The new Tiger Stadium will host its first Rockdale High School graduation ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Former Rockdale pastor Rev. Ken Ansell will deliver the graduation address for RHS’s 102-candidate Class of 2019.
At midweek it appears the persistent stormy weather of the past few weeks will cease and allow the ceremony to take place outdoors. Forecasts show close to zero percent chance of precipitation for Friday
But if it’s storming, or threatening, the ceremony will go inside the RHS. That’s where it took place last year for a different reason. The new football field project was in its very early stages and the old one was being razed.
SPEAKER—Rev. Ansell is a former pastor of Rockdale Full Gospel Church and was president of the Rockdale Ministerial Alliance.
He is a 1982 Rockdale High School graduate, and is married to Jennifer Maynard Ansell who is a 1983 RHS graduate. His youngest daughter Klaire, was a member of the RHS Class of 2016.
After a successful business career in litigation document reproduction that allowed him to live in places like San Francisco, Dallas, St. Louis & Denver, Rev. Ansell said he went into the ministry and served churches in Hereford, Waxahachie and Rockdale,
Currently he serves as senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Linden.
The Ansells have four children, counting Klaire, and five grandchildren.
Rev. Ansell still writes a weekly column for The Reporter’s Faith page.
“I run, play golf, tennis, fly fish and bleed blue and gold,” he said.
PROGRAM—Speeches by valedictorian Reyna Gonzales and salutatorian Stephani Pantaleon will also highlight Friday’s program.
The traditional processional “Pomp and Circumstance” and recessional “Exodus” will be performed by the RHS Big Blue Band under the direction of Adrian Acevedo.
Gonzales, who is also senior class vice-president, will officiate at the ceremony’s opening.
Reading will be by Jaycie Tannehill, senior class treasurer, and the welcome will be given by Jackson Perry, class president.
Brady Nelson III, class secretary, will introduce Rev. Ansell.
Principal Tiffany Commerford Whitsel will recognize students who completed their RHS academic careers with averages of 90 and above.
Whitsel will present the Class of 2019 for graduation and Supt. Dr. Denise Monzingo will accept the group.
Diplomas will be handed out by Troy Zinn, president of the Rockdale ISD Board of Trustees.
Pantaleon will officiate at the closing which will include “Hail to the Varsity,” the RHS school song, and “I’ll Always Remember You,” the Class of 2019 song.
Programs will be handed out by Jasmine Acosta, Emily Depine, Sabrina Pantaleon and Arbranae Sessoms. Koye Bleeker, Ethan Hughes, Cole Rickman and Devon Whitsel will serve as ushers.
BACCALAUREATE—A number of seniors attended the annual Baccalaureate Service on Sunday at Meadowbrook Baptist Church.
Sermon was delivered by Minister Jason Hollinger of Murray Street Church of Christ. Rev. Steve Ammons of Meadowbrook Baptist Church gave the welcome and the prayer and blessing was by Rev. John Seaton of St. John’s United Methodist Church.
Seniors taking part in the service included: Felix Barnes, prayer; Chris Tenner, music; Tasha San Migel, Claire Jenkins, Lyndsey Kolar, scripture; Courtney Eoff, testimony.
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