Three Leon County Schools graduate 150 seniors

Graduate Jentry Clary with mom Joan Madden. Mom is a teacher at Leon and will miss seeing Jentry every day. Three of the five Leon County High Schools held commencement ceremonies on Friday evening, May 28, 2010. The faculty and staff of Centerville, Leon and Normangee each said farewell to the class of 2010 with similar fanfare.

Centerville High Tigers began their service at 8:00 p.m. in the Tiger Gymnasium where fifty graduates accepted their diplomas. Valedictorian Kelsey Lagrone and Salutatorian Jose Mora lead the procession as Principal Bob Loomis called the name of each graduate as they proceeded down the aisle to “Pomp and Circumstance.” Henry Scarbrough III opened the ceremony with prayer.

Class Salutatorian Jose Mora addressed his classmates with hopes and challenges for the future. Jose’s resume reflects outstanding accomplishments in academics, sports and leadership. He will attend Texas A&M University in the fall.

Honor graduate Chance Breeding is more than just a little happy with the evening. Sherry’s Shots Valedictorian Kelsey Lagrone, a member of the National Honor Society has garnered multiple accomplishments in her studies as well as in sports. She is a member of the Girls’ Track team who took home the title of cochampions for the Texas State Track Tournament. Kelsey will attend Texas A&M University where she will major in Allied Health and Nursing.

Superintendent Cathy Nichols and School Board President Danny Lacey presented the diplomas. A total of 46 scholarships were awarded in the program.

Leon High Cougars held their ceremony at 7:00 p.m. in the Billy Evans Gymnasium, graduating 51 seniors. Mrs. Nancy Beddingfield played the processional as each graduate entered the gymnasium through a white trellis. Once the graduates were seated graduating senior Matthew E. Sheppard lead the invocation.

Kyrbie Barnett was among those graduating Tigers. Third in his class and Historian, Alexander Kimball addressed his peers, family and friends. Alexander plans to attend University of Texas, Tyler.

Paola Flores, Salutatorian, delivered her speech next. A member of the National Honor Society, Paola plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin.

Valedictorian Dana Smith challenged her classmates in her address. She has been a member of the National Honor Society and the A Honor Roll for all four years of high school. Dana will attend University of Texas at Tyler, majoring in Nursing. She plans to be a nurse anesthetist.

High School Counselor Pam Garner handed out 38 awards and scholarships before Superintendent Jay Winn and Principal Matthew Garner presented the diplomas.

Normangee High Panthers said goodbye to 49 seniors in Friday night’s graduation exercises. The ceremony was held at Normangee High School in the new Panther Gym. This may be the largest class graduating from Normangee High School.

Leon’s number one graduate Dana Smith is excited about what lies ahead. Sherry’s Shots Coming in first in his class was Valedictorian Tyler Hostetler. He was a member of the A Honor Roll for all four of his high school years as well as a National Honor Society member and worker. Tyler will attend Texas A&M University and major in mechanical engineering.

Salutatorian honors went to Troy Watkins III. Troy was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council as will as the A-Honor roll. He plans to attend Texas A&M University where he will major in petroleum engineering.