Sincerely yours, Class of 2009

A sea of gowns appears from atop the hill at Martin Mooney Field, signaling the arrival of the 220 guests of honor, boys in green, young ladies in white. 
Friends, families and well wishers wave, clap and click away at cameras as the graduates take their seats expectantly, pushing aside for the moment thoughts of where-is-whose-party or what-will-I-wear-to-the-beach.
William Monroe High School band ends the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance.“
“Good morning,“ pipes Class Historian Anna Schneider, stepping up to the podium to warmly welcome all to Saturday morning’s Commencement 2009.
Vice President Kate Puryear follows, declaring to her fellow graduates: “One phrase reminds me of this class: ‘we go so hard. … I know we will all succeed because we go so hard.“
Seniors Allison Tucker and Kaitlyn White, accompanied by Rachel Garcia, perform the song “Blackbird.“

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Salutatorians Christian Herring, Virginia Landes, and Matthew Morris are next,  delivering speeches that not only thank their friends and families, but also encourage their classmates to cherish memories shared together and to never lose faith in their dreams.
  Valedictorian Ryan Bouton, too, goes down memory lane with the class.
  He says lightly, breaking the audience into laughter: “Perhaps you will remember the lunch: the glory of chicken nugget day or that one, special day in the past four years where pizza was not served.“
  Bouton also remarks: “Whether you like it or not, the memories and experiences we bring to college or whatever other destination we chose in the future come from William Monroe High School and Greene County…Together, we made these memories; so now together, let’s make one last, special memory here today.“
  And they did.
Not surprisingly, the Class of 2009 was in a playful mood. Sneakers, sandals, flip-flops and boots unhidden by tradition hinted to a casual feel in the air.  Inflatable toys soon made their way among the dignified robes and mortarboards. 
  All the while, William Monroe High School Principal Mike Jamerson confirmed the talent and impressive qualities of this year’s graduating class in his speech given before the awarding of diplomas.
Among the many accomplishments of the 220 graduates, William Monroe’s largest graduating class to date:
• 96 have earned Advanced Studies diplomas
• 10 are joining the military
•  77 were senior athletes
• 74 percent of the class is continuing their education in four or two-year colleges and universities
•  And the class earned a whopping $791,400 in scholarship money.
“These accomplishments speak volumes of the quality of the graduates who are seated before me today,“ Jamerson said on Saturday. “This also speaks to the quality of the people who have supported you… your families, your teachers, your fiends and this community of Greene County.“