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Jefferson High School commencement ceremony celebrates seniors’ hard work, dedication

By Toni Milbourne - For the Chronicle | May 26, 2023

Jefferson High School seniors Hannah Shanley, Haley Shanley, Myah Powell-Utley and T’Asya Jay share smiles in front of the Butcher Center on Sunday afternoon. Toni Milbourne

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Among smiles and some tears, over 350 Jefferson High School seniors concluded their years as Cougars, as they received their diplomas in Shepherd University’s Butcher Center on Sunday afternoon.

After anything but a traditional high school experience, these young men and women said they were ready to face life’s next challenges.

“We have battled much adversity and we have faced challenges which many high school graduates cannot say they faced,” said Ryan Hefner, senior class president. “But although we have not had the smoothest of high school careers, a little turbulence never stopped a plane from landing, so here we are, at our destination — graduation.”

“What’s interesting about our past is that it is unlike our parent’s high school years,” said Spencer Powell, class vice president. “We began our freshman year back at the bottom of the totem pole, . . . learning how to navigate around a new and bigger school.

“As soon as we felt like we were finding our place in the unfamiliar environment, COVID hit,” Powell said, remembering how at first the thought of missing a bit of school had seemed like a good idea.

Jefferson High School seniors Logan Jeeves, Matt Henry, Gabe Jennier and Chase Jenkins pose for a photo in the Butcher Center, as they wait for Commencement to begin on Sunday afternoon. Toni Milbourne

“But then, plans for all of us to attend classes virtually were arranