Class of 26 Senior Signing Day

As graduation week began, seniors at White County High School started strong with Senior Signing Day. Monday morning, they filled the gymnasium as the Ayers Foundation Trust and other high school faculty congratulated them on deciding their next step in life. Whether it be college, the workforce, or military service to our country, the seniors knew those who supported them throughout their high school career would continue to cheer them on.

The Ayers Foundation Trust’s stated mission is to improve the quality of life for rural Tennesseans through means such as education. This means supporting students as they decide where or how to get higher education. Principal Greg Wilson was proud of the work the school has done with the Foundation, citing the eased burden on the school’s own counselors. But more important than the Foundation itself were the seniors sitting in that gymnasium.

“It’s going to be a great day,” said Principal Wilson. “It’s going to be an exciting day. And once again, seniors, I am so proud of you- we are so proud of you.”

Senior Isabella Sackett gave a speech during Signing Day, too. Sackett has been the Student School Board Representative, and she spoke highly of the work the Ayers Foundation has done to help her. She described their counseling as “bringing clarity to my path.”

Superintendent Kurt Dronebarger also congratulated the seniors, cracking a joke about the large blue map of Tennessee and a comedic day of snow where White County was the only county not colored blue (since our schools did not let out for snow). Dronebarger talked about how the importance of test scores and benchmarks serves their purpose, but the truly important topic today was “what comes next.”

Suzanne Rushing and Betheny Frady then read out each student’s name and the commitment they placed after high school. One by one, students came up to sign a huge map of Tennessee with schools, the Armed Forces, or the workforce.

Congratulations, Seniors, and best of luck!