium, and family, friends, and members of the community are invited to attend.
The ceremony will begin with Junior Class Marshals Samantha Helt and Laura Nay presenting the colors; and that will be followed by the processional of graduates into the gym as the Switzerland County High School band plays “Pomp and Circumstance”. The band will then perform “The National Anthem”.
Jessie Ray, Class President, will lead everyone in the “Pledge of Allegiance”; and valedictorian Ashley Green will welcome everyone to the commencement program. Class Salutatorian Julie Furnish will then introduce honored guests in attendance and the class officers, and Karoline Park, Class Secretary, will introduce this year’s Baccalaureate speaker.
This year’s Baccalaureate Address will be given by Patrick Lanman, pastor of Olive Branch Baptist Church; and that will be followed by a prayer of invocation, led by Valedictorian Ashley Green.
Director of Guidance Marla Edwards will then present recognition of academic honors, and math teacher and National Honor Society sponsor Pam Jones will recognize the members of the National Honor Society. Marla Edwards will then give Technical Honors recognition; and will then introduce the Top 10 Seniors.
Assistant principal David Todd and Director of Guidance Marla Edwards will then introduce the class salutatorian and valedictorians.
Student addresses will then follow. This year, two student speakers will represent their class. As has become tradition here, those speakers have asked a member of the faculty to introduce them.
This year’s first student address will be presented by Valedictorian and Class Treasurer Emma Johnson. She will be introduced by former high school teacher Shannon Barger.
This year’s second student address will be presented by Valedictorian and Class Vice President Kimberly Cox. She will be introduced by former high school teacher Ann Roller.
With student speeches concluded, Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Jones will then certify the class.
Diplomas will be presented by Superintendent Jones and Andy Truitt, President of the Switzerland County School Board of Trustees.
Following the presentation of diplomas, a Song of Tribute performed by class member Hilary Lanman.
The benediction will then be given by Wayne Daugherty, school board member and the pastor at Fredonia Baptist Church; and Class President Jessie Ray will lead her class in the turning of tassels.
The band will then play the recessional as graduates and members of the faculty leave the gymnasium; and graduates will then meet family members and friends in front of the school.
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Editor’s Note: In today’s edition of the Vevay Newspapers there is a six-page insert saluting the Class of 2011. In that insert it lists the time of graduation starting at 2:30 p.m. This is an error. This year’s graduation will begin on Sunday at 2 p.m. Vevay Newspapers regrets this error.