By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Under a vibrantly blue summertime sky the family, friends and district personnel gathered in the gymnasium of Barren County High School as the 266 expectant graduates donned their burgundy and gold robes to culminate their decade and two years of academic success by receiving their diplomas.
Anxious joy seemed to grip the burgundy-robed assembly as they walked into the bright lights of the school’s gymnasium as the traditional Pomp and Circumstance accompanied their procession.
Other than the graduates’ families and friends, the five members of the Barren County Board of Education, district Superintendent Bo Matthews and various school principals and employees watched from the raised platform at the front of the room. High school Principal Amy Irwin served as the master of ceremonies for the hour-and-a-half ceremony.
Before turning over the podium to Katherine London, who was voted to deliver the class address, Irwin recognized several subgroups among them being those who opted to join the Armed Service after graduation. One of those students who stood was Hunter Johnson who, in addition to being college and career ready, starts the countdown to his entrance into boot camp for the U.S. Marine Corps.
“Growing up my parents were never really in the picture…and so the first person in my life that never did any drugs, or abuse or anything was a Marine [and] I told myself I was going to be like him one day,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he is excited for graduation as he has been waiting for this “since fifth grade” and is hopeful the friends he has made in high school will remain in his life despite the diverging paths.
Irwin also asked those to stand who bore the burgundy and gold cords that reflected the wearer’s college and career readiness.
Chesney McPherson, who started her academic career at Temple Hill Elementary, said she plans to attend the University of Kentucky for human health science with an emphasis on the pre-med track. She has also signed with the UK track and field program. Representing the career side of college career readiness is Tuck Norman who is going into automotive and is currently working at Gillie Hyde Ford.
Despite their diverging life paths both agreed it was the classes offered at Barren County schools that cemented their next steps.
“I think it’s going to be an amazing experience,” McPherson said. “This isn’t a goodbye but a see you later and this is such a momentous occasion. My classmates and I have been through school for 12 years together.”
After London spoke, Irwin revealed, to the surprise of the graduates, the salutatorian — the student who ranked second in their graduating class — and, for the first time according to Irwin, co-valedictorians. The salutatorian was Katelyn Huffaker and the co-valedictorians were Mia Long and John Edberg, who, like his twin brother, Alan, is going into the Navy — in fact, John is going to the Naval Academy in June.
Huffaker, Long, Edberg and the 26 students who maintained a 4.0 GPA came on stage to receive a small gift from the school as the audience applauded.
In a “bittersweet” moment Matthews stepped up to the podium to confer the diplomas for his last time as the district’s chief executive.
“I consider it a life blessing to have served as superintendent for many of you from preschool to twelfth grade,” Matthews said. “On behalf of the members of the Barren County Board of Education and through the authority given to me by the Kentucky Department of Education I now declare you graduates upon receipt of your diploma. May God bless the class of 2024.”
As is to be expected with a graduation ceremony the majority of the time was dedicated to calling out the graduates names, which was done by high school teacher Todd Steenbergen. After all 266 names were called, applause erupted in the gymnasium.
Senior Class President Mollie Webb led the graduates in the turning of class rings and flipping of the tassels and Vice President Lillie Short delivered closing remarks before the new graduates threw their caps and proceeded out.
“This is truly a beginning and not an ending,” Short said. “It is my hope that each and everyone of us finds our true calling in life and that we are successful in any goals we set for ourselves.”
While family and friends waited eagerly in the stands of the gymnasium, the Barren County High School seniors assembled to don their cap and gowns and to make light-hearted conversations with friends. The seniors gathered in virtually every room in the “main school building” including the library, numerous classrooms and the cafeteria. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
The school choir sang the national anthem while members of the schools JROTC presented the Kentucky and United States flags. After the performance the senior class officers lead the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
Barren County teacher Todd Steenbergen called out the names as soon-to-be-graduates lined each side of the gymnasium. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
After 12 years in school 266 Barren County High School seniors, garbed in burgundy and gold robes, filled the gymnasium as each waited to receive their diploma. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
Barren County Principal Amy Irwin served as the master of ceremonies at the graduation and handed each of the students their burgundy diploma case. As each student walked across the stage to shake Irwin’s hand and pose for photos Irwin could be seen mouthing “congratulations” or another personalized congratulatory expression. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
Lead by Alumna CheyAnne Fant the Barren County graduates waved their gold towels after turning their class rings and tassels. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
At the conclusion of the ceremony the 266 graduates filed out of the gymnasium to go back to their respective homeroom classes to be with their fellow graduate and to receive their actual diplomas before dispersing to their individual families. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
After 12 years in school 266 Barren County High School seniors, garbed in burgundy and gold, filled the gymnasium as each waited to receive their diploma. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
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