1000 x 90

Congratulations to Avery High School’s Class of 2014

10380994_483550878444999_1402138821899393163_n
ACS Board Chairman John Greene offers congratulations to the graduates!

Compiled by Jesse Wood

June 16, 2014. Avery High School held its Class of 2014 graduation on Friday evening at the high school stadium, and 11 seniors received a standing ovation at the Avery County Blue Ridge Academy (B.R.A.) graduation last Thursday at the Chapman Center.

Below are photos of the event and some of the recognitions and awards that students received for their hard work this year and throughout their school career in the Avery County Schools system.

ACS Students of the Year

Shannon Smith, Jake Hinshaw and Charles Brown, have been named the Avery County Schools Edward Jones Excellent Students of the Year for 2013-2014 year. These three 2014 graduates have exemplified what it means to be an excellent student and have earned their way to the top three students in the Avery County High School senior class.  Shannon Smith was named the Valedictorian; Jake Hinshaw was named the Salutatorian; and Charles Brown, earned top honors ranking third in his class.

Standing Ovation for ACS Graduate Makenzi Hayes

Mackenze Hayes received recognition for never missing a day of school from kindergarten through twelfth grade.  Realizing the challenge of this amazing accomplishment, her 2014 graduating classmate saluted Mackenze with a standing ovation.

Graduates of Avery County Blue Ridge Academy

Eleven seniors received a standing ovation at the Avery County Blue Ridge Academy (B.R.A.) Graduation last Thursday, June 12, at the Chapman Center.

Students, families, stakeholder, and administration met to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of this fine group of graduates.

Graduate Eric Jackson charged the students to set their goals high and to go over and above those goals for success. Former Principal Mark Garrett thanked the B.R.A. Class of 2014 for teaching him many lessons about perseverance, character and uniqueness.

He stated, “In education, we have to realize that ‘one size does not fit all.’ Some students need a different means to reach their goals; and through the B.R.A. these students have been able to use different as their means to reached their goal to graduate from high school. I am honored to be here with them and so very proud of each one.”  

On behalf of the B.R.A., Principal Ricky Ward would like to extend his sincere appreciation to the Avery County Board of Education, Avery County Commissioners, High Country Council of Governments, Allen Cook, Blue Ridge Academy Staff, Avery High School Principals and Counselors, Avery School Health Team Nurses, Williams YMCA, and Mayland Community College. 

“There are many educators and stakeholders that donate their resources and time to this academy.  We could not foster success without the teamwork and council of these dedicated professionals,” Ward said.   

IMG_9456
Savannah Smith Class of 2014 Valedictorian
IMG_9367
Savannah Smith Class of 2014 Valedictorian and Ty Polsgrove, Scholar Athlete of the Year
10378928_10203986481212924_4197874261625257676_n
Superintendent David Burleson congratulates Carson Williams
10380994_483550878444999_1402138821899393163_n
ACS Board Chairman John Greene offers congratulations to the graduates!
IMG_9415
Teachers Sue Purser, Gayle Scott, Shannon Purdue, Teila Terrell and Tina Hughes join in the celebration!
IMG_9350
Jr. Marshalls (back to front) Number One Zac Lindsey, John Clark, Wade Smith, Madeline Leaman, Raina Wiseman, Kylie Polsgrove, Keturah Taylor, Hannah Sabisch, Edith Andrews, Jodi Poore, Sarah Cleary, Lindsay Wiseman
IMG_9152
Eleven seniors received a standing ovation at the Avery County Blue Ridge Academy (B.R.A.) Graduation last Thursday, June 12, at the Chapman Center: Back: Douglas Austin Hughes, Charles Hunter Guinn, James Cleveland Arnett, Eric Gordon Jackson, Daniel Wike Zartman, Jacob Dean Cashion, Marco Antonio Ambrocio Tomas.  Front: Tiffany Michelle Tolley and Dora Jane Benfield.  (Not pictured: Justin Levi Dellinger and Sage Addison Miller)
IMG_9223
Austin Huges, B.R.A. Charter Student and Susan Gundersen, teacher
IMG_9254
Guest Speaker Mark Garrett, Marco Antonia Ambrocio Tomas