CHSSCS Class of 2010 Commencement
Fifty-one Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies students received their diplomas at the 2010 CHSSCS commencement on the evening of June 12 in the William P. Dillon Memorial gymnasium.
Entering the stadium to Pomp and Circumstance played by the Cape Hatteras Secondary School Graduation Band as led by Band Director Sean McCroskey, were NC Governor Beverly Eaves Perdue with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sue Burgess, Board of Education Chair David Oaksmith, Vice-Chair Dr. Walter Holton, Board members Bea Basnight, Ben Cahoon, Anthony Fletcher and Ben Sproul; and Assistant Superintendent John Winston, Director of Secondary Instruction Nancy Griffin, with school administrators 9-12 Principal Jean Taylor, 6-8 Principal Beth Rooks, Assistant Principal Dave Guiley; followed by CHSSCS faculty and the Class of 2010. Dare County Commissioners, Chairman Warren Judge, Vice-Chair Allen Burrus and Virginia Tillett were in the audience.
Colors were presented by the United States Coast Guard, with senior Zach Gillikin leading the Pledge of Allegiance; senior class President Rachael McDaniel welcomed all. Yuliana Escobedo and Tyler Naughton presented gifts to those who signed their diplomas, teacher Braxton Hall and senior class sponsors Betsy Gwin, Elke Schwartz, Darlene Francis and Suzanne Jennette - Escobedo translated Naughton's English for Spanish speaking family in attendance.
Principal Rooks presented 2010 Salutatorian Lauren Randall; following Randall's address, senior Avery Hooper introduced keynote speaker, NC Governor, The Honorable Beverly Eaves Perdue. Perdue based her remarks on the class of 2010 individual and group accomplishments, and urged students to set and accomplish goals, and to "make a difference" with each of their lives.
Principal Jean Taylor then presented CHSSCS 2010 Valedictorian Mickey Gregory, after Gregory's address, Taylor presented the Citizenship Award to senior Ian Callahan.
In his distinctive style, social studies teacher Braxton Hall called candidates forward for their diplomas, assisted by Principals Taylor and Rooks. Graduates were welcomed to the platform by Superintendent Burgess, and before receiveing their diplomas, congratulated by Governor Perdue.
Class President McDaniel oversaw the turning of the tassels, which signaled the CHSSCS tradition of presenting flowers to a special family member or friend, this year accompanied by the 2010 senior class song Five for Fighting's "100 Years." Next came Alex Hurley's video "Final Countdown."
Up for final words was Cape Hatteras Elementary School Principal Ray Gray who retires this year. The Class of 2010 was the first class at CHES with Gray at the helm as principal 13 years ago. Gray reminded students that graduation is the beginning of a lifetime of adventure and encouraged them to embrace life and its opportunities.
Lexi Bunting's closing preceded a campus produced video "Looking Back" (by Chelsea Cerca, Kayla Revels, and Bill Evans) before Dare County Schools newest graduates exited the gym to face their waiting families and bright futures.
Academic Junior Marshals for 2010 were serving in various capacities throughout the ceremony - Chief Marshal Brad Dunnagan, Eric Beierlein, Rheanna Miller, Abby Nelson, Caitlin Parsons, Elijah Thompson, Sarah Tokazowski, Kelsey Walz, and Kelsey Waterfield.