'While this path is coming to an end, another is just beginning'

Three seniors qualified to receive equal titles of valedictorian of the Class of 2011. They include, from left, Matthew Middleton, Samantha Baylor and Weston Blankenship.

Twenty-seven graduates crossed the stage at Delta C-7's 2011 Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday, kicking off what will be a series of graduations to take place throughout the immediate region over the next few weeks.

The class motto perhaps best summarized the sentiments shared during the evening. Written by Stephen Cunningham, the motto said "As time goes by, the accomplishments and friendships we make determine the path we follow. While this path is coming to an end, another is just beginning."

Students in the Class of 2011, who are embarking on a new journey in life, following last night's observance include Malik Jerrell Armstrong, Samantha Nicole Baylor, Weston Michael Wayne Blankenship, Justin Robert Brimhall, Brancon Jamar Brooks, Hailee Elizabeth Brooks, Chelsea Marie Cannon, Paul James Chandler, Stephen Terrell Cunningham, Jamal Xavier Guyton, Sara Elaine Keel, Carly Brooke Kennedy, Tyler Aaron Looney, Marquis Dejuan Malone, Matthew Lee Middleton, Brandy Nicole Mooney, Laken Alisse Palmer, Danielle Raye Parsons, Garrett Scott Pickens, Tony Mason Priddy, Taylor Nicole Ragins, Chelsea Cheyenne Shaw, Quodavis Demetrius Sims, Brittney Renee Tidwell, Jessica Ann Vaughn, Charles Matthew White, and Michael Anderson Woods.

Featured speaker, Brother J.R. Davis, pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, talks to the graduates of the Class of 2011 at Delta C-7's Commencement Ceremony about "passing the torch" and looking to the future.

The class flower was designated as the Stargazer Lily, with the group's colors being selected as ruby and silver. Sponsors for the graduates include Brandi Brown, Sarah Malone and Wesley Richardson.

Of these 27 students, three seniors received straight A's throughout their four years at Delta C-7 according to administration. This outstanding achievement qualified the three to receive equal titles of valedictorians of the Class of 2011.

The first valedictorian to speak was Samantha Baylor, the daughter of Wayne and Sheila Baylor of Bakerville and the granddaughter of Buck and Judy Abernathy of Cape Girardeau and Sonny and Shirley Baylor of Jackson. Baylor participates in softball, volleyball, band and cheerleading and is a member of Smokebusters; Beta Club; Chargers Against Drugs; Educational Talent Search; FCCLA; FBLA; Prayer Group; Spanish Club; Student Council; Yearbook Staff; and the school newspaper. She is also an active member of Oak Grove Baptist Church and was selected to serve as the 2010 Missouri Girls' State delegate.

Baylor has been accepted to the School of Pharmacy at the University of Mississippi at Oxford where she will be attending in the fall.

In her message to Class of 2011, Baylor noted what a "special place" Delta C-7 is, and how fortunate she and her classmates are for attending there.

"Very few people can say they knew everyone in their graduating class, much less their whole high school," Baylor explained. "We have been sheltered at Delta C-7."

Baylor noted that she was aware of the fact that life will not always offer such sheltering conditions, as did her school.

"This brings to mind a statement by E.E. Cummings," Baylor said, before quoting the famous author.

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are."

Baylor said that for her, the message by Cummings holds true. "Life after high school won't be easy, but it is something we all must face. I find hope in John 16:33 which says 'I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.'"

The second valedictorian, Weston Blankenship, followed Baylor's speech.

Blankenship is the son of Mike and Darlene Blankenship of Braggadocio and the grandson of Bill and Jackie Blankenship of rural Kennett, and Vonnie Pitts and the late Russell Pitts, also of rural Kennett.

Blankenship participates in baseball, basketball, and marching band. He is also president of his senior class and member of FCCLA; Prayer Group; Smokebusters; FBLA; Beta Cub; Educational Talent Search; Spanish Club; Student Council; Yearbook Staff; and the school newspaper. Blankenship is an active member of the youth group at Bakerville Church of Christ and was chosen to serve as delegate for the 2011 Missouri Boys' State. He was also the recipient of the 2011 Daughters of the American Revolution's 'Good Citizen Award.'

Blankenship will be attending Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau in the fall to pursue a degree in computer and multimedia graphics.

He just might have stolen the show with his moving address, where he sincerely and emotionally reminisced on times gone by, while growing up in the Delta C-7 school district. Through tear-filled eyes and with a shaky voice, Blankenship recalled moments spent on the playground, dodgeball wars, a student-attended Cardinals game, and most remembered, a comical memory of he and his classmates pulling a stunt in which they put one of their own in a coffin and "slid her down the stairs of a two-story building." Of course, this drew laughter from the audience, in the midst of an sensitive oration, that also recognized a moment in which Blankenship and his classmates felt a deeply shared loss.

"On a sadder note, those of us who were students here in October of 2003, shared an experience unlike the others," Blankenship said. "We experienced the sudden and unexpected death of our beloved classmate, Justin Mullins. Although young, we came together and supported one another. Upon reflection, I see we were already bonding to become the Class of 2011. We will never forget Justin and the times we shared because he and those times still live in our hearts."

The third valedictorian, Matthew Middleton, son of Lee and Pam Middleton of Caruthersville was the last of the three to speak. He is the grandson of Bob and Doris Bomar of Steele and Doyle and Gayla Middleton of Hayti.

Middleton participates as a member in the school's yearbook and newspaper staff, in addition to FCCLA; Prayer Group; FBLA; Beta Cub; Educational Talent Search; Spanish Club and Student Council. He was the treasurer for his senior class, a member of the Bakerville Church of Christ Youth Group and also placed first in the FBLA district competition in accounting, business communications and emerging business issues.

Middleton will be attending Southeast Missouri State University in the fall to pursue a career in mass communications.

According to Middleton, the friendships he made while attending Delta C-7, and the experiences shared, are ones that he wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

"The journey from freshman year to senior year has been a long one, and it wouldn't have been possible without the support from so many people," Middleton said in his address. "That's the great thing about Delta C-7, there's always someone who will support you and help you."

Middleton noted that the school had the "best teachers" before adding that "they create a great atmosphere for our school and that is what has allowed us to be here tonight, graduating."

The valedictorian referenced the age-old-saying that "time flies when you're having fun" toward the end of his speech.

"I've had a ton of fun, so I suppose that's why my senior year went by so fast," Middleton explained. "It's been a great ride, guys, one that I will never forget."

The guest speaker for the 2011 Delta C-7 Commencement Ceremony was Brother J.R. Davis, pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church. Davis was born and raised in Jonesboro, Arkansas and is presently attending the Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee.

Davis spoke to the graduates at the beginning of the evening, congratulating them on their personal successes and challenging them to look to God for guidance as they "pass the torch" and embark on a new journey with new challenges ahead.

High School Principal Chris Moore, presented the Class of 2011, following Davis' speech and the announcement of the three valedictorians. Board of Education member Mike Tidwell then conducted the presentation of diplomas for the 27 graduates, who were celebrated by all as they made their way across the stage.