CRESTVIEW — For the first time in Crestview High School’s history, 100 percent of seniors walked at graduation; all 449 students walked the stage and received their diplomas. 

Thousands of people packed the bleachers and track at Jack Foster Stadium for the event. The school crest was presented by Hannah Kelsey, and the colors were posted by Crestview’s JROTC cadets. The Pledge ofAllegiance was said by Cameron Wakeland, with the National Anthem sung by senior members of the chorus. 

Brenden Mears began the ceremony with opening remarks, and Jessiane Fortune welcomed students, faculty and guests, and introduced members of the school board. 

Marcus Chambers, assistant superintendent of curriculum; Steve Horton, assistant superintendent of management information services; Nick Kootsouradis, assistant superintendent of operations; Stacie Smith, assistant superintendent of human resources; and school board members Tim Bryant, Dewey Destin, Melissa Thrush, Rodney Walker and Lamar White were among those who attended the event. 

Jacob Cyrus made a graduation address before Dexter Day, Crestview’s principal, spoke to the students. 

“As the principal of Crestview High School, it is my honor to congratulate the Class of 2017,” Day said. “I would like to say how proud I am of you all for your accomplishments throughout your years here at CHS. This is a time to smile and celebrate. 

“As you leave school and move forward in life, I urge you to pursue your dreams. Lou Holtz once said, ‘Ability is what you are capable of doing, motivation determines what you do, and attitude determines how well you do it.’ 

“With the proper attitude, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Remember the lessons learned, the people who helped you achieve each milestone and the preparations they helped you make for the next step of your life. 

“I am proud of each of you and I wish you all happiness, success and the best that life has to offer.” 

The graduating class received over $6 million in scholarships. 

Diplomas were presented by Day; assistant principals Holly Tew, Thomas Harvell and Ella Shaw; and Jody Dunn, master of ceremonies. 

Sean Gabany said closing remarks, and the alma mater was recited by Ethan Mitchell. 

According to Holy Tew, assistant principal, a ratio of about three to one are attending college, about 50  have joined the military and three have joined ROTC programs at their chosen college with plans to join the military after school as officers. 

The class color is matte black, the class flower is a sunflower, the class song is “I’ll Always Remember You” by Hannah Montana, and the class motto is: “And so the adventure begins…”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'A time to smile and celebrate'

BAKER — Cars lined every street within a mile radius of Baker School, filled with people who came to celebrate the graduating class of 2017. 

Jennifer Stewart, an assistant principal, welcomed guests; Baker ROTC presented the colors; and Christopher Roller said the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Honors students Tressie Adams, Taylor Brunson and Logan Rickman gave a welcoming address to fellow graduates and guests. 

Jodie Welch, the top student in the class, addressed the graduates, challenging them to make an impact on someone’s life just as parents, teachers and mentors have made on theirs. 

Honors students Alexandra Hayden, Bianca Peters and Mikaela Sites gave closing remarks. 

Diplomas were presented by Michael Martello, principal; Mary Beth Jackson, superintendent; Stacie Smith, assistant superintendent of human resources; Jennifer Stewart, assistant principal; Victoria Hurley, assistant principal; and Beth Geoghagen, senior guidance counselor. 

Baker School has 115 seniors in the graduating class of 2017, with the most honor students and scholarships they have ever seen — 31 honors students and more than $690,000 in scholarships. 

The class colors are maroon and gold, the class flower is a sunflower, the class song is “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the class motto is: “In our hands we hold today, in our dreams we hold tomorrow, in our hearts we hold forever.” 

Most students are planning on attending college, but at least 10 are joining the military following graduation. 

“The class of 2017 represents what it means to be a Baker Gator,” Martello said. “They have excelled in academics, as well as the athletics. They have set the bar high and have led by their example for those who follow. 

“It makes me proud to call the class of 2017, Baker Gators.” 

"In our hands we hold today, in our dreams we hold tomorrow, in our hearts we hold forever"

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker's Class of 2017 sets school record in scholarships

LAUREL HILL — The Laurel Hill School gymnasium was full of family and friends who came to support the 26 students in the graduating class of 2017. 

As the students proceeded into the gymnasium, each laid a white rose in front of a memorial set up for Austin Bryan Sutton-Rogers, a classmate who died in 2014. 

