Messenger Intern

Thursday night was a night full of mixed emotions for Pike Liberal Arts’ Class of 2002. Held at 8 p.m. in Delaney Kervin Stadium on Dewight Ward Field, each member of the graduating class participated in a processional dressed in royal blue caps and gowns to the tune of "Pomp and Circumstance."

Paul Kirchharr gave the invocation shortly after the seniors walked to their seats. Anna Cathryn Garrott, Salutatorian, gave a speech stressing the impact of her memories made at PLA and the importance of cherishing those memories and used quotes from the movie "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off" and Robert Frost’s "The Road Not Taken."

Headmaster Larry Pickett introduced the guest speaker, Vice-president of Academics and Dean of Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Dr. Kenneth Deal. Dr. Deal, originally from Idaho, used the work "Paradise Lost" to give the class a sense of what is truly important in life.

"Freedom is exhilarating, but also very dangerous. I urge you all to take heed to what the angel in ‘Paradise Lost’ said to Adam and Eve. ‘Be lowly wise and think only what concerns thy being," Dr. Deal said, and then also stressed the importance of being happy, grateful and loving, because "being respectful and truly listening will do a whole lot more for you than hard work and talent."

Valedictorian Marie Thompson then spoke to her fellow classmates, teachers and parents, emphasizing the need for conviction, respect and courage to become successful in their future lives.

Mr. Larry Pickett then awarded each graduate by giving their diploma, smiling for a picture and then proceeded to put each tassel on each cap on it’s opposite side.

Lastly, Paul Kirchharr gave the benediction.