The Clarke Central High School senior class was honored with a night of reflection this year organized by the PTSO. Photo by CLaire Elliott-Gower.
By KAYA POLLACK – Staff Writer
The Clarke Central High School senior class was honored with a night of reflection this year organized by the PTSO.
The Clarke Central High School Senior Class “Night of Reflection” was held on May 18 at the University of Georgia Chapel, with the theme: “Living in Gratitude.” This year served as a test run to determine whether the event will officially replace the senior reception.
“I love all the events honoring seniors, but the reception seemed to miss something to me. It was quite a bit of work for junior families to get donations, plan food, set up and clean up,” Barrow Elementary School family engagement specialist and CCHS parent Mimi Elliott-Gower said.
The reflection hosted by the junior class, was for CCHS seniors and their families, and was organized by the school’s Parent Teacher Student Organization.
“(The PTSO) looked at many space options. CCHS was out of the running due to construction so we chose the UGA Chapel,” Elliott-Gower said. “CCHS PTSO paid the $250 rental fee for a great open space for a short reception, weather permitting.”
The event was more structured than the traditional senior reception, with its own program and lists of specific events. The PTSO also sought to refrain from any religious affiliations, according to Elliott-Gower.
“Some schools still hold the traditional baccalaureate service which has a religious component–most often Christian. This kind of service cannot receive any funding or support from the school or district and can feel exclusionary to some,” Elliott-Gower said. “We knew we didn’t want that.”
Seniors Hanna Harper and Andrés Aramburo were emcees. Kendra Clark and Malik Sorrells, Katie Elliott-Gower and Liam Hubbard spoke as well. Sam Thompson and Marina Byrne performed a song, junior Kaitlyn Bortle sang while accompanied by the CCHS Brass Ensemble under band director Dr. Robert Lawrence and a choir under fine arts department co-chair Dr. Tony Rucker also performed.
“The night is an event for seniors, their parents and faculty to reflect on the past four years at Clarke Central with an overarching theme of gratitude,” Harper said.
The event closed with a time of reflection honoring seniors with social studies department co-chair Ashley Goodrich, Principal Dr. Robbie P. Hooker and parent Bertis Downs.
“I have been asked to speak on behalf of the faculty (and) what we wish for the class of 2015. I have asked different members of the faculty to share with me some of their wishes, which I will then share with the class along with what I wish for them as well,” Goodrich said.
