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Top News June 8, 2006  RSS feed
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Class remembers lost friends at graduation

Class remembers lost friends at graduation

By Amanda Isley • Staff writer

WARM SPRINGS - Friday, Bath County High School's graduation went off without a hitch. The senior class of 2006 handed over the reins with smiles on their faces and diplomas in their hands. But they took time that night to remember three of their classmates who had died, and how their loss had made them stronger in their youth.



The ceremony began with a processional played by Betty Cauley. The audience was led in the pledge of allegiance by senior Casie Stevenson, and Erin Plecker sang the national anthem.

Speakers included class president Monica Plecker, student representative to the school board Courtney Fry, salutatorian Dasheia Vance, valedictorian Krista Armstrong, and guest speaker Bryan Stinespring, who coaches Virginia Tech's football team, introduced by class vice president Sarah Campbell,


Plecker remembered three classmates seniors had lost over the years. During her memoriam speech, other members of the class presented the parents of Roy Cox, Liz Eddy and Zach King with a single pink rose and a commemorative cap. Also signifying the three students' over-arching presence were three gowns draped over seats in the front row of graduating seniors.

Vance and Armstrong, too, drew on the class's deep rooted experiences with tragedy.

Vance reminded seniors they had all accomplished a lot in life already. Although some facts learned in math and science might not stick like putty to the minds of each classmate, the life experiences already have.

"Twenty years from now you may not remember the importance of the Spanish Armada or the in- depth process of photosynthesis, but you will remember the lessons you learned about friendships, loves, and the pain of losing someone close to you," she said. Vance attends the University of Virginia this fall.

Armstrong began her speech with a prayer, thanking God for bringing them together safely only to branch out in new directions. She pointed out each member of the class of 2006 had learned life was precious and guaranteed to no one.

"Even though plans cannot go smoothly all of the time, we have learned to keep smiles on our faces and make the most of what we have," she said.

Stinespring, who grew up in Alleghany County, where he attended a high school of similar size, shared some of his own memories and favorite stories. Hard work and self-awareness were his topics of choice. He encouraged the seniors never to lose sight of where they came from.

"I appreciate where I came from more today than I ever did growing up - there's nothing like coming home," he said.

Fry welcomed school board members and the board of supervisors and thanked them for attending. She read the poem "Dream Big" to her classmates, encouraging them to strive to achieve their goals.

In closing, BCHS principal Pete Pitard noted the graduating class was the first he has seen all the way through here. "And now I have a full head of gray hair," he joked.

Pitard expressed pride for their accomplishments and observed the tragedy they had suffered over the last five years had brought them closer together.

The senior class earned a total of $205,000 in scholarship money, with over 60 percent attending a four-year or two-year college in the fall, he said.