Randolph Early College High School Makes History
with First GraduationASHEBORO (May 21, 2010)
Awaiting the beginning of the Randolph Early College High School graduation ceremony are (from left) Christopher Leonard, SGA vice president; Virginia Montes Aviles, valedictorian; Megan Cates, SGA president; Daleena Spainhour, salutatorian; Nancy Cross, RCC-RECHS liaison; and Tina Trotter, RECHS guidance counselor.
Fifty-nine high school students from Randolph County made history this week, becoming the first graduating class from the Randolph Early College High School located on Randolph Community College's Asheboro Campus.
Around 400 people gathered on the front lawn of RCC on May 19 to witness the occasion, as the students marched in wearing their red caps and gowns. Just one week earlier, at Randolph Community College's May 12 graduation, 29 of them had received Associate in Arts degrees.
In his remarks, RCC President Robert S. Shackleford Jr. told the audience that Randolph Early College High School had a record of academic excellence and was one of the top achieving high schools in North Carolina. He said, "This inaugural graduating class has set the bar very high for all classes to follow. And that bar is this: At the Randolph Early College High School, mediocrity is not acceptable; the pursuit of excellence is the standard."
The students heard from several speakers during the emotional ceremony, including the graduation address by Dail Moore, a former RECHS English teacher who retired last year. Virginia Montes Aviles gave the valedictory address, and Daleena Spainhour was the class salutatorian. Megan Cates, RECHS Student Government Association president, gave the senior address; and Christopher Leonard, SGA vice president, welcomed the crowd and introduced Moore. Also addressing the crowd was Randolph County Superintendant of Schools Donald Andrews.
RECHS Principal Cathy Waddell presented the diplomas to the students as Nancy Cross, RCC's Early College High School liaison, read the graduates' names.
The members of the Randolph Early College High School Class of 2010, listed by city of residence, are as follows:
Archdale: Steven Craig Buckmaster II, Stacie Nicole Collins, Cecilia Irene Loflin, Lauren Kay McDowell, Rachelle Renee McQueen, Catrina Ann Neal.
Asheboro: Virginia Montes Aviles*, Chelsea Janene Bigelow, Brooxie Lee Brewer, Autumn Celeste Brooks, Megan Dorothy Cates*+, Natalie Lauren Caviness*+, Miranda Page Cox*+, Sierra Richelle Davis, David James Deaton, Vannessa Gabrielle Everette, Leticia Andrade Figueroa, Morgan Hope Gaines*+, Sarah Elizabeth Hancock*, Morgan Adrianna Hill, Krystal Nicole Hussey, Erica Sade King, Erin Shanay King, Victoria Denise Luther*, Kiara Marie Martin*, Luis Angel Martinez-Comonfort, William Cory Mason, Jason Davis Moffitt, Jacqueline Janet Morales*, Jenny Abigail Morales*, Anissa Brooke Slone, Kaitlyn Kristen Snider, Daleena Rene Spainhour*+, Taylor Mackenzie Swaney, Karla Alejandra Topete-Romirez, Ariel Monique Weeks*+.
Denton: Grant Steele Robinson*+.
Franklinville: Kristine Lynn Beck, Brittany Nichole Garrison, Chelsea Lynn Hall, Heather Renee Poe.
High Point: Jacob Dylan Beeson.
Liberty: Christopher Ryan Leonard*+.
Pleasant Garden: Johnathan Richard James.
Ramseur: Jalea LaShae Marley, John Edward Poole, Jessica Solis*+.
Randleman: Brooke Renee Edmonds, James Lee Pendell, Samantha Elizabeth Robillard*.
Seagrove: Haylee Jane Cole, Kayla Lynn Riffe, Kendale Danielle Wilson*.
Staley: Danielle Kyla Galipeau*.
Thomasville: Daniel Ray Billings, Anna Michelle Duncan.
Trinity: Zachary Harris Bryant, Callie Breanne Hanes*, Kathleen Elizabeth Rieger*.*Top 20 seniors
+North Carolina Scholars
