Commencement ceremonies are an annual event for high school seniors completing their 12 years of education in Clinton County. However, when graduates walk across the stage at Clinton County High School at the end of the week, they will be a part of history at the school, as the Class of 2014 will be the largest in number in the school’s storied history.

Approximately 119 CCHS seniors will receive diplomas during the 97th Commencement Program this Friday night, May 23 starting at 7 p.m. in the Lindle Castle Gymnasium.

The one-night program will proceed as follows:

Processional by the Clinton County High School Band (the audience is asked to stand as the graduates enter the gymnasium.) The JROTC Color Guard will then present the colors, followed by the invocation by David Pierce. Following a musical selection by the CCHS senior band members, Dustin Daley will deliver the Salutatorian address.

Ceremonies will then proceed with a musical selection, “Time of My Life” performed by Alex Beard and Lamon Tyler Hubbs. Class Historian David Pierce will then present the 2014 Class History, followed by another musical selection, “Etude in d Minor” and “Rock and Roll Medley” by Emily Bertram and Jacob Williams.

This year’s top honor student, Jacob Williams, will then deliver the Valedictorian, or “farewell” address to the Class of 2014, following with CCHS Principal Shelton Harlan will make the awards presentation. After the awards are handed out, the senior class will present a slideshow presentation, “Journey.”

The moment the record number of students have been waiting for the past 12 or more years will then take place, as Clinton County Schools Superintendent Charlotte Bernard will award diplomas. This will be followed by the tassel ceremony by the 2014 class officers. The benediction will be delivered by Tyler Stearns and the ceremonies will conclude with the recessional by the CCHS band (the audience is asked to remain seated for the recessional.)

The several awards that will be presented include memorial scholarships, organizations and individuals, business and college and university scholarships.

This year’s commencement ushers, made up of junior class members, include: Sapphire Avery, Alissa Cook, Glen England, Bianca Soma, Alex Beaty, John Crouch, Haley Matthews, Ansley Stalcup, Robert Beaty, Danielle Dalton, Samuel Rains and Adrianna Thrasher.

Some other notes about students receiving awards:

* Cords, Sashes and Tassels: The gold tassels signify seniors who qualify in scholarship, character, and leadership for membership in the National Beta Club.

* The purple and white cords signify Career and Technical Education seniors who qualify in student excellence and leadership for membership in the National Technical Honor Society.

* “With Honors” are seniors receiving a Comprehensive Diploma, earning a GPA of 3.0 or better, and maintaining an attendance rate of at least ninety percent for the past two school years.

* Faculty’s Academic Hood. The velvet/velveteen trim represents a specific degree/discipline. The satin chevron represents the college/university conferring the degree. The lining represents the college/university conferring the degree and the black shell is the traditional color determined by the degree and intercollegiate Bureau of Academic Regalia.

The 2014 Class officers were: President, Lee Sinclair; Vice-President, Sarah Glover; Secretary, Darien Wallace; Treasurer, Baylee Baker. Student Council members were: Lindsay Asberry, Silas Brown, Clay Choate, Lee Sinclair and Minda Sloan. Class sponsors: Mike Beard, Kathy Hunter, Ron Cook, Lorie Musk, Jana Hatcher, Jonathan Oakes.

Some other notes about the Class of ‘14: Mr. and Miss Senior Class, Austin Stearns and Kayhlie Carpenter; Class Flower, Tiger Lily; Class Song, “Don’t Stop Believing” (Journey); Class Colors, Royal Blue and Silver; Class Motto: “When in Doubt, Throttle Out.”

Again, congratulations to all the 2014 Clinton County High School graduates from the management and staff of the Clinton County News.