57 graduate from Trenton

By Carrie A. Mizell

Trenton High School’s graduating Class of 2011 holds many records, explained principal Lynette Langford, during Saturday night’s graduation ceremony.
“There are a bunch of good kids in this class,” Langford said. “They are nice to each other, and they treat adults with respect. I have found that the senior class sets the tone for the entire school and because this class is so outstanding, we have had a wonderful school year at Trenton High School. Thank you, seniors.”
According to Langford, the Class of 2011, which is made up of just 57 seniors, holds the record at THS for the smallest graduating class in the last 15 years, the lowest number of referrals, the first West Point Academy appointment, the lowest amount of money raised for prom, the highest number of senior skip days, and the largest percentage of honor students, students receiving Bright Futures scholarships and students who have taken college courses.

Trenton High School’s Top 10 graduates are shown l-r (ascending order): Alyssa McElroy, Andrew Martin, Caleb Smith, Corbyn Pugh, Sean Scank, OJ George, Amber Logan, Taylor Bushway,
Olivia Andrews and Elizabeth Boyles.

Three graduating seniors, Elizabeth Boyles, Taylor Bushway and Sean Scank were recognized for having completed their AA degrees at Florida Gateway College while in high school.
Boyles was recognized as Trenton High School’s Class of 2011 valedictorian. As she said in her address, Boyles moved to Gilchrist County in seventh grade, so she could not offer any witty anecdotes about her fellow classmates. In fact, Boyles said much of her high school experience was spent in the band room or the dual enrollment lab.
She did offer her fellow classmates some advice:
Be careful what you say. Financial skills are important. And finally, there are people, places and things outside of Trenton, Florida, so graduates should know that they do not have to stay in Gilchrist County to be successful. She pointed to the success of Oprah, who was born into poverty in rural Mississippi.
“High school is an ending, but not the ending of life; it’s just the beginning,” Boyles said. “So don’t be sad.”
Salutatorian Olivia Andrews, who according to her principal was known for her beautiful prom dresses, encouraged her fellow classmates to hold themselves to a higher standard and never be afraid to accept help from others.
“Individuals can bring change, but there is power in a group,” Andrews said. “It’s vital to try your hardest and give back.”
According to Langford, the senior class logged a combined total of 4,000 community service hours giving back to the community.
Superintendent Don Thomas awarded the seniors with diplomas, as beach balls were blown up and tossed around by members of the senior class still in their seats. The memorable ceremony also included a large group of motorcycle riders, who came to support a graduate, cranking up their engines and revving them up to a deafening roar when the senior’s name was called.
Just before the seniors walked slowly across the football field to toss their caps in the air, senior OJ George, who Langford said, “has the strongest morals and values I’ve ever seen” prayed over the graduates, speaking about his own relationship with Jesus Christ.