Murphy – The Oaks Academy graduated 20 seniors Thursday at Shepherd of the Mountains Church.
Oaks Academy Principal Carmen Garland gave a welcoming address to the packed sanctuary. After she welcomed the friends, family and guests to the ceremony, the seniors walked in led by Sonya Crouch, the alternative school’s Teacher of the Year.
John Worden led the pledge of allegiance, then Shawn Campbell gave the invocation and prayed for the Class of 2024. Garland gave opening remarks to the seniors, and the Steve Bias Scholarship was awarded to Issiah Hall.
The convocation address was given by Tim Radford, mayor of Murphy. During his speech, he gave the seniors a list of things to live by as they enter the next step in their lives.
Radford’s list included for the seniors to “be kind, listen, be non-judgmental, support peoples decisions, be someone’s biggest cheerleader, be polite, live a life that’s true to you, take care of yourself, take care of others and smile if you feel like it.”
The seniors walked across the stage and received their diploma from Barry McClure, then posed for a photo and greeting from Garland. After they walked off the stage, they were congratulated by Superintendent Keevin Woody and other members of the Cherokee County Board of Education. After receiving their diplomas, they proudly turned their tassels officially become high school graduates.
The Oaks Academy Class of 2024 is Trinity Maxine Bruce, Brennon Caid Collier, Kaylee Jordan Cox, Jessica Marie Tommie Dillard, Zackrey Hunter Gamble, Issiah Canaan Hall, Aiden Lashley Hines, Lawrence Thomas Normand, Dakoda Donald Patterson, Kaydence Erin Pope, Chance Lee Ramey, Bodie Allen Rote Reese, Dawson Amadeus Ward Sertain, Joseph Landon Sharp, Ava Ryan Stevens, Caleb Julian Zachary Tamayo, Lorenzo Antonio Vazquez, Todd George Wendt and Steven Edward Wilson Jr.