NEVC grads ready to take on the world

The Northeast Vernon County High School Class of 2009. --Neoma Foreman/Special to the Daily Mail

The graduation class of 2009 was the first Kindergarten of Northeast Vernon County. "Thirteen years ago, Schell City and Walker schools combined. We wondered if we would make it as a school. We made it. Now our perspective has changed. We are one school and determined to give our children the best education possible," stated Paula Gray, co-Commencement speaker at the NEVC graduation Saturday evening in the gym of the Walker Campus. She used the illustration that a tree has a lot of branches, but is still a part of the tree as the graduates will always be a part of NEVC. Gray is the mother of one of the graduates, Shannon Gray and assured them that their perspective of greatness is in their hands.

"I started coaching this team in Pee Wee." Mr. Grady Davis, father of graduate, Kelci Ann Davis, and NEVC Co-Commencement speaker, told the graduates to "Never stop -- growing; trying; achieving, and you'll never stop succeeding. Enjoy your time, but don't believe in luck -- make it happen. Life is a series of goals and accomplishments." He encouraged each to set many goals. Charles Naas, superintendent, presented both speakers.

Sunny Bailey, NEVC graduate welcomed the friends and families of the graduates.

Gina Naas, high school counselor, presented the honor students: Sunny Bailey received an Academic Competitiveness Grant, American Dream Grant, and Northwest Missouri State Freshman Merit Award; Shannon Gray received the Southwest Baptist University President Scholars, Southwest Baptist University Music Performance, Southwest Baptist University Dependent of Minister, Southwest Baptist University Church Matching Award, NEVC Ministerial Alliance Scholarship, Vernon County Cattleman's Association Scholarship, Schell City Alumni Scholarship, Sir Optimist Scholarship and (pending) On My Own Scholarship; Damien Hansen received Ladies Auxiliary V. F. W. No. 2175 Scholarship and Cavener's Office Supply Scholarship; Ashley Hardy received Crowder College Superintendent's Scholarship, and Crowder College Trustee's Scholar-ship; Shaina Schmidt received the Crowder College NRTC Scholar-ship, Chase Thompson received-Missouri State University Presidential Scholarship, Missouri Higher Education Bright Flight Scholarship, Mis-souri State Leadership Scholarship, National Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship, Nevada Local Elks Lodge No. 654, Nevada Chamber of Commerce Community Pride, Nevada Rotary Club, MKN Board of Directors Scholarship -- Upward Bound, James A. Lewis Memorial Scholar-ship, and the Walker Alumni Scholarship; Tif-fany Triebel received the Martha Carrier Memorial/

Ellis Foundation Scholar-ship, The John Bryon Corbin Charitable Trust Scholarship, Tabor Aca-demic Scholarship, Tabor Service Scholarship, NEVC Community Teach-ers Association Scholar-ship and the MFA Scholarship; Brian Wallace received a scholarship from 54 Cruisers of El Dorado Springs, and the Missouri Dog Breeders Association Scholarship.

These students received a combined total of approximately $131,000 in scholarships and wish to thank the donors for the wonderful investment in their future and the future of the community.

The salutatorian address was given by Ashley Hardy who told the class "to be yourself and what you are meant to be and not sell yourself short. It's time to spread our wings and grow up. No matter where life takes you -- take it on." Chase Thompson, as valedictorian, told the graduates that the most important part of the graduation regalia was the person wearing the cap and gown.

"The cap and gown is important because it is not exclusive and we've earned it together. Everyone is unique and now it's time to go out in the world and find out what we can do."

Kelci Davis played a piano solo, "Cannon in D."

Shannon Gray sang, "Find Your Wings."

Brad Landoll, high school principal, presented the Class of 2009. The graduates presented flowers to loved ones while a power point of each student was shown. A memorial was shown for NEVC grandmothers, Barbara Nikodim and Mary Ellis, and for the father of one of the graduates, the Rev. Gene Gray. Mike Newman, Board of Education, presented the diplomas, except that Bobby Haddix, Board of Education, presented the diploma to his son, Nathan. Tiffany Triebel gave the closing. The processional and recessional were each played by Kathy Newman.

The Northeast Vernon County Baccalaureate was held Wednesday evening in the gym with Chris Dryer, NEVC ag teacher. as the speaker. Gifts were presented to each graduate from the NEVC Ministerial Alliance.

NEVC graduates were: Sunny Dawn Bailey, Seth Cole Chadd, James Shadoe Davis, Kelci Ann Davis, Shannon Linae Gray, Nathan Lee Haddix, Damien Anthony Hansen, Ashley Dawn Hardy, Tamara Dawn Harms, Shaina Nicole Schmidt, Philippus Schoeman, Charles Edward Stewart, Dakota Lane Terry, Chase Alan Thompson, Tiffany Marie Triebel, and Brian Lowell Wallace.