With only eight graduates, Newton-Conover Health Science High School was able to recognize the Class of 2009 in a special way.
Eight faculty members selected a senior who was special to them, telling a little about that student and giving them a book as a graduation gift.
Math teacher Luann Walker chose student Jazmin Gabriel.
"She was just such a special person," Walker said. "Over the past four years, she has gone from social to academic, from a squealing young girl to a mature young lady."
Walker gave Gabriel "Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul," something she felt fitting for the teen.
Other books the students received include an owner's manual of the brain for a student who wants to go into autism research, a John Grisham novel with a noble female heroine for a female graduate who wants to be a lawyer, and a book of humorous tips for a new college student.
Katherine Lyda, who plans to go to Catawba Valley Community College for two years and then transfer to Piedmont Baptist College, received "In the Footsteps of Paul," from Allen Weatherford, the school counselor. She said the Giving of the Books ceremony surprised her.
"I thought it was a very special thing," she said. "I didn't know they were going to do it."
Lyda chose to attend the Newton School, as it is often called, instead of Newton-Conover High School, because it would better prepare her for college and because it is a smaller school. She said that's part of what she'll miss.
"We're such a small group, we have a family atmosphere," Lyda said.
Valedictorian April Tester and salutatorian Won Lak Choi also let graduation attendees know through speeches the Newton School was no ordinary school.
Choi took time to separately speak about and thank his family, teachers, principal and school system for making his life and school experience what it was. Choi's family came to the U.S. from South Korea nearly five years ago, and he said the difference between the schools there and the schools in America were night and day.
"Selfless is the word that comes to mind whenever I think of our teachers. The teachers didn't let anyone fail a class, and patiently worked with us," he said, adding that principal Jerry Willard "captivates me with his leadership and passion for this school. He puts so much life into this school, so we can have a better life after school."
Lastly, he thanked the other seven students that make up the Class of '09 for their friendship and unity.
"In any situation, we helped each other and worked as a family," Choi said.
Tester agreed with Choi, saying the eight seniors learned to depend on each other, as their class grew smaller with each passing year. She said in freshman and sophomore years, the eight graduates didn't speak much to each other and had their own cliques. As more students in their class transferred to other schools, though, they bonded more.
"As they left, we grew closer and supported each other, like through the bio EOC (end of course exam)," Tester said. "We're more like family than classmates. We're the eight '09-ers."
She also warned her fellow graduates that the future of the country rested on their shoulders.
"We are the future. It's up to us to turn things around," Tester said.
She added that she can't wait to see what the class has done by the time they come together for their 10 year reunion.
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