Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV
May 26, 2012
McDowell graduates step into their futures
KATE COIL
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
WELCH — By
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
— More than 200 young men and women in McDowell County earned their high school diplomas Friday evening during commencement exercises at the county’s two high schools.
Stephanie Blankenship, a guidance counselor with Mount View High School, said 95 seniors received their diplomas after walking across the stage in the high school’s auditorium Friday evening.
“We have 95 graduates this year,” Blankenship said. “At least 50 percent of our graduates will be going into a two- or four-year college. Several are going to vocational school or into the workforce as well. We have some really great students who have worked very hard. More than $100,000 worth of scholarships were handed out to our seniors during our awards night earlier this week. They are definitely a group that will be missed.”
Mount View High School’s 2012 valedictorian was Amanda Key and the school’s salutatorian was Cory Haines.
Tabatha Van Dyke, senior counselor at River View High School, said 121 students gathered in the school’s gym Friday evening to receive their diplomas.
“They are very excited to be graduating,” Van **** said. “I have really enjoyed spending time with them this year. These kids have worked hard. This is a good group and they are very optimistic.”
Van **** said the students have also put hard work into their future plans once they complete their high school education.
“We had a lot of money go out for our awards day,” Van **** said. “Approximately 25 percent are going to college. Some are going into the military and others are going to vocational. We have a good 25 percent that already has a job lined up or is looking for work. We are very proud of them. They are my kids.”
River View High School’s 2012 valedictorian was Ronald Lockhart III and the school’s salutatorian was Reagan Stafford.
McDowell County Superintendent Jim Brown said students at both high schools have worked hard to earn their diplomas.
“We are very proud of the senior classes this year,” Brown said. “They have done well and provided great leadership at their schools. These students have spent four years at Mount View and two years at River View. They have been really exceptional and this is an exciting time for both the students and their families. Both schools have done an outstanding job.”
Brown said he has high hopes for this year’s seniors.
“I think the key thing is that this is just one step in a long journey, regardless of what their endeavors are,” Brown said. “Whether it is straight into the work force, technical school, military or college, we want them to do their very best and finish what they start. We want them to be very successful and then come back home to McDowell County.”
