The 2012 Clinton County High School class graduating members are getting to end their high school careers a couple of weeks earlier than usual, thanks to the mild winter and only a couple of school days missed during the 2011-12 term. School is already out for the summer and the CCHS seniors will be receiving their diplomas at the end of this week.

The ninety-fifth annual Clinton County High Commencement Program will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, May 18 at the CCHS gymnasium and will see some 100 high school seniors receive their diplomas and several also receiving awards and scholarships during the program.

As always, the commencement ceremonies will begin with the recessional by the Clinton County High School Band, followed by the presentation of colors by the JROTC Senior Color guard. Logan Crouch will then give the invocation.

After a musical selection by the senior band members, Jared Hunter will deliver the salutatory address, followed by a musical selection “Sing” performed by Janie Beth Shelton, accompanied by Allan Marcum.

The class history will then be read by Brittany Smith, followed by a musical selection by her entitled “I Will Remember You.”

Following the class history and musical, William Cox will deliver the 2012 valedictorian address and then CCHS Principal Sheldon Harlan will make the awards presentations prior to a class slide show, “Only In A Small Town.”

Clinton County Schools Superintendent Mickey McFall, who is retiring June 30, will then present his last graduating class at CCHS with their diplomas.

The program will end with a tassel ceremony by class officers, the benediction by Megan Gibson and recessional by the high school band.

Some notes about the students who will graduate with high honors this year:

* Cords, Sashes and Tassels–The gold tassels and sashes 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.

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 2012 Senior Class:

* Class Motto: “Everybody dies but not everybody lives.” Drake

* Class Flower: Gerber Daisy.

* Class Song: “What’s Left.” 3 Doors Down.

* Class Colors: Hot pink and lime.

* Class officers: President, William Cox; Vice-President, Jared Hunter; Secretary, Darrian Dalton; Treasurer, Wendell Maupin.

* Senior Student Council members: William Cox, Kasey Conner, Jared Hunter, Courtney Starnes, James Staton.

* Mr. and Miss Senior Class: Wendell Maupin and Logan Crouch.

* Class sponsors: Martina Brown, Stacey Evans, Gina Poore, Angela Church, Jana Hatcher, Lorie Musk, Michael Whittenburg, Jessica Conner, Kathy Hunter, Miranda Stockton.

* Commencement Ushers (from the Junior class): Paige Armstrong, Hannah Campbell, Travis Gregory, Kiley Hoppe, David Bowling, Leah Claborn, Destiny Guffey, Hailey Neal, Troy Butler, Ethan Cook, Ben Gunter, Zack Pharis.

Congratulations and good luck to the Clinton County High Class of 2012 from everyone at the Clinton County News. Also, our annual special Senior Salute section accompanies this week’s issue.