Harper Graduating Largest Class Ever

Jun 04, 2008 - 15:37:55 CDT.

Harper High School’s largest-ever class of seniors is due to receive diplomas Friday in 7:30 p.m. commencement exercises at the school gymnasium.

The record number of graduates -- 52 -- reflects the school’s enrollment growth in recent years, resulting in promotion by the University Interscholastic League next fall to Class 2A classification.

Helping lead Friday’s commencement ceremonies will be 2008 HHS Valedictorian Claire Jones, daughter of Clayton and Danita Jones, along with Salutatorian Oren Draznin, son of Moe and Lin Draznin.

Miss Jones has been active in sports, clubs and various organizations throughout her time at Harper High School. She has competed as a member of the varsity volleyball, varsity track and varsity cross country teams, while also taking on extracurricular roles in UIL, FFA, the Spanish Club, the Science Club, Student Council, PALS, the National Art Honor Society and the National Honor Society. She served as secretary for the Class of 2008.

She has been the recipient of numerous academic awards and has plans to attend Texas Tech to study international business in the fall.

Draznin has participated in the National Honor Society, the HHS Student Council, FFA and UIL. He has also won numerous awards, including being an active member of this year’s state-winning science team. Following graduation, Draz-nin has plans to attend Texas A&M University where he will major in nuclear engineering.

Both Draznin and Miss Jones will provide addresses during Friday night’s ceremony.

Those two will lead a processional of the following candidates for graduation (*denotes honor graduate): Savannah Marie Alizadeh, Christopher Anthony Ayala, Cutter Bill Bernhard*, Amber Michelle Bowlin*, Brittany Danielle Brand*, Jeffrey Carl Butterworth*, Andrew Marc Chevalier*, Benjamin David Cobb*, Elyssa Neilani Cosper, Ross Wayne Crenwelge and Jaci Nicole Crowe*.

Also, Parker Wyatt Daniel, Cory Brian Davis*, Jenea JoLee Esquell, Daniel Antonio Flores, James Allan Folsom, Mackenzie Jill Haag*, Jaylyn Darcy Hagen*, B.F. Hammons, Christian Blake Herring*, Audrey Nicole Hobson*, Mindy Danelle Kleespies, Patrick Kelby Kneese, Tyler William Krueger*, Robert Alvin Kruse* and Colin Michael Lee*.

In addition, Hannah Ruth Leinweber*, Felipe Alberto Lopez, Michael Seth Moseley, Ruthann Marie Mounce*, Rolando Benaventes Mujica, Jamie Elizabeth Nigh, Jesse Thomas Ovard, Deborah Jane Parker, Melanie Diane Pascarella*, Joshua Delaney Ramsey*, Kaitlin Marie Rangel* and Addam August Schraub.

And, Megan Lynn Shepherd*, Katey Lynn Skains, Brittany Brooke Tatsch*, Jeremy William Tatsch, Timothy Gene Thompson, Michelle Leanne Tooman, Joshua B. Treiber*, Shane Alan Untermeyer, Margaret Ashley Vaughn*, Tiffany Alexandria Williams, Samuel Elias Winters* and Alyssa Marie Wright*.

Serving as leadership for this class were officers: Kaitlin Rangel, president; Andrew Chevalier, vice president; Claire Jones, secretary; Draznin, treasurer, and Colin Lee, reporter.

Sponsoring the seniors this year were Melissa Herring, Ronnie Lumpkins, Susan McMahon and Julie Vannoy.

The HHS seniors chose a white rose as their “Class Flower”, black, silver and blue as their “Class Colors”, “Inertia” as their “Class Song” and Melanie Pascarella and Andrew Chevalier as their “Class Favorites”.

The “Class Motto” is:

“When opportunity doesn’t’ knock … build a door!”