Published: June 08, 2009 09:17 am      

SLHS graduation

288 graduate from South Laurel on Saturday

By Carl Keith Greene / Staff Writer

Valedictorian John Whitaker told his South Laurel High School classmates Saturday afternoon to remember those in their lives who have helped them get to where they are now.

Using the story of time that the Jews — as they fled Egypt to the promised land — at one significant point in their journey raised what they called an Ebenezer, a monument that would remind them of how Yahweh had gotten them there.

Whitaker and his classmates, he said, have reached a point in their long journey that should be marked by such a monument.

And, he said, all those who assisted the 288 graduates are monuments in the lives of the seniors. Those assistants include not only the educators they have encountered, but also parents, other relatives, friends, acquaintances and others.

Whitaker said, “The people who have guided your lives are the Ebenezers in your lives. To those Ebenezers, today say ‘Thank you.’ Some day you will be an Ebenezer in someone’s life.”

Salutatorians were Anna Katherine Fiechter and Rebekah Ann Huffman.

Seniors who were awarded the Commonwealth Diploma were, according to the printed program: Hadeel Arnjad Ali, Steven Alsbrooks, Monica Daniel Campbell, Anna Katherine Fiechter, Lindsay Jo Floyd, Cody Edward Gay, Justin Glenn Hale, Kenneth Clark Harris, Lindsey Nicole Helton, Alexes Marie House, Elliott Carter House, Rebekah Ann Huffman, Candace Meagan Kirby, Kyle Edward Messer, Matthew Ian Miles, Kaitlyn Renee Mills, Alison Leigh Owens, Priyanka Dipak Patel, Nicholas Allen Poston, Hanna Mae Robbins, Jeremy Darnell Roberts, Brandon Lee Thompson and John Richard Whitaker.