Berkeley Independent
Together one last time Saturday night at the North Charleston Coliseum, they sat together victorious as young adults, unified in their joy to be graduating and taking the next step in life.
“What makes this class so great is the diversity it has,” Timberland valedictorian William Harrison Holmes III told his fellow seniors in an eloquent message. “In the end, it comes together under one roof and we get to witness something so amazing from this group of individuals few will ever see. We’ve witnessed unity.”
Holmes recalled his first days at the rural Class AA school located in St. Stephen. The classrooms felt divided.
“When I first came to Timberland all you ever heard was the town a group of individuals was associated with,” he said. “It was either I’m from St. Stephen or I’m from Huger.
“You should have seen the way the classrooms were set up. Each had a little town in its own little corner …
“Look at us now. We’re Timberland High School, the home of the Wolves.”
He pointed out that this class excelled both academically and athletically. It played for a state championship in football one year, had several strength and track champions through the year and was a regular in the playoffs in every sport.
“Coach (Art) Craig (the athletics director) said it himself, we may never have this type of athletic talent pass through these doors again,” Holmes said. “I’m very much inclined to believe him. The class of 2009 has set a bar that can not be surpassed by any other.”
They also had the highest overall grade-point average in the school, their primary achievement as students.
“Talk about leading by example,” Holmes said.
His final words were important truths.
“Class, always remember these two things: never forget where you came from and through God all things are possible so have no fear of what lies ahead,” he said.
In all, 205 graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, with 74 students having received more than $4 million in scholarships and awards.
Honor graduates Amber Michelle Gainey (salutatorian), April Lynn Wagner, Ashley Elizabeth Blanchard and Taylor Lawrence Grooms addressed the class.
Honor graduate Chase William Burbage led the pledge of allegiance, while Shantell Angelika Rogers sang the national anthem. Whitley Felisha Rouse led a singing of the school’s alma mater.
David Barrow is the school’s principal.
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