“You don’t have to know all the steps you’re going to take in your life, just the next step.”
That was part of the wisdom imparted by commencement speaker Rev. Ken Ansell during the first graduation in the new Tiger Stadium Friday evening.
Rev. Ansell is a 1982 RHS graduate and peppered his speech with references to teachers and coaches of that era, including Fred Johnson, Billy Joe Hall and Mark Brady.
And especially math teacher Deborah Dean.
“If she hadn’t helped me, I would probably be sitting there with you tonight as your classmate,” he told the students.
SPEECHES—The commencement ceremony also included speeches by Class of 2019 valedictorian Reyna Gonzales and salutatorian Stephani Pantaleon.
Opening was by Gonzales who is senior class vice-president.
Jaycie Tannehill, senior class treasurer, gave a reading and Jackson Perry, senior class president, welcomed the crowd of 1,500.
Brady Nelson III, senior class secretary, introduced the speaker.
Closing was by salutatorian Pantaleon.
HONORS—RHS Principal Tiffany Commerford Whitsel recognized students with averages of 90 and above.
She also presented the class of 2017 and certified they had completed all requirements for graduation.
The class was accepted by Supt. Dr. Denise Monzingo.
Diplomas were awarded by Troy Zinn, school board president.
The traditional processional and recessional, “Pomp and Circumstance” and “Exodus” were performed by the RHS Big Blue Band under the direction of Adrian Acevedo.
Also featured were “Hail to the Varsity,” the Rockdale High School Song, and the Class of 2019 song “Don’t Blink.”
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