BY TRACY LEE TATE
Times Editor
LAKE BUTLER — On May 23, 23 of the total of 29 graduates of the Union County Adult High School made the trip across the stage to receive their high school diplomas from Union County Superintendent of Schools Mike Ripplinger, Coordinator of Adult Education Eugene Dukes and guest speaker Congresswoman Kat Commack (3rd Congressional District of Florida).
The ceremony was much like a routine high school graduation, with graduates walking the aisle down to their seats in the Union County High School auditorium, wearing traditional caps and gowns. All were welcomed by Dukes and Ripplinger.
Mention was made of the members of the Union County School Board, with Allen Parrish and Becky Raulerson representing that body on the stage, and the faulty of the Adult High School: Lee Clarke, Maria Kish, Melisa McLeod, Chris Mecusker, Lori Howard, Mark Harrison, Curtis Mesnard and Elise Worthington. Also recognized was the recent inductees into Florida Hall of Fame in Adult Education, including Dukes and several of the faculty of the Adult High School.
Guest Speaker Kat Cammack took the podium to deliver and address that was both congratulatory and personal. She shared many details of her life, including some very hard times, with both detail and humor. She shared the fact that she was the first person in her family to go to, and graduate from college.
“Success is based on doing the inconvenient thing,” Cammack told the graduates and the approx. 400 family members and well-wishers assembled to celebrate them. “The time and work you have put in, seeing the need for what you are doing but trying to make room for it in your life, is the inconvenient thing and this is what you have done by earning your diplomas. I congratulate you all on your achievement.”
After the presentation of diplomas, Ripplinger gave the closing remarks, telling the graduates how proud he was that they had taken the initiative and earning their diplomas. He concluded his remarks with the classic permission that, “you may now turn your tassels.”
A reception was held for the graduates and their families in the cafeteria after the ceremony, with refreshments served.
Union County residents who earned their high school diplomas in 2022 were:
Ashley Barnes
Johnny Benefield
Justin Brown
Malachi Davis
Hayden Erwin
Carol Freeman
Patrick Graham
Adrian Henderson
Trinity Hines
Amy Hunter
Kasen Junior
Andrew Lewis
Liberty Nice
Camriell Nichols
Gavin Padgett
Bailey Parrish
Alexa Patton-Vega
Kayla Pellechio
Christian Raish
Collin Reddish
Joseph Sandridge
Falina Sefcik
Nicholas Stitt
Tyler Thomas
Tysen Van Sise
Starla Vaughn
Travis Warren
Jonathan Watson
Daren Zamuda
