Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon High School graduates 61 in Class of 2005

What was called by Salutatorian Kolby Harper, "a family and class of 61 friends," received Gurdon High School diplomas on Friday night, May 13, at the football stadium.

After the invocation by graduating senior Blair Griffin, the Class of 2005 was addressed by recently inducted Hall of Fame member Henry Bell Jr., whose family was the namesake for Gurdon's Bell High School.

Bell told the graduating seniors, and crowd of more than 1,500 in the bleachers, "I listened to my credentials being uttered in my introduction, but must say being inducted into the Gurdon Academic Hall of Fame is my most cherished office."

Bell served as a teacher for Gurdon High School 15 years, and was also an interim superintendent.

He retired from the Department of Education in July of 1987. He holds a masters degree from what is now Henderson State University.

To the graduating Gurdon High School Class of 2005, and its crowd of well wishers, Bell said, "My dad was no intellectual guru, but he had great wisdom. He told me, son, you will never be more than who you are.

"You were born with a body, mind and spirit. I gave you a name, Henry I. Bell Jr.

"My dad told me for every action I do there is a consequence. He talked of principals, past and present.

"Education, knowledge and skills are more powerful than money itself. Contrary to what you may believe, no one, absolutely no one can educate you but you. Others can only provide you with opportunities.

"Remember, from the beautiful woodlands of Gurdon, you can be anything you want to be or go where ever you want to go. But in this life, it is a struggle and the fittest will survive.

"The wise and the cunning outdo the ignoramus."

Band drum major and graduating senior Hayli Coon was among senior speeches given to add to the words of Bell.

Coon concentrated on the "journey" she and her classmates made from kindergarten to seniors in high school, talking of the differing priorities and fears as time marched on.

Coon said, "We started out with our biggest worry being whether there was a star on our sucker wrappers.

"Then our class got a little older and the girls traded in their giant hairbows and got perms.

"As time continued, we noticed letters in our math. We just got comfortable as the top class and moved from Cabe Middle School to being lowly freshman at the high school.

"We were told to avoid a teacher named Ms. Beck, as long as we were freshmen. We flat-ironed our hair straight.

"We had made it from kindergarten teachers encouraging us to take naps to high school teachers trying to keep us awake.

"And we hate to break the rules, but as long as Ms. Beals gives tests, there will be prayers going up at Gurdon High School.

"Time has flown. Goodbye. It is OK to cry. To this Class of 61 friends, I pray that God be with you. I love each one of you."

Graduating senior Lezlee White gave a speech called "Changes."

She asked the class if they were afraid of change?

"All of us are," she said. "But we have all made it to this point today. Get a few scrapes on your knees.

"It does not matter what they say. Just be yourself."

Amy Stiffler, valedictorian, topped off the speeches with one on "Remember."

She said, "Remember who you are. If the people can not appreciate who you are, they are not worth your time in the first place.

"I consider myself privileged over the past 13 years to have spent them with you. Remember, there will always be someone who believes in you, me."

Graduating seniors Britta Halliday and Jordan Purifoy made a presentation of a gift from the senior class.

To the juniors, they left $250, plus an awning for the sidewalk next to the Cabe Student Center.

Leonard Gills, high school principal, introduced members of the School Board, and presented the faculty  before the awarding of the diplomas.

In presenting the faculty, Gills said, "You should appreciate these folks. They accepted work late, bent over rules and did a lot of compromising with you to get you to this point of graduation.

"After all, we want to get with the current president's theory of no child left behind. The teachers and you students have met the challenge."

After the diplomas were accepted and the tear-stained faces were once again standing next to one another, Gills said, "Throw your hats, turn your tassels. You are now GHS graduates."

Graduating senior Sydney Foshee gave the benediction prayer, asking God to watch over the Class of 2005.