BY TRACY LEE TATE
Times Editor
LAKE BUTLER — Despite an early lack of cooperation from Mother Nature, the 2022 Union County High School Graduation was held May 20 and was enjoyed by all.
The ceremony, which was supposed to begin at 7 p.m. was delayed by rain. When the scheduled time came and went, with little sign that the rain was letting up, Union County Superintendent of Schools Mike Ripplinger decided that they would wait until 8:30 p.m. to begin, depending on the weather. Although there was a back-up plan to hold the ceremony in the UCHS gym, the graduating seniors had their hearts set on making their walk on the football field and they greeted Ripplingers decision with a loud cheer.
When the time arrived the rain had stopped but the field was a little soggy. No one seemed to care and the ceremony was held as planned.
The UCHS Symphonic Band, led by Director Kelly Dorsey, played the processional as the soon-to-be graduated walked to their seats on the field. The opening prayer was offered by Senior Class Treasurer and Valedictorian Maegan Grace Beatty, with Senior Class Secretary Dezmond Yatil Edwards following to lead the Pledge to the Flag. Senior Class President Sierra Rose Garland then welcomed the graduates, their families and guests to the event. She spoke about the importance of the support all had received from their families and school staff in allowing them all to make it to this important landmark in their lives and thanked all those who had been there.
UCHS Principal Julie Denson took the podium to recognize the honor students among the graduates. First listed were those graduating with Outstanding Honors, with a 4.0 grade point average or higher. Also recognized in this group were those who were being recognized for graduating with the Associate of Arts degrees from Florida Gateway College in the dual enrollment program (marked with a *). Receiving recognition and wearing their purple honor cords were:
Maegan Grace Beatty, Ciarra Dawn Woodall, Laura Ann Park*, Curran Daniel Webb, Natalie Jean Waters*, Andrew Joseph Laux, Aidan Pearce Newsom, Jean Alexander Dure’, McKenzie Nicole Clemons, Gwenyth Whitney Parrish, Anna Jeanette Ward, William Aaron Harden*, Josie Elizabeth Croft, Kimberly Rose Palmer, Lauren Elizabeth Coleman, Landon Hunter Klein, Jackson Scott Crook*, Kyra Brook Jordan, Alaurie Nachelle McClellon, Devin Lee Simmons, James Wylard Rogers, Tahj Amaree Merriex and Summer Breann Bridges.
Next to be recognized were the graduates with High Honors, with a grade point average of 3.75-3.99, wearing their gold honors cords. They were:
Christopher Jackson Alvarez, Lilyanne Keirstyn French, Eli Langford Hendricks, Sabrena Danielle Howard, Victoria Ora Lee Polbos, Gracie Leann Kitchens, Alauna Kierstyn Brown, Avery Keith Murphy, Megan Kaleigh Parrish, Kyla Jai Boney and Krysta Pierce Wheeler.
The final group of honors graduates to be recognized were those who had earned the status of Honors Student, with a 3.5-3.749 grade point average and wearing their white honor cords. They were:
Simeon Lavarr McLeod, Logan Mitchell Richards, Hunter James Sherrod, Makayla Renee McKenzie, Reghan Therese-Lynn Dukes, Camrin Samuel Hillard, Cheyann Paige Leshuk, Ariana Violet Watts, Sierra Rose Garland, Jakeb William O’Steen, Akira Brianna Jonas, Jaydn Arianah Starling and Hannah Rose Warren.
Denson then recognized one final group from among the graduating class – those who had already committed to serve in the military after graduation.
“These young men and women will follow in the footsteps many in our audience have taken and will soon join their brothers and sisters in arms as members of the United States Military. These graduates were:
William Lorenzo Alicea (Air Force), Alauna Kierstyn Brown (Army National Guard), Joseph Kleyten Kirby (Marine Corps), Zeb Daniel Raulerson (Army), Violet Dawn Romero (Army National Guard), Hunter James Sherrod (Air National Guard) and Krysta Pierce Wheeler (Army Reserve).
Next to speak was UCHS 2022 Salutatorian Ciara Dawn Woodall, who spoke about how her school years, beginning in kindergarten and then 12 year in school had seemed to take forever and fly by quickly at the same time. Woodall was follows by UCHS 2022 Valedictorian Maegan Grace Beatty who talked about the importance in life of expressing gratitude and not letting yourself be limited by your fears.
Senior Class Vice President Josie Elizabeth Croft then took the podium to lead the assembly in the singing of the Alma Mater.
Ripplinger, Denson and UCHS Zeke Scaff came to the fore to hand out diplomas, handshakes and the occasional hug as the graduate were called to walk across the stage. Each was called by Cody Tempest. Most of the graduates were quiet and solemn as they took their walk, but Trevor Nathaniel Holtzendorf paused to raise a thumbs up to the crowd in the grandstands and yell “I did it Mama!” In total, the Class of 2022 was totaled 133 graduates.
Ripplinger then spoke to the newly minted graduates, offering words of encouragement and advice for the future. The graduates then rose and took walked the Unite Circle, gathering together at the end to throw their caps and congratulate one another.
The Class Flower was the lavender rose, the Class Song was “Good Ole Days” by Macklemore featuring Kesha and the Class Motto was “We’ll all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other,” by Tim McGraw.
Senior Class Sponsors were Lindley Adkins, Bonnie Honour, Michael Howell, Anna Kirby, Liliana Perez, Ronny Pruitt, Wesley Smith, Debe Stephenson, Cody Tempest, Andrew Thomas, Jessica Wolfe and Elise Worthington.
Ushers were: Ian Brannen, Colby Dukes, Ayden Elixson and Demarius Williams. Usherettes were: Leah Clark, Jaycee Davis, Karly Ann Raulerson and Karly Shatto.
