SIKESTON — With some area seniors already out of school and others cramming for finals and completing projects, graduation is just around the corner.
That leaves schools scrambling to put the final touches on the ceremonies, including determining lineups and setting up for the big event.
About 240 Sikeston Senior High School students are slated to graduate at 7 p.m. May 20 at the Field House, according to Kim Thornbrough, senior counselor.
Tickets are required to attend graduation, and doors will open at 6 p.m. Each student will receive 10 tickets, said Thornbrough.
Right now, she’s preparing for the Senior Awards night on Monday. “Our speakers will be announced that night,” said Thornbrough.
Next week, she’ll start compiling final lists, as well as determine the valedictorian and salutatorian of the class. Maintenance workers in the district have already begun work, to polish the grounds as well as the facility, she said.
Two area graduations will involve alumni at this year’s ceremony. In continuing its 50-year birthday, Kelly High School in Benton has invited Class of 1958 graduates to the commencement for a 50-year reunion.
“They were actually the first graduating class of the school,” said Keith Kyle, a senior sponsor. The notion was the administrators’ idea, and members of that class will have special seating.
At the ceremony, scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday in the school’s gym, 73 students will graduate. Leading the class will be valedictorian Paige Rampley and salutatorian Elizabeth Ray.
At East Prairie High School, the speaker has a special meaning to one of the graduates. Speaker Greg Woodward’s son, Cameron, is part of the class. “(Greg) was selected by the class to speak,” said Carolyn Slinkard, high school secretary.
Sixty-three students will graduate during the 7 p.m. ceremony May 23 in the high school gym. Valedictorian and salutatorian there will be determined this week, once grades are turned in, said Slinkard.
Other schools around the area are also putting the final touches on the ceremonies, which include scholarship and award presentations.
At New Madrid County Central High School, 96 students are scheduled to walk in the 6:30 p.m. commencement exercises on May 20 at the gymnasium, said John Garner, principal.
Seniors will take finals this week, so the class leaders have not yet been announced.
Also on May 20, 74 seniors at Charleston High School will graduate at 8 p.m. in the High School gym. The class leaders are yet to be determined.
In Portageville, 48 students are set to graduate at 8 p.m. Friday at the Vic Reeves Athletic Field. Valedictorian and salutatorian have not yet been announced.
Also scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday is the ceremony for Richland High School seniors in Essex. Valedictorian and salutatorian of the 27-member class have not yet been announced, as teachers and administrators are finishing tallying grades.
Twenty-five Scott County Central students will participate in commencement exercises scheduled for 7 p.m. May 19 in the Ronnie Cookson Gymnasium. Leading the class will be valedictorian Lara Wells, and salutatorian Alana Hargrove, said Mary Catherine Eddy, senior sponsor.
In Oran, 36 seniors will graduate at 2 p.m. May 18 in the school gymnasium, said Crystal Todt, high school secretary. The students are already out of school, and Michelle Essner has been announced as salutatorian, with Kody Campbell and Jodi Urhahn leading the class as co-valedictorians.
