Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The Clay County Progress
By Harrison Keely
You can tell that school is wrapping up when everything seems to be coming to a
firm conclusion. Many seniors finally felt relieved Tuesday evening after presenting their
senior projects to judges. The projects required seniors to be with their mentors for at
least fifteen hours and encouraged the creation of a "product." The products needed to
be a reflection of the amount of time spent on the project.
The next day, Wednesday, was "senior skip day," a nonofficial holiday that has
been practiced by seniors as tradition for years. It worked out perfectly, because they
each deserved a break following the stresses of project presentations.
With virtually no seniors in the school, the freshmen, sophomore, and junior
classes cast their votes for next year's student council officers. The following results
were announced the next day:
Student Council Officers:
President: Craig Shook
VicePresident: Marcus Keely
Secretary: Abby Roach
Senior Class Officers:
President: Katlyn BrownGomez
VicePresident: Sally Schreiber
Secretary: Chelsea Moody
Junior Class Officers:
President: Matthew Mixon
VicePresident: Michael Glatthar
Secretary: Nathan Bourne
Sophomore Class Officers:
President: John Kindy
VicePresident: Kayla Shaheen
Secretary: Trevor Staton
Class representatives and freshmen class officers will be elected this fall.
Wednesday afternoon, several students, faculty, and friends came together to honor
seniors Tiffany Geraldi and Martin Champ Geraldi at a reception. Mrs. Pat Moore
organized the event which took place in the vocational building after lunch.
Superintendent Penland opened the event with a welcome followed by greetings
from Lynn Manning. Afterwards, special awards were presented to a few exceptional
students: Tiffany Geraldi, Martin Geraldi, Kevin Rugg, Adelle Geraldi, Jolayne Geraldi,
and Karley Geraldi.
The highlight of the celebration, without a doubt, would be the song that the
Geraldis sang: "My Girl." Throughout the song, they danced with microphones and sang
their hearts out. It was a presentation they had been preparing for weeks.
Afterwards, presentations were made to Michelle Fishter, Camille Geraldi, and
Dr. Gail Criss. Ms. Julia Buckner then displayed a slideshow of photos from Martin and
Tiffany's years at HHS.
Before the end of the day, the exceptional students department released
information about their upcoming field trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Annually, the
department takes students on an exciting endofyear trip. This year's trip, scheduled for
May 18th, will include a tour of the Tennessee Aquarium, a viewing of an IMAX movie,
and a long stop at the mall.
Thursday was the big day. At 8:15, students and teachers joined together in the
auditorium for the annual yearbook assembly (no pun intended). Everyone had waited
all year long not only to see what the cover and theme of the new annual would be but
also to find out who it would be dedicated to.
After a welcome by HHS yearbook instructor Mrs. Carla Beck, seniors Jared
Hughes and Kendra Bettis began the honorary dedication. For about two minutes, they
gave hints as to who it might be by describing personality traits. Hughes then
announced that the 20042005 HHS YellowJacket was dedicated to Mr. Harris Crisp, a
school custodian.
Applause erupted from students and staff as Mr. Crisp rose to his feet from the
back of the auditorium and proceeded to the stage. As he walked forward, the entire
student body stood up to recognize this hardworking man, full of integrity as well as
kindness. Mr. Crisp accepted the dedication by giving a brief yet humble speech of
appreciation.
The custodian received the very first copy of the new yearbook so the next few
copies went to those teachers who have retired or will soon. Students presented those
to Thomas Penland, Paul Swanson, Guinell Hunter, Connie Bristol, Pat Stamey, and
Linda McClure. Annuals were also given to the elementary, middle, and high school and
the central office.
Mrs. Beck then recognized each of the students who had worked hard to create
the yearbook by presenting them with the next copies. Yearbooks were distributed to
students all day from the high school media center. At 2:25 PM, classes were let out so
that everyone could trade signatures at the football field.
The week ended wonderfully with a rehearsal for the senior chorus and the sale
of the school newspaper, The Buzz. The final issue of the year was like a goingaway
present to the seniors. The front page featured a recollection of the past entitled "Saying
Goodbye to the Class of 2005." Inside were messages from teachers to seniors and
viceversa, also dedications from seniors to underclassmen, messages to friends, and
the longawaited senior "Oracle's Prophecy." The "prophecy" pens a rough sketch of
what the students may be doing years into the future.
The end of May is an amazing time every year, and as the drama builds, seniors
are caught looking toward the climax the moment they've waited for since they first
entered school. But it's not over yet; exams are on their way...