MHHS Class of 2013 to graduate this Friday

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Mountain Home High School's graduating class will cross the stage Friday evening to receive their diplomas as it starts its journey into the real world.

Graduation ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Tiger Field to recognize the 196 students representing the Class of 2013.

According to Principal Jeff Johnson, the Class of 2013 will honor six of its students for earning valedictorian status. The distinction goes to students who graduate with perfect 4.0 grade point averages through all four years of high school.

The valedictorians this year are Rachel Goodman, Justin Johnson, Steven Kreyche, Brandon Sams, Ashley Sessions, Alexandra Staats. Five of these students are scheduled to provide brief remarks at the commencement ceremony.

In addition, Senior Class President Mike Parkinson will provide the introductory remarks for the class. Music during the ceremony will feature the Mountain Home High School band and choir.

Looking to further their education, this year's graduates have already earned more than $134,000 in scholarships for further education from local organizations and businesses. This figure doesn't include additional grants and scholarships these students received from other sources throughout the state and across the United States.

The Class of 2013 selected black as its class color. Together with orange, they represent the school's two official colors.

Meanwhile, the graduates selected a quote from author Lemony Snickett as their motto, which reads, "If we all wait until we're ready, we will be waiting for the rest of our lives." The students then selected "It's Time" by the group Imagine Dragons as their class song.

In the event of inclement weather, the event may move to the high school gymnasium. A final decision won't be made until mid-day Friday (watch the Mountain Home News website at www.mountainhomenews.com) for any changes.

As of press time, the National Weather Service was forecasting fair skies and cooler temperatures the evening of graduation.

Johnson hopes the graduation doesn't move indoors since the school would need to turn away hundreds of people due to limited seating. Students are allowed just six guests if the ceremonies moved to the gymnasium.

Following the ceremonies, a large number of the graduates and their guests are expected to attend the annual Senior Celebration, which will run from Friday evening to Saturday morning. The celebration is an all-night chaperoned alcohol- and drug-free event put together by parents of the graduating seniors.

The cost is $25 per senior or $50 for guests. Graduates are allowed to bring one guest to the celebration, but these individuals can't be more than 19 years old or out of high school for more than one year. The last chance to obtain tickets for the event is Thursday, May 23, during senior checkout.

Student check-in for those attending the celebration will begin at 9:30 p.m. Friday at the high school with buses departing at 10 p.m. for Wahooz Family Fun Zone in Meridian. All seniors and guests must ride the bus to and from the senior celebration event.

They are only allowed to leave the event by taking the bus back to Mountain Home.

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