On Friday night, May 27^, Auburn School held its 2011 8^th grade graduation ceremony in the school gymnasium. The gymnasium was filled with many parents, family members, and friends that joined to honor the graduating class. The 88 graduates entered the gym while Rhonda Powell, school guidance counselor, played the processional. Katina Kemplin, assistant principal, gave the introductions for the evening’s program. Chloe Anderson, graduating 8^th grader, delivered the invocation. Paula Patrick and Bethany Hill, 8^th grade class sponsors, presented the 8^th grade awards.
After the award presentations, soloists, Molly Bell, Jesse Clark, Jonathan Townsend, and Addie Young led their 8^th grade class in singing their class song, “Wherever I Go” by Miley Cyrus. David Ward, principal, and Tim Hall, Auburn School Board member, then presented the diplomas. The graduates exited the gym while Ms. Powell played the recessional. Other 8^th grade sponsors were Becky Engler and Nathan Hart. Music directors were Martha Bayles and Mandy Beasley.
The following students received special awards and recognitions: Brittney Basham, Becca Engler, and Adriana Hinojoza were honored for having perfect attendance for the school year. Mr. Ward presented this year’s Murrell Rogers Attendance Rotary Award on the behalf of the Rotary Club to Becca Engler. This award is based on high attendance and excellent grades. Sixty 8^th graders earned the President’s Education Award. The President’s Education Awards Program is an effort by the U.S. Dept. of Education to recognize outstanding educational achievement and effort. This recognition is given to all students with a grade point average of 90 percent or higher.
The Principal’s Award, which is chosen by Mr. Ward and is given to a student who is outstanding both academically and socially, was awarded to Adriana Hinojoza. Students who have been outstanding in a specific subject area were then given awards for those subject areas. Those receiving awards include: Ben Wright - Algebra Award, Madison Anderson - Art Award, Holly Looper and Ben Wright - Music Award, Nathan Ramsey - P.E. Award, Holly Looper - Language Arts Award, Adriana Hinojoza - Math Award, Brittney Barton - Science Award, and Nicholas Lashley - Social Studies Award. The final awards for the evening were the presentation of the salutatorian and valedictorian. The 2011 class salutatorian is Ashley Brinkley, and the 2011 class valedictorian is Ben Wright.
The 2011 graduating class of Auburn School includes: Devin Austin Alford, Alaina Chloe’ Anderson, Madison Drue Anderson, Dustin Layne Bailey, Cookie Billie Jean Barrow, Brittney Michelle Barton, Brittney Dawn Basham, Jaylin McKayla Belcher, Molly Hannah Bell, Terri Jean Birchum, Elijah Thomas Bird, Miranda Danyelle Bradley, Ashley Danielle Brinkley, James Hunter Britt, Winston Alan Bryant, Austin Tyler Clark, Jesse Madison Clark, Kelsey Grace Coleman, Faith Margarette Collier, Camille Paulette Collins, Katelynn Ann Collins, Brandin Kaleb Coursey, Monica Paige Davenport, James Trenton DeBerry, Kenneth Dylan Dickerson, McKaylah Cheyanne Douglas, Rebecca Paige Engler, Wesley Bryan Estes, Cambria Jade Faulkner, Krysten Renee Flatt, Cory Lynn Ford, Hannah Dalila Gabhart, Victoria Felicitas Gipson, Tahmir Graham, Amanda Gail Haley, Ethan Jamison Haley, Anna Marie Harrison, Austin Wesley Haynes, Airelle Nic’Cole Haynie, Kayla Michelle Hazel, Heath Gavin Ray Hightower, Adriana Victoria Hinojoza, Matthew Lee Hinton, Kelsey Shaye Hughes, Christian Lee Hutcheson, Alyssa Shay Johnson, Selena Teresa Jones, Tess Marie Kienzle, Cason Scott Knight, Joshua Aaron Knight, Macy Jordan LaGrone, Cheyanne Nikole Landrum, Chandler Noel Larson, Nicholas Mitchell Lashley, Tiffany Marquita Long, Holly Kathryn Looper, Forrest Vincent Lynch, Erika Jo McLean, William Zachariah Miller, Ashlea Jada Munday, Brenna Renee Murphy, Johnathon Page, Brittany Nichole Pendleton, Trevor Chyle Poole, Haley Deeann Powell, Kapreshia Ann Powell, Nathan Blake Ramsey, Dalton Roberts, Johnathan Cole Rogers, Louisa Ann Romero, Collin Glyne Rostampour, Matthew Martin Scales, Dillon Reece Settle, Danielle Alexandria Shelton, Kallie Renna Shoemake, Mason Cole Stanley, Sam Sturgill, Trey Thompson, Jonathan Townsend, Sarah Anne Underwood, Anna Marie Watkins, Andrew Hayes White, Dawson Emmett White, Caleb Mark Williams, Jason Lee Williams, Benjamin Calvert Wright, John Thomas York, and Addison Marlena Young.