Local seniors to turn tassles

By TEDDYE SNELL

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS May 09, 2008 12:45 pm

— Prom season is over, and soon, seniors at all four area high schools – Tahlequah, Hulbert, Keys and Sequoyah – will turn the tassles on their mortarboards and begin a new chapter in their lives.
Cailyn Russell, vice president of the THS senior class, can hardly wait to continue her education.
“I’m just ready to go to college,” said Cailyn, who is concurrently enrolled in nine hours this spring at Northeastern State University. “I’m ready to be out on my own and not have set school rules. I’m ready to be my own person.”
Cailyn plans to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, and pursue a pharmacy degree.
The most important lesson she’s learned throughout her high school career is respect for her elders.
“I’ve had a very influential teacher in my life who helped me figure out what I want to be,” said Cailyn. “And I’ve also made great friends and had an opportunity to go to college and high school at the same time.”
THS classmate and senior Beki Martin plans to attend the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and will pursue a pre-med program.
“I’m really excited to get out of high school, but not about leaving my friends,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed the classes here at THS, and the level of preparation they’ve given me for college. I’m also thankful for all the friends I’ve made.”
THS will host graduation for its class of 326 seniors at 7 p.m., Friday, May 23, at NSU’s Gable Field. Should Mother Nature interfere, the event will be moved to the THS PAC, and seating will be limited to ticketholders only. A baccalaureate for THS seniors will be at 6 p.m., Sunday, May 18, in the THS Performing Arts Center.
Parents of THS graduating seniors have fostered a tradition of keeping teens safe by sponsoring the Save-A-Senior all-night graduation party. This year’s event will be at NSU’s University Center, and both Cailyn and Beki plan to attend.
“The Save-A-Senior party is neat,” said Beki. “It gives us one last time to be together as a class, and it keeps us safe.”
The Sequoyah High School Class of 2008 will celebrate graduation at 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 16, at “The Place Where They Play” on campus, followed by a reception. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith and Attorney General Diane Hammons will address the 89 graduates. A senior luncheon is planned for Thursday, May 15.
SHS senior Kandace Vann has her sights set on a promising college career.
“Getting to experience concurrent enrollment during my senior year was fun,” said Kandace. “I now plan to attend NSU, majoring in art.”
Michael Soap has developed his athletic prowess while at SHS, which has afforded him opportunities to also attend college.
“Playing basketball and track, and going to state in both have been one of the most memorable things for me,” said Michael. “My future plans are to attend the University of Oklahoma on a track scholarship and also to try out for the basketball team.”
Hulbert Schools Superintendent Wayne Ryals said they’re planning an outdoor event. “We’ll hold graduation at the high school football field, of course, as long as it doesn’t rain,” he said. “In that event, everything will be the same, we’ll just move indoors to the high school gym.”
Hulbert will host Rep. Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah as speaker.
“We have 41 in our graduating class,” said Ryals.
While Hulbert has no party planned for its seniors, Ryals indicated the prom went well.
“We had a real nice time,” he said. “We held the prom at the Armory Municipal Center in Tahlequah, and the turnout was great. The kids created some good memories.”
Keys High School hosted its prom April 26, at the Muskogee Country Club, according to Principal Calvin Klugh.
“The kids had a great time,” he said. “And we had good attendance.”
KHS has planned an indoor graduation for 7 p.m., Friday, May 16. The school boasts 70 graduates this year.
“We’ll have graduation in the KHS gym, and our valedictorian will address the class,” he said. “We have an all-night graduation party planned, but that’s managed and sponsored by the senior parents. While we donate our facilities for the event, it’s not school-sponsored.”
The party will run from 9 p.m. on graduation night to 6 a.m., Saturday, May 17.
KSH officials may not be involved in the planning and execution of the party, but Klugh supports the function.
“I think it give the students something to do – a way for them all to be together one last time,” he said. “It keeps them safe and off the roads on graduation night.”

Graduation daze
Tahlequah High School: 7 p.m., Friday, May 23, at Gable Field on the NSU Campus. In case of rain, the event will be held in the THS Performing Arts Center. Call (918) 458-4150 for details.
Keys High School: 7 p.m., Friday, May 16, in the Keys High School Gymnasium.
Sequoyah High School: 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 16, at The Place Where They Play on the SHS campus.
Hulbert High School: 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 16, at the Hulbert High School football field. In case of rain, the event will be moved to the HHS gymnasium.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.