RICHMOND COUNTY - Since its first graduating class way back in 1973, cursory analysis would indicate that Richmond Senior High School has now processed approximately 25,000 graduates from their initial RSHS matriculation through the final days of their senior year. It would be difficult to imagine any of those previous groups as having been any more impressive than this 2018 commencement class.
A total of 449 names were called on Friday, June 8th as members of the Richmond County Board of Education and Richmond Senior High administrative staff greeted and congratulated each student individually.
Principal Jim Butler was exuberant in his conveyance of kudos and accolades, noting the high degree of resilience and dedication demonstrated by the students in general, and the seniors in particular, in facing the multiple issues and difficulties that had been encountered throughout the school year. Ranging from malfunctioning bell systems and HVAC problems to an infestation of bats in the school building, several unusual situations seem to have occurred throughout the academic year. Principal Butler even self-deprecated to a degree, facetiously congratulating the soon-to-be graduates for having survived his first year as the school’s chief administrator.
Despite such obstacles, the Class of 2018 was characterized by having achieved the highest ACT scoring average and the greatest dollar amount of scholarship offers in the 46 year history of RSHS’s existence.
Although a relatively small class for RSHS (the Class of 1979 graduated well over 700), the 2018 group of departing students was nonetheless well-represented on this, their final hour of high school student status
Individual student speakers served to further solidify the aura of superior performances that permeated Raider Stadium on this evening of foreboding skies and occasional raindrops. Valedictorian Alexandra Webb, Salutatorian Shelby Matheson, Student Body President Peyton Babson, National Honor Society President Stephanie Wyand, and perfect attendance (from kindergarten through graduation) graduate Benjamin Morrison each spoke eloquently and convincingly of their positive experiences and how their fellow graduates should continue to meet the challenges of life that lie ahead.
Fittingly, a superb display of fireworks - compliments of Pam and Walter Easterling - was set off as the graduates of the RSHS Class of 2018 ceremoniously turned their tassels and symbolically tossed their mortarboards to indicate their departure from the relatively safe and secure confines of high school and into the unknown realm of their respective futures “in the real world.”
