90 get diplomas Friday night; Watson and Cravens are top grads

Graduating seniors who repainted "The Rock" included (counterclockwise, more or less, from top left) Jonathan Nicholson, Elizabeth Duggan, Molly Newsome, Lindley Hall, Brittany Anderson, Maggie Cravens, Kirby Wilson, Dywane Hampton, Krystle Kvalheim, Patrell Turman, Darrieat Dubose, Khiry Tutt, Cedric Quinn, and underclassman Tevin Turman.

A last-minute addition made it an even 90 Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School seniors who walked into Tiger Stadium Friday night and walked out high school graduates, to the proud applause of family, friends, and classmates.

The band didn't play but a makeshift keyboard setup provided a "Pomp and Circumstance" background of music as the procession of graduates was led in by top junior class scholars John Lovvorn and Kimberly Jenkins.

Senior Class President Diundra Doughty welcomed guests and Lindley Hall, class secretary, introduced all the special guests, including school administrators and members of the Wilkes County Board of Education.

She also introduced Jessica Watson as valedictorian and Maggie Cravens as salutatorian. Other honor graduates, as named at the Senior Banquet the night before in order of class rank, were Molly Newsome, Megan Arnold, Donna Dove, Trey Berry, Elizabeth Duggan, Kirby Wilson, Les Robb, Krystle Kvalheim, and Jonathon Nicholson.

Cravens, in her salutatory address, said her grandfather had always advised her to "work hard and don't forget to have a good time." She suggested that her classmates take that "simplified equation of a successful

life" to heart. Further, quoting "the Most Wise One," she said, "When wisdom enters

your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; and understanding will keep you."

Finally, Cravens reminded her classmates to "work hard, and don't forget to have a good time."

Valedictorian Watson spoke of her struggle with perfectionism and how she relies on her mother's wisdom that "all you can do is the best you can do."

"We must accept and delight in our accomplishments and always give every one of life's challenges all that we can," Watson said. "In doing this, we can even improve our best effort, every time it is given."

Class of 2007 Vice President James Cade urged graduates to remember where they came from.

Class Vice President James Cade's inspirational speech addressed both his graduating classmates and the staff of the high school. He began by telling the staff, "Thank you, thank you, thank you! ... Without your guidance, wisdom, and dedication to learning we would not be able to call ourselves graduates of this fine school."

He reminded his classmates that graduation is only the beginning and urged them to remember three things: where you came from; to stay true to your heart; and to strive for excellence.

"It was little old Washington, Georgia, and the people in it that helped you start your great journey," he began. "It is ultimately you who have to live your life ... when you become that doctor, lawyer, or even household mama; be the best at it you can be. By doing such," Cade continued, "you build character, and character defines you as an individual."

After the addresses, Principal Andrew Jackson made parting comments as he is preparing to retire after 34 years of being an educator. He presented diplomas to each of the marching seniors as their names were announced.

Superintendent of Schools Joyce Williams certified the Class of 2007, and Jackson presented the graduates to family and friends, who soon swarmed Tiger field to seek out and hug their special graduates.

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