Graduation brings mixed emotions

By GINA KINSLOW
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW May 23, 2009 03:01 pm

— Glasgow High School seniors had mixed emotions Friday night. They were happy and sad at the same time.
The fact that his high school days were actually over didn’t hit Corey Holcomb until Friday night.
“For the past week it’s just been like it’s going to be another summer,” he said. “It’s just like ‘wow, it’s finally here.’”
Holcomb was sad he wouldn’t get to see all of friends as often as he had been during high school once graduation was over.
“We’re all going our separate ways,” he said.
But he was happy that he is about to embark on a new adventure in life — college. Holcomb plans to attend Campbellsville University.
Joining him will be GHS classmate Ashley Abner, who plans to major in education.
Reality hit Abner Thursday night.
“I just realized all of my friends are leaving and we may never be together again,” she said.
As of Friday night there had been no talk of any upcoming reunion or get together, not in five years and not next year at homecoming.
“I guess we’ll just call each other up,” she said.
Bur reality had yet to hit her friend Amber Harris.
“Like I know during the ceremony it’s not going to hit me until we’re walking out, but I’m really excited,” Harris said. “I’m going to miss everybody, but I’m ready to move on.”
Harris plans to attend Sullivan University and hopes to become a travel agent one day.
Principal Kelly Bell and faculty members who served as senior sponsors stayed busy in the minutes leading up to the big moment checking to make sure senior’s caps were on straight and that they looked their absolute best before beginning the procession from the cafeteria to the gym for commencement exercises.
“This group of kids, they are in general the sweetest, kindest group of young men and women I’ve ever worked with,” she said. “It’s been an honor to get to be with them everyday for three years.”
Bell began her career as principal at GHS when the students were sophomores. She said she was proud of what they had accomplished during their high school careers and of what goals they have set for themselves.
“Many of them are going to universities. I do believe 88 percent are going to postsecondary education (institutions),” she said. “They have high aspirations. They are a hardworking class. They are a dedicated class. They’ve put their time in. They are a high achieving class.”
Damarias Moore earned the rank of valedictorian, while Emily Hogan was the salutatorian.
Teacher Lisa Bartley said she was going to miss the class of 2009.
“I’ve had some of them for three years,” she said. “They started their sophomore year with me. So, yes, I’m going to miss them. I started with these kids. I came in when they were freshmen.”
Bartley said she didn’t think she would cry during the graduation ceremony unless one of the students did.
“That will start off a chain reaction,” she said.

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