Seahawks Go First Class

Franklin County High School made first use of the brand-new cafetorium on its new consolidated campus in Eastpoint Friday night, as 56 members of the first Seahawks class graduated from the new consolidated school.

With standing room only in the cafetorium, family and friends shed tears as they witnessed the historic occasion. Outside the weather was hot, but the new air conditioning was cool as an ocean breeze throughout the ceremony.

Clad in gowns sporting the class colors of crimson and silver, the graduates showed off the grace and class that has made them the first class to ever graduate from a county consolidated school. During the 2007-08 school year, they attended classes at the former Carrabelle High School, but school officials pushed the contractor to ensure they would have the privilege of receiving their diplomas at the new school.

"Classmates, we've finally made it," said a tearful Rose Creamer in her salutatorian speech. "We began this journey called school 13 years ago. Some of us were at Chapman, others at Brown, and still some at Carrabelle. Apalachicola Sharks and Carrabelle Panthers. Seems so long ago, and now we are one.

"The class of 2008 will always be remembered as the one that laid the groundwork for others to follow," said Creamer, after recovering her composure. She had begun her speech by paying tribute to God and to members of her family, beginning with her father, the late James T. Creamer, who passed away a year ago.

"Daddy, you'd be proud of me and I know you are watching," she said.

Like the valedictorian Haley Wood, Creamer urged her classmates to set a memorable example.

"As the first graduating class of Franklin County High School, it is important for us to set the standard for others to follow," she said. "We must strive to be the best in whatever we choose in life. Everyone is watching us - let's show them we are the number one class."

Wood began her remarks on a lighthearted note, telling the audience that "to keep things lively tonight, I have enlisted the help of several freshmen. They are strategically placed around the room with orders to douse anyone who nods off. So for the sake of the person next to you whose garment is dry clean only, try and stick with me for just a brief moment."

Wood thanked members of the faculty and staff, as well as her "extraordinary family; parents who lead by example, grandparents who offer a nice alternative to my mother and father on occasion, a sister who tells me exactly what she thinks, and an extended family who offers immense support."

She, like Creamer, urged her classmates to do great things. "We are diverse individuals with enormous potential. "I hope tonight brings us all the happiness there is. I also pray that life will always find you well and you make the most of every opportunity that comes your way," she said.

"Go for your dreams and don't ever let anyone tell you that they are unreachable," said Creamer. "A dream is only unreachable if you don't try to do it."

Two giant screens on either side of the stage enabled those on the sides to witness the ceremonies. Because the crowd was so large, prior to the ceremony Eddie Joseph, dean over the East campus, urged the men in the crowd to give up their seats if need be.

"If you see a lady that's standing up, make sure that chivalry has not died," he said.

After Class President Celia Granger, Dona Polous and Rose Creamer sang the National Anthem, Joseph offered a prayer.

Barbara Lee, class sponsor along with Christy Thompson, Carol Davis and Linda Massey, provided a list of special presentations made at the senior honors assembly. These included Adrienne Marion Jones as Curtis McLean Outstanding Senior and Most Kissed Senior (part of a student government fundraiser).

Department awards went to Wood (Social Studies, Spanish, and Science), Creamer (Business), Jeremiah Branan Mercer (Mathematics, Science and Business), Clay Williams Nichols (Mathematics), Kiani Segree (Culinary Art), Cameron Donald Burdulis (Vocational and Academic Recovery), and Keith Demar Floyd, Di'Tanzela Dominiquer Williams, Andrea Anqunette O'Neal and Nicolas Leedy Hudgins (Academic Recovery).

Students who received highest honors, for having a grade point average of 3.75 to 4.0 included Creamer, Mercer and Wood.

Students who received high honors, for having a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.74 included Celia Elizabeth Granger, Krista Sierra Messer, Erica Renae Sapp, Nichols and Segree.

Students who received honors, for having a grade point average of 3.0 to 3.5 included Timothy John Carroll, Amy Karylyn Dickerson, Adrienne Jones, Marcus Allen Maxwell, Thomas Andrew Provenzano and Wesley Anderson Wilson.

Also graduating were Sarah Jane Beaty, Christina Marie Bellew, James Cecil Bess, Lachan'telle Elizabeth Brown, Joseph Garrett Carter, Sonya Nacole Cothran, Catherine Rose Creamer, Anthony Chase Crum, Courtney Elizabeth Dearinger, Lindsey Patton Doll, Nicholas Sidney Ethridge, Casey Ryan Golden, Ethan Grant Griffin and  Tyffany M. Hollon .

Also graduating were Brittany Donett James, Natasha Channel Jones, Fawn Marie Keith, Scott Allen Kennett, Michael Dylan Klink, Alison Mary Kriss, Shannon Brett Lolley, Brandi Monique Manning, Taylor Brooke McAnally, Erica Leigh McKnight, Jordan Reshard McNair, John Edward Nunez, Dona Brooke Polous, Cecil Joe Pouncey, Amber Delonna Powell, Katrina Lynn Prickett, De'Iara Decole Prince, Brannon Terrell Rhodes, Albert D. Salter III, John Ryan Stokes, William Henry Strange, James Michael Trest, Chandler Lamar Washington and Alvin Theodore Wilson II.