MCHS to graduate 140 seniors

By Jane DeGeorge
Eagle Reporter
Published: June 5, 2008

It’s a mix of bittersweet emotion in the halls of Madison County High School as seniors prepare to don their caps and gowns. 
The 2008 high school graduation ceremony – which is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7 in the Wetsel Middle School gym – will honor approximately 140 graduating seniors, according to MCHS Principal Mike Sisler. 

High school seniors spent last week studying for final exams and signing each other’s yearbooks while recalling their favorite school time memories.
Even after she heads to James Madison University in Harrisonburg this fall, Madison senior Ashley Dodson will always remember bus rides back from soccer games and cross country meets spent chatting and joking with her fellow team mates.

“It’s kind of bittersweet,” Ashley said of her senior year coming to a close. “I’m excited that it’s over but sad that these are the last moments with my best friends.”

Other graduating students, like Jonathan Cordova, are ready to move on to the next stage in their lives.

“I’m really anxious [to graduate]. I’m tired of Madison, I just want to go out and experience college life,” Jonathan told The Eagle, admitting that he is a little nervous to be on his own when he heads to Liberty University in Lynchburg later this year.

The June 7 graduation ceremony will include speeches presented by the senior class valedictorian and salutatorian, Principal Mike Sisler, Madison County School Board Chairman Jeff Early and Superintendent Brenda Tanner.

The class valedictorian – the highest academically ranked student in the graduating class – is Katrina Lockwood. The class salutatorian – the second highest ranked student – is Kellye Coleman.

Katrina – the daughter of Robert B. Lockwood of Madison and Diana M. Carmichael of Fredericksburg – has been accepted into the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.  She has been awarded a $50,000 scholarship and named a Cornell Tradition Fellow, an honor granted to students with outstanding dedication to work, community service and academic achievement.

During her time at MCHS, the Ivy League-bound valedictorian – who has a 4.5 grade point average – participated in the Beta Club, varsity girls soccer and the forensics team and worked as a correspondent for The Madison County Eagle.

Kellye – the daughter of Joe and Mary Coleman of Woodberry Forest – has been accepted at Elon University in Elon, N.C., where she plans to study broadcast journalism.

Each graduate will receive nine guest tickets for entrance to the Wetsel Middle School gym – where the actual ceremony takes place – and three tickets to the Madison County High School auditorium where there will be a live video feed.

A mandatory graduation practice – during which students will receive their guest tickets – is set for 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 6 at the Wetsel Middle School gym.

Graduating seniors participating in the ceremony must be at the MCHS cafeteria by 9:20 a.m. on Saturday, June 7. Doors open for handicapped patrons at 8:45 a.m., open admission begins at 9 a.m.

For information about the 2008 Madison County High School graduation ceremony, call (540) 948-5271.