BHS graduates 228 | News | Berkeley Independent

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BHS graduates 228

Published Tuesday, June 09, 2009 9:01 AM

By Stefan Rogenmoser
Berkeley Independent

Stefan Rogenmoser/Independent

Berkeley High School salutatorian Latoya Holland addresses her fellow seniors.

Two hundred and twenty-eight Berkeley High School seniors walked across the finish line of high school at the North Charleston Coliseum Saturday.

Before the ceremony began, students lined up in the hallways. They conversed loudly and excitedly with each other and faculty as the commencement and all its meaning was just around the corner, inching closer every second.

Senior class president Katie Reeves led the graduates and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The “Voices of Berkeley,” made up of graduating seniors, led the singing of the National Anthem. Senior class vice president Iesha Moultrie gave the invocation.

Principal Kim McLaren introduced salutatorian Latoya Holland.

“I realized my experience in high school would be what I made it,” Holland told her graduating class. Holland noted that teachers would never know how far-reaching their impact is on students.

Valedictorian Katlyn Webber read passages from the Book of Ecclesiastes, saying: ‘“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.’”

She alluded the profound passage to Berkeley High School’s Class of 2009. “We earned everything we have today,” Webber said.

The Voices of Berkeley beautifully sang the class song, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.”

All Berkeley graduates wore blue caps and gowns; underneath, young women wore white dresses and stylish white shoes, while Berkeley’s young men wore white shirts, ties, and black pants.

Gold Diploma covers represented Berkeley County Honor graduates; gold shawls indicated Beta Club grads, and white shawls stood for National Honor Society members; those wearing Rainbow Cords were National Art Honor Society grads.

The boisterous audience cheered for each graduate as McLaren gave them diplomas. Students were congratulated on stage by Superintendent Anthony Parker, secondary schools supervisor Rodney Thompson, elementary schools supervisor Karen Whitley, and school board members Jimmy Hinson, Terry Hardesty and Kathy Schwalbe. Assistant principals and senior guidance counselor Rhonda Yonce also greeted the seniors.

Junior marshals gave each senior a red rose, representing passion, desire, simplicity and courage, assistant principal Brent Stone said. The rose is also a symbol of hopes and dreams, which can be carried on the rose petals, Stone said.

Student Government Association vice president Shelby Ayers gave the benediction.

As students filed out of the coliseum, McLaren told them to “be good” and told them not to drink and drive.

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