Bishop Hall Charter School conducted commencement exercises for the spring graduating class of 2013 as 14 students received their high school diplomas Friday night, May 24. The graduation, hosted by Thomas County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Dusty Kornegay, was held before an emotional crowd at the Thomasville Center for the Arts. The ceremony began with a tribute to long-time math department chair at Bishop Hall, James Sickler. Earlier this year, Sickler was taken ill and had to miss the latter part of the school year. The audience was asked to join in wishing Sickler a speedy recovery.

The invocation delivered by Jeremy Rich, pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church and social studies department chair at Bishop Hall, and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Several students were singled out for recognition. Anthony James, who graduated in December, received a $500 scholarship award from the local chapter of the NAACP and a $500 scholarship award from the local Aquarius club. Tilya Means received a $1,000 scholarship award from the Thomasville Antiques Show Foundation Scholarship Fund. Josephine L. Mullins presented Means with the inaugural the Rev. Dr. I.L. Mullins Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $500.  Josh Gunn received $250 for the inaugural Saving Grace Art Award, presented in memory of Martha Grace Pettit.  Melina Domingo received the Luke 15 Award from Rich for $100. 

In addition, Bessie Sue Livesay and Rachel Swords, received the $100 Charting 4 Success Award.  These honors are presented to the students who best exemplify the mission of Bishop Hall Charter School and, in addition, complete their senior homeroom course in Charting 4 Success, a self-analysis exploration and self-assessment utilizing Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences.

Missy Stanaland awarded 10 students with honor cords from Southwest Georgia Technical College, signifying completion of dual-enrollment coursework completed on the SWGTC campus.

Dan Salveter made several presentations — Gunn with the Habitat for Humanity “Workhorse” award, Leigh Jenkins of Thomas University with a citation for “Excellence in Externship,” and B.J. Yearby and Yudondria Reynolds with PeaceJam certificates for two years of participation in that program which is affiliated with Thomas University and Florida State University.

Dr. Douglas Haydel presented Bessie Sue Livesay with the Senior Project award for her research and presentation which applied concepts of depth psychology to mythological and literary themes and characters.

Deborah Bryant recognized an additional eight students for their volunteer efforts at Thomas County Head Start, Garrison-Pilcher, and Harper Elementary schools.  These students, members of the Bishop Hall S.T.E.P. (Students Taking Education Positively) program have spent the school year helping Head Start pre-schoolers develop pre-reading and reading skills and have worked as classroom assistants to Garrison-Pilcher and Harper teachers under the direction of Verna Wiggins, Bishop Hall guidance counselor/graduation coach, Bryant and Rich, all teachers at Bishop Hall.

Twelve students also wore honor cords signifying their attaining a grade point average of at least a 3.0 (B) throughout the course of their high school career.

The Bishop Boosters presented Means with their $250 Student Laureate Scholarship Award.  She attained a 3.4 grade point average and completed four college credits at SWGTC during her high school career. Salveter received the $500 Bishop Hall Teacher of the Year award also sponsored by the Bishop Boosters.

Means, the Bishop Hall student laureate, was the keynote speaker for this semester’s ceremony.  She highlighted her trip to Arkansas and Tennessee and said it was the best learning experience I have ever had.  Referring to the Bishop Hall creed, she exhorted her peers to ensure “we are making healthy choices that benefit ourselves and the global community.” She also highlighted her community service experience at Thomas County Headstart.  Johnson presented the Thomasville Center for the Arts with Bishop Hall’s Business Partner of the Year award to Susan O’Neal.

Johnson presented the graduates as being eligible for receiving high school diplomas.

Dr. Kornegay accepted the class, conferred diplomas upon them and then thanked the graduates’ parents for trusting the education of their students to Thomas County Schools and Bishop Hall.  He also thanked the Bishop Hall staff and the graduates for persevering through to this important moment in the graduates’ lives.

The senior farewells were delivered by Shauna Crosby, B.J. Yearby, Josh Gunn and Kyle Carrington.  Crosby explained that her circumstances at home required her to become a hybrid student, completing classes at home, at SWGTC, in the community, and at Bishop Hall.  Yearby discussed about using mistakes as a basis for learning. He told his fellow graduates to focus on the positive.

“If you do not try you will not succeed, and when times get tough, do not give up.  Just P.U.S.H, which means Pray Until Something Happens.”  Josh encouraged his fellow graduates “to deal with life and its challenges so that the fire in your heart and soul becomes a blazing source of hope,” he said. 

Carrington, tossed away his prepared remarks and talked about his stepfather, who came into his life when Kyle was nine, following the death of his biological father.  He explained how his life had been completely changed by this man who gave new meaning and passion to his life goals.  He thanked Bishop Hall teachers for embracing his uniqueness and allowing him to work in his own manner, at his own pace, and for allowing him to earn his diploma in his own personal way.

He then led his fellow graduates in reciting the Bishop Hall creed, “The choices we make dictate the lives we lead.”  The graduates then tossed their hats into the air and proceeded out of the hall to join family and friends in the reception room.