35 to graduate Friday night
By Sandy Morris
Thirty-five Albany High School seniors will march into the AHS gymnasium Friday night, May 28, walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, stand to sing the Alma Mater together as a class one last time, and then step into the future.
Commencement exercises are set to begin at 7:00 p.m. in the gym, with a reception afterwards at the Whitney Theatre.
Friday night’s traditional ceremony will begin with the senior class processional.
The National Anthem will be played and will be followed by an invocation by class president Hannah Trail.
Secondary principal Glen Hill will introduce class salutatorian Sidney Bartee and valedictorian Trail, who will deliver their addresses.
Counselor Jenny Scott will then recognize other honor students and present scholarships followed by the presentation of the graduates by Hill.
Superintendent Jonathan Scott will confirm the diplomas, which will be presented by Hill, Jenny Scott, and AISD board of trustees vice president Kelly Head.
Class vice president Tana Thompson will lead the benediction and the senior class will sing the Alma Mater before exiting the gymnasium.
Scholarship Program
Organizations and foundations are giving well over 100 scholarships that will be announced during the commencement exercises.
This year, at least $120,800 in scholarship funding will be presented to members of the graduating class during the Friday night ceremony.
Honor Students
Hannah Trail, daughter of Tamara Trail and Justin Trail, has been named as valedictorian for the Class of 2021.
Sidney Bartee is salutatorian. She is the daughter of Traci and Stephen Bartee.
Honor students for the Class of 2021 are Tana Thompson, Morgan Garcia, Elia Hebel, Paige Picquet, Jackson Chapman, and Alli Hill.
Class Facts
The seniors have chosen red and white as the class colors and the Venus Fly Trap as the class flower.
The motto for the graduates is It Is What It Is, and the class song is “The Nights,” by Avicii.
In addition to Trail as class president and Thompson as vice president, elected officers include Blanton Belcher – secretary, Carli Edgar – reporter, Landree Connally – treasurer, and Torie Fuentes – parlimentarian.
Junior ushers selected for the evening are Luke Ivy and Ana Balliew – head ushers, along with Cooper Fairchild, Kam Browning, Brooks Neece, and Ansleigh Garcia.
Class sponsors are Kevin Hill, Michaela Bradford, Dakota Fowler, and M.J. Reneau.
The reception following graduation at the Whitney Theatre is hosted by the junior ushers and usherettes, as is tradition, with the help of their parents.
After the reception, the new graduates will check in at the Feed Store by 10:30 p.m. for Project Graduation which will end around 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning.
