Seventy-seven receive diplomas from PCHS

Dunmore, WV – Seventy-seven graduates received diplomas at the Pocahontas County High School commencement ceremony on Saturday. Graduates expressed happiness to move on with their lives and confidence as they embark into the world as adults.

David Irvine, son of David Irvine and Kim Wade, plans to get a job and is considering enlisting in the military for its generous educational benefits.

“Well, it’s going to be a new experience,” he said. “I mean, proud about it. I’m kind of scared facing the real world but it’s going to happen one way or the other. I think I’ll do just fine but, like I said, I’m a little bit scared.”

“I’m planning on going to work somewhere for awhile and then maybe going into the Army or the Marines and then continuing my schooling.”

Lindsey Kinder, daughter of Mary and Tom Kinder, leaves Pocahontas High with a desire to help people, and plans to become a nurse.

“I’m excited,” she said. “I’m going to D&E and getting a degree in nursing. I’ve just always wanted to help people – I just always have.”

James McComb, son of Morgan and Kim McComb, is ready to go to work driving trucks.
“I’m pretty excited,” he said. “I’m glad that I’m finally out of school now and ready to move on and get a job and start working. It’s just everyday life and that’s how it’s supposed to be lived is work. People are supposed to pull their own weight in the economy. It doesn’t happen very much anymore.”

McComb says he’ll miss high school “a little bit.”

“Oh yeah, probably a little bit,” he said. “I won’t get to see my good friends as much as I did before. I would say most of them will leave, at least three or four years.”

Samantha Hefner says she’s confident to tackle the real world and won’t miss high school.

“I’m just excited to get it over with,” she said. “I’m ready for it, definitely. There’s no doubt about that.”

“I’m ready to see it [PCHS] in my rear-view mirror.”

Curtis Pyles, son of Bea Pyles and Teresa and Jeremy Cloaker, will miss Pocahontas High.

“It’s going to be different – I know that,” he said. “I’m going to miss it. All the good friends and all the memories I’ve made. It’s going to be scary but it’s going to be an adventure.”

“I’m going to be attending college at Fairmont State and running cross-country for them.”

Shawn Sharp, son of Steven and Hazel Sharp, is ready to get to work on the family farm.

“Well, I’m kind of glad to get out of school and get right into the workforce,” he said. “For me, I really love it – the career I’m taking – farming and forestry. It’s been in my family for generations.”

Gloria Jerome, daughter of Ann Jerome, plans to return to Pocahontas County after college.

“I’m excited, nervous, but just happy,” she said. “I’m going to get a bachelor’s degree at Davis and Elkins College and I plan to go to law school. I’ve always been interested in law and I just want to come back to the county to help – just to help further the county.”

“I’ve got confidence and I am confident in my classmates, too. So, we’ll all do good in the world.”

Females dominated academically in this year’s graduating class, scoring 11 of 16 honor graduates. The 2012 PCHS honor graduates were: Erin White, valedictorian; Chloe Bland and Summer Chestnut, co-salutatorians; Lyndsey Barlow, Alexander Griffith, Steven Halterman, Gloria Jerome, Sara Jonese, Lindsey Kinder, Seth Morgan, Andrew Myers, Erica Rebinski, Chasten Taylor, Chelsea Walker, Caleb Walkup and Virginia Wickham.

During the commencement ceremony, Rebinski performed “Whenever You Remember.”