KINGWOOD — Graduation is traditionally a way for students to say good-bye to adolescence, friends, faculty and a high school that has been a home-away-from-home for four years.
Thursday evening, 234 Preston High School seniors did just that. Some students and parents took time out to share their plans.
Briana Donley, daughter of Jessica and Shawn Donley, wants to find a part-time job and apply at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. She said she hasn’t made up her mind about a major but wants to study in something in the science field.
“Our oldest child is 26,” Jessica said. “She’s our last child at home. We will miss her but it’s not too far from home and it’s near a beach.”
Job Pitman, son of Rebecca and Randy Pitman of Felowsville, is going to take some time off after graduation.
Hannah Cramer, daughter of Jennifer and Clint Cramer of Lennox, plans to attend Pierpoint Community and Technical College, and major in radiology technology. Her younger sister Haley accompanied their parents to watch her graduate.
Evan Davis, son of Renee and Phil Davis, who was one of the recipients of the Promise Scholarship, said he will be attending West Virginia University but hasn’t chosen a field of study.
Victoria Noonan, daughter of Kristy Noonan of Valley Point, wants to attend Davis and Elkins and major in exercise science. Victoria was a recipient of the Emerging Leaders Scholarship.
“I’m a little weepy, but looking forward for the future,” her mother said. “But I’m bursting with pride. She is graduating with honors. She’s the first in the family to do that.”
Matthew Reckart, son of Kristi and Jamie Bishoff of Bruceton Mills, has a job waiting for him at Allegheny Wood Products. He said he is taking a year off and is debating going to college later.
Natalie Porter, daughter of Carrie and Ron Porter of Kingwood, will be attending Pierpoint Community and Technical College, where she wants to work toward becoming a medical lab technician.
Davon Thomas, son of Charity and John Mugnano of Fairmont, said he will be attending Fairmont State Uniersity. Thomas said he has always wanted to be an engineer, and wants to go into the electrical and technology engineering field. Davon’s grandparents, Nora and Richard Snider of Tunnelton, were also on hand to see him graduate.
Danielle Barker, social studies teacher at PHS, said this year, 11 students graduated summa cum laude, 21 graduated magna cum laude and 21 as cum laude. She said graduates received almost $1.5 million in awards.
Barker said there was one National Merit Scholar and 24 Promise recipients. She said Ainsley Walker was class president and Tyler Maddocks was class vice president. Speakers at graduation were Alexis Hart and Bryanna Miller.
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