May 22, 2008

Commencement exercises for the Ava High School Class of 2008 were held last Saturday evening at the Ava football field. Graduation marks the end of one phase of life for the graduates, while setting the stage for yet another era. Following commencement, most of the seniors attended the Project Graduation all-night party at Drury University in Springfield, then said their final good-byes during breakfast Sunday morning at the Ava Lions Club cafeteria building at the Missouri Fox Trotters complex north of town. Speakers at the commencement program were Valedictorian Caitlin Elliott and Salutatorian Trey Hathcock. A senior choir, under the direction of Miss Michelle Massey sang “For Good” and “We’ll Always Share a Song.” Diplomas were presented to 108 graduating seniors this year. Ava R-1 Schools will conclude the 2007-08 school year this Friday with a half-day of classes. The Honor Awards program was held last Friday morning at 10:30, during which time scholarships and awards totaling tens of thousands of dollars were handed out to seniors who will continue their education. Friday afternoon the annual Senior Assembly was held in the high school gym. Pictures of all the graduates, as well as pictures of those receiving awards, can be found in the special Senior Edition section of this newspaper.