Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Students Graduate
Cardinals Accept Their Diplomas
FAYETTEVILLE — Farmington High School's graduation had it all: whoops and hollers, whistles, cameras flashing, standing ovations, horns and a few crying babies.
Parents, family members, friends, teachers and other school officials cheered as 145 seniors walked across the stage at Barnhill Arena to accept their diplomas and then prepare for the next stage of life.
In all, the graduates received more than $3.1 million in college scholarships.
Graduate Jenna O'dell gave the
innovation and class president Jamie Luther welcomed everyone to the 2012 commencement program.
Principal Chris Webb recognized three school officials who will be leaving this year: history teacher Tonya Mccuistion, basketball coach Ronnie Davis and school Superintendent Ron Wright.
Both Mccuistion and Davis are retiring after teaching at Farmington High for many years.
As Webb recognized Mccuistion and Davis, he asked everyone in Barnhill Arena to stand if they had them for a teacher. Graduates and many in the audience stood in honor of the two teachers.
Wright is resigning to accept a position with Dawson Educational Cooperative in Arkadelphia. He has served as school superintendent for 10 years.
Class valedictorian Andrew Giezentanner urged his peers to strive to be a “person of high moral standard.”
He named the qualities of a leader as trustworthy, strong and exhibiting humility
Trust is measured by honesty and integrity, Giezentanner told his fellow graduates. Strength is the ability to do what's right in tough situations, he added. Humility means “being a servant to your followers.”
Class salutatorian Jessica Oliver noted that the class of 2012 is ending one journey and embarking on a new venture.
“As we go through this open door to start our new journey, we need to remember that when one door closes, another one always opens. When new opportunities present themselves, embrace them and never underestimate yourself in anything you do,” Oliver said.
Graduates Kendra Center, Austin Miller and John Walker Williams gave a history of the class of 2012 from kindergarten through 12th grade. This has become a tradition at the Farmington commencement program and the history included humorous stories and major events in time, such as the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. One recurring theme throughout the years was the class' self-described “energy,” and the students cited several instances where privileges were taken away because of their “energy.”
Dean of Students Jay Harper named all the students who received college scholarships. In all, more than 65 students received scholarships to many colleges and universities in Arkansas and other states.
For the class of 2012, the class song was “Tattoos on This Town,” by Jason Aldean. The white rose was the class flower; class colors were black, silver and purple and the class motto: “Saving the best for Last.”
Junior sentinels for the graduation were Brennan Warren and Katherine Ganoung. Junior ushers were Bo Blew, Devan Lawson, Sarah Mcguire, Gayle Newman, Barrett Oxford and Chelsie Zelenko.