Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

GHS seniors wish to be remembered

Emotions were strong Friday, May 17, during the graduation ceremony for the class of 2002.

As the graduates walked into the gym, smiling faces and tears had turned to somber looks.

Gurdon High School's Marching band, led by Allen Wimberly and Bruce Burson, played "Pomp and Circumstance".

Ushers, Lavonda Buford, Sharonda Bell, John Watson and Justin Mallet, escorted the seniors to their seats.

Gurdon High School Principal, Leonard Gills, then asked the crowd to stand for the National Anthem. Senior Brent Overbey then led everyone in the invocation in which he asked God, "to please be with the class of 2002 in everything they strive to do from this point on."

Junior Class President, Lacy Jester and Junior Class Secretary, Cevin Laster, presented the senior class with flowers. Senior Class Reporter, Stephanie Kilts and Senior Class Secretary, Alesia Marshall, accepted them.

Gills introduced Winfred L. Thompson as one of the latest to be inducted into the Academic Hall of Fame. Thompson said he was honored to be accepting such an honor and hoped that the Class of 2002 would leave GHS with dreams they plan to fulfill.

William G. "Bill" Wright was also inducted to the Hall of Fame. Wright is known for being senior partner at the Wright Law Firm in Arkadelphia. However, Wright recently took the position of President at Elk Horn Bank and Trust Company in Arkadelphia.

Wright said he had many fond memories of his days at Gurdon. "Being here tonight, I reflect on my friends, family and cousins who have all attended school here and the things learned," said Wright.

Wright reminded seniors of the power they hold within themselves to accomplish all they desire.

Whitney Smith spoke to her classmates and guests about the importance of "Always Attempt". Smith said, "You never know what you are capable of until you attempt. Without trying you will never know what can be."

Jamie Warren sang a song by Jon Bon Jovi, "Thank You for Loving Me". The song's meaning represented the encouragement offered by love and understanding.

Salutatorian Lyndi Escalante reminisced of the days spent with her classmates over the past 13 years and reminded them of their class moto, "It is better to have known you for a moment than to never have known you at all."

Escalante expressed the meaning of the statement to her class. "You always here grown up say, Some of the people you are graduating with, you will never see again.'" Escalante said, "This statement is true and I hope that even if we do not see one another again that we will always have our memories and share what we learned from each other."

Valedictorian Bradley Weems' speech was "Use Your Past".

Weems said you can learn from your past and use it in the future. He also quoted the late Jim Morisson of the "Doors".

The Top 10, consisting of Whitney Smith, Rayanne Ross, Adrian Gamble, Wes Boyce, Brent Overbey, Lyndi Escalante, Jamie Warren, Stephanie Kilts, Bradley Weems and Carrie Gibson all stood to tell their classmates the "Top 10 Things to Remember".

These were humorous ideas of things the underclassmen should know before entering certain teacher's classrooms.

Rayanne Ross then sang, "Please Remember", a song by Leann Rhimes, which brought some of her classmates to tears as they listened to the words.

As Gills presented the Senior Class of 2002, several graduates stood with excitement and hugged their friends. Jesse Runyan, school board president, then presented them with their diplomas.

Carrie Gibson led her class in the Benediction which was followed by the Alma Mater and the recessional "Freedom's Heritage" played by the GHS band.