Kaylee L’Homme and Dakota Bly said the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a welcome from Olivia Stewart and Tykeal “TJ” White. 

The Summa Cum Laude addresses were said by Lauren Mitchell, Bailey Stokes, Rebecca Welsh and Rachel Welsh. 

Lee Martello, Laurel Hill’s principal, took the podium to address the seniors and began crying several times. She quoted many lyrics of songs students were familiar with to help explain her feelings toward the students. 

The class was then presented by the assistant principal, Jacqueline Craig. The students lined up to receive their diplomas, hand shakes from school board members and a hug from Debra Adams, the senior sponsor and teacher at Laurel Hill School. 

A slideshow was presented with pictures of the class of 2017. Closing remarks were said by Kira Triplett and Jax Schlinger. 

Marcus Chambers, assistant superintendent of curriculum; Steve Horton, assistant superintendent of management information services; Nick Kootsouradis, assistant superintendent of schools operations; and Stacie Smith, assistant superintendent of human resources attended the ceremony. 

The class colors are baby blue and gold; the class flower is a white rose; the class song is “Fast” by Luke Bryan; and the class motto is: “Keep moving forward,” said by Walt Disney. 

According to the school, at least one student is joining the military after graduation and at least five are going to college.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill graduates plan to 'keep moving forward'

CRESTVIEW— Richbourg School held their seventh annual graduation on May 19 in the gymnasium of neighboring Northwood Elementary, where five exceptional students received their high school diplomas.

Among those who attended the ceremony were Superintendent of Okaloosa County Schools Mary Beth Jackson, Director of Exceptional Student Education Melody Sommer and school board member Tim Bryant; Bryant was the guest speaker at the event.

The ceremony began with the Pledge of Allegiance, said by Katie Scott, and the "Star Spangled Banner" interpreted by Shyanne Stuckey in sign language. Jo Grice, a transitional specialist for the school board welcomed the guests to the ceremony.

"This is something we do because we love your kids," Grice said. "I would also like to thank the parents for trusting us with your kids and supporting Richbourg School through the years. Today is a great day for our graduating seniors who are ready to start the next chapter of their lives."

Bryant spoke to the audience, representing the Okaloosa County School Board the community of Crestview as a whole.

"It is truly awe-inspiring to see these students here today," Bryant said. "There are two words that…describe these students, and that is courage and innocence. What makes these students inspiring is their courage and their innocence; they don't let anything get in their way, they don't let anyone tell them they can't do something."

After the conclusion of his speech, Bryant presented each student their diploma, shook their hand and posed for a photo. 

With tassels turned, the 2017 graduating class smiled, cheered and prepared for the next step in their lives. Guests were invited for cake and refreshments following the ceremony. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Students' 'courage and innocence' inspire

LAUREL HILL — After a few quick wardrobe adjustments—Becca Stewart's mortarboard slithered off and Dakota Steel's smart yellow bow tie needed a minor straightening—the Class of 2016 was ready to graduate.

"I'm ready to walk!" Jaccob Bell called out as he and his classmates cued up outside senior sponsor Debra Adams's classroom for the procession over to the gymnasium.

PHOTOS: View photos from Laurel Hill School's graduation>>

"It's fun seeing them grow out of their shells," Adams said. "That's the advantage of this school. You see them grow up from shy little things and now they're ready to take on the world."

Many of the 30 graduates had been together at Laurel Hill School, one of Okaloosa County's two kindergarten-through-12th-grade schools, since elementary school.

"It's a small school but it's fun to be around," Samuel Slaughter said. "The friends you meet here are great. Some of them are crazy but they're all fun to be around."

Like some of his classmates, Samuel had his immediate future mapped out. Tuesday he goes through orientation for Northwest Florida State College's welding program.

Dakota is also Northwest Florida State-bound. He plans to sample general coursework before settling on a major, which could possibly be marine biology.

During student remarks, Bree Hammac advised her classmates, "Always keep Jesus in front of you, and know you can always lean on him."

"And always remember, life is better when you have a soul mate and not a cell mate," Becca added.

Seemingly in the twinkling of an eye, diplomas were received, mortarboards flew in the air and confetti poppers burst as another class passed into the annals of one of the county's oldest schools.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill School graduates class of 2016 (PHOTOS, VIDEO)