Seniors Prepare for Graduation
On Thursday afternoon, Ocracoke's class of 2012 went through the paces of graduation. Ocracoke School Graduation will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 10 in the school gym. Former guidance counselor Laura Miller was chosen by the seniors to deliver the commencement address.
The six seniors with the longest tenure at Ocracoke School will all speak, or sing, at the ceremony. The seventh, Ashley Salinas-Lopez, moved to Ocracoke from Washington, NC last year. Ashley flashed a beautiful smile, and said she will attend East Carolina University in the fall, and hopes to become a dentist.
Salutatorian Virginia Downes, unflappable as always, shrugged and said public speaking was "not a big deal." She offhandedly cited occasions where she has stepped up to a microphone in front of a room full of people to represent Ocracoke School. Statistically, most people fear public speaking. Virginia is not most people.
A star actress, prismatic Virginia said being behind the podium was "different than a real stage." She will pursue her talents, academic and theatrical, in Eastern Tennessee, at Sewanee: the University of the South.
Junior marshals Jordan Jenkins, Emmet Temple and Casey Tolson led the seniors down the aisle. There was some discussion of footwear and wardrobe. Leslie Cole and Kay Riddick told the students in no uncertain terms that jeans, flip flops and sneakers were not acceptable attire for graduation.
Kay Riddick organized commencement on Ocracoke for 29 years. She briefly shucked retirement to bond with History teacher Leslie Cole, whose formidable organizational skills and desire to do things well means the mantle of graduation guru lives on.
"I only have one nice pair of shoes," said William O'Neal.
"Then that's the one nice pair I want to see you in," replied Kay, emphatically.
"Kay still has complete and total authority," William said of his former teacher, in what struck me as a moment of utter sincerity fused with awe. William plans to wait a year before pursuing further formal education. His classmates said he was the most likely to go into politics.
"I think William is going to work for the CIA," hinted Valedictorian Molly Lovejoy.
She and William both answered, "Me!" about which classmate is the most likely to earn the first million. To make her case, Molly pointed out that civil servants aren't generally well paid. (Editors note: government contractors, on the other hand . . . )
High school English teacher Charles Temple said that of all the seniors, Molly was most likely to end up on a reality TV show, "but probably as a producer." Molly has received scholarships to Emerson College in Boston, where she plans to study film making. In addition to attending college farthest away, the consensus of her classmates is that Molly is most likely to make her home somewhere other than Ocracoke.
First grade teacher Mary Ellen Piland popped in to watch. These students comprised her first class at Ocracoke School, back when they were cuddly-bumped, puddle-kneed kindergartners.
William, Echo Bennink and Leslie Espinoza are the only three from the original class that attended all 13 years at Ocracoke School. Stephen Nelson, Rob Touhey and Ferrell Eisner have long since moved, said Mary Ellen. 'Graduation' should be synonymous with bittersweet: Mary Ellen retires at the end of this school year after a career as an exemplary and beloved elementary educator in Hyde County.
A tough-as-nails athlete, Echo is the third Bennink to graduate from Ocracoke School. She'll head west, to the University of North Carolina in Asheville, where she'll no doubt continue to disarm and improve the world. Echo has a knack for unselfconsciously being both far cooler and much kinder than most people. That's why her classmates said she is the most likely to have a sandwich at Jason's Restaurant named after her.
As she becomes an adult, Echo said she doesn't plan to make the mistake of forgetting how to have fun and experience the world with joy.
"What will you miss the most about Ocracoke School?" I asked astute and ordinarily articulate Leslie Espinoza. She looked at me skeptically, furrowed her brow, and uh-ummed until it seemed better just to have a conversation.
Leslie will study at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. She is interested in Education, but realizes she could be the most likely to change her plans if something else inspires her intellectual curiosity.
Temple said Leslie is both the most likely to turn up as a contestant on a nationally televised game show and to discover a passion for teaching.
Cassandra Hagins, always savvy, and proudly sporting the most tardies in her class, missed the first practice for graduation. There is no doubt she's ready for different challenges, but crossing the stage without missing a beat won't be one. Before tossing her cap in the air, Sandra will sing at the commencement ceremony, and then travel to Barton College in Wilson, NC to continue learning.
The students and staff made each other laugh during the graduation run-through, and listened to one another as they tweaked the flow of the ceremony. There were spontaneous flourishes that likely will not happen on Sunday; handshakes were replaced by fist bumps, and Principal Walt Padgett gave props to the only male graduate by theatrically introducing William as "last on the program but number one in your heart."
Teachers like Temple, Mrs. Piland and Coach Adam Burleson stopped by not only because they just can't get enough of these kids but to show support for their future endeavors.
"We're going to miss them like crazy, but we don't want to see any of them until Christmas," said Coach B, with a big smile. After loud, logical protests from the seniors, Coach B conceded that it might be okay to see them at Thanksgiving, as long as they all take college seriously.
"We can't miss you if you don't stay away," added Temple.
Their teachers won't be the only ones who will miss the soon-to-be former Ocracoke School students. As the seniors practiced filing out of the gym, they were reminded to walk slowly to the school deck, where they will form a receiving line to thank all the friends and family wishing them well.
"The whole island's going to come," Kay reminded them.
