by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — This morning 104 Wellington High School graduates will wake up as alumni of Wellington High School for the first time in their lives. Some will leave their hometown quickly, some will more on eventually, and some will stay put. But the Class of 2016 will never be together as a whole again.

The annual commencement ceremony was held in the WHS gymnasium Sunday afternoon in front of a capacity crowd. Fourteen Valedictorians made a combined speech including: Madison Adams, Ryleigh Buck, Addyson DeJarnett, Baylee DeJarnett, Dylan Jones, Jaylynn Luna, Allison McCue, Shelby McNamara, McKenna Oathout, Connor Phelps, Dietra Sober, Skyler Struble, Peyton Witham and Noelle Wright.

“We are all going to give Valedictorian speeches today and we promise to hold our speeches under 15 minutes,” said WHS Valedictorian Madi Adams. “Just kidding.”

Eight of the 14 Valedictorians gave short speeches going over their progress through high school years. As always there was the standard fair of marching in to “Pomp and Circumstances,” the Madrigals performing, the presentation of diplomas, the singing of the Alma Mater, the turning of the tassels, the throwing the caps in the air, the marching out and then the scattering to various graduation parties of wherever. Unlike Augusta High School, everyone managed to not shoot themselves.

Amongst all this, 26 seniors were recipients of scholarships given by local institutions and memorials. Here are the scholarship recipients: 

Loofbourrow Education Trust Scholarship – Dietra Sober.

Sicily Evelyn Zeka Memorial Scholarship – Skyler Struble.

Stewart Charitable Trust Scholarship – Addyson DeJarnett and Connor Phelps.

Rotary Scholarship – Emily Baum.

Edwin Wingate Scholarship – Shane Hughes.

Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Chase Educational Trust – Bailey DeJarnett.

Sumner Regional Medical Center Scholarship – Abby Goodrum, Taylor Zimmerman.

Lena M. Rush Scholarship – Jacob Cook, Haley Farley.

Chris Glamann Scholarship – Patrick Hollman.

Wellington Lions Club Scholarship – Cameron Sanchez.

Durham School Services Scholarship – Jozie Caudillo, Aareon Mason.

French Scholarship Fund – Madison Adams.

Jeff Bevan Scholarship – Cameron Bartelson.

W.H. Schwinn American Legion Scholarship – Wesley Gilmore.

Kenneth C. Larimore Memorial Scholarship – Graysen DeJarnett.

Flora E. and Basil Martin American Legion Scholarship – Allison McCue.

Women’s Auxiliary of American Legion Unit #90 Scholarship – Mariah Moore.

Flossie Koontz Scholarship – Auni Williams.

Gladys Clark Memorial Scholarship – Jasmine Wager, Faith Marie Shapley-Queen.

G.I. Roberts, Alice Roberts and Robert H. Roberts Scholarship – McKenna Oathout.

Reinecker Memorial Scholarship – Ryleigh Buck, Jace Lowe.

Lela Cobb Scholarship – Rong Ni.

Dick and Alice Wilson Scholarship – Shelby Hunter McNamara.

Cornerbank Scholarship – Wyatt Witmer.

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