EOCHS seniors plan graduation

May 19, 2012

By STEVEN NALLEY
sdnedu@bellsouth.net

East Oktibbeha County High School will hold its graduation ceremony 6 p.m. Sunday at Mississippi State University’s Humphrey Coliseum.
Helen Kennard, EOCHS principal, said she anticipates a large crowd. A total of 31 students are set to graduate, she said, and a reception is available to parents and graduates at 5 p.m. in the president’s reception room.

“(Graduation is) always a high time for the community,” Kennard said. “Alumni and community members ... enjoy coming back to graduation.”
The ceremony will not only feature speeches from Valedictorian Ashley Ellis and Salutatorian Ani Rice, Kennard said, but also a performance of the class song. She said graduating seniors will sing “The Storm Is Over Now” by Kirk Franklin.

Throughout the year, Kennard said she has been struck by the unique bond the seniors share. She said the seniors would frequently check in on each other to make sure they were all taking the correct classes and making the necessary grades. Sometimes, she said, friends would accompany a struggling student to Kennard’s office to help him or her ask Kennard for help.

“It inspired me, because they cared enough,” Kennard said. “They just look out for each other. It’s almost like in the scriptures, when they ask, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ They really are their brothers’ keepers.”