The 2015 Clinton County High School graduation ceremonies will revert back to “old school” in a way this week, as two nights of graduation related ceremonies will return.

To cut down on the lengthy time it takes to complete all of the award presentations, program events and actual awarding of diplomas in one night, the graduation program will begin on Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m. at the Clinton County High School gymnasium with what is being billed as “Awards Night” at CCHS.

The 98th Commencement program, in which graduates will actually complete their high school education, will be held Friday, May 29 beginning at 7 p.m. at the CCHS gym.

The Class of 2015 will be a larger than average one at Clinton County with some 105 seniors graduating Friday night.

Commencement ceremonies will begin with the processional by the CCHS high school band (the audience is asked to stand as the seniors enter the gymnasium). The presentation of colors will then be presented by the JROTC Senior Color Guard, followed by the invocation by Marika Lowhorn.

Following the musical selection, “Good Old Days” by Derek Dyer and Andrew Sexton, Taylor Albertson will deliver the Valedictory address, followed by a musical selection by Ryan Thomas and a Valedictory address by Brett Shepherd.

CCHS principal Sheldon Harlan will present awards, which will be followed by a slide show by the Class of 2015 entitled, “Pretty Good Place To Be.”

Then will come the moment the over 100 graduates have been waiting for for four years, as Superintendent Charlotte Bernard will award diplomas. That will be followed by the benediction by Makayla Lee and 2015 class officers will perform the tassel ceremony.

Several scholarships have been awarded this year, including nine from businesses, eight from colleges and universities, six memorial scholarships and four organization or individuals, for a total of 27 scholarships awarded to deserving seniors.

* Cords, Sashes and Tassels: The gold tassels and sashes signify seniors who qualify in scholarship character, and leadership in 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.

The Red, White, and Blue cords signify seniors who have completed course work that exceeds the standard requirements and enables them to receive a Comprehensive Diploma which surpasses the standards set forth in the pre-college curriculum.

* With Honors: Seniors who graduate with honors are those 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 Intercollegiate Bureau of Academic Regalia.

Some other notes about this year’s 2015 Class of 2015:

Class Motto: “Just Keep Swimming”; class flower, Hibiscus; class song, “Don’t Blink” (by Kenny Chesney); class colors, turquoise and coral.

Class officers: President, Adrianna Thrasher; Vice-President, Rachel Claborn; Secretary, Ashley Harper; Treasurer, Samuel Rains. Student Council members: Chase Anderson, Lucas Gibson, Haley Matthews, Chance McWhorter and Kristin Smith. Mr. and Miss Senior Class: Alex Beaty and Taylor Guinn. Class sponsors: Jessica Conner, Stacey Evans, Lucas Dalton and Miranda Stockton.

The 2015 graduation program commencement ushers, from the junior class, are: James Beaty, Cori Langford, Erika Rodriquez, Celena Stephens, Mildred Dominguez, Carrie McClellan, Phillip Staley, Katie Beth Williams, Zackary Garmon, Cody Starns, Caleb York.

Congratulations and good luck to all of the 2015 Clinton County High School graduates from everyone at the Clinton County News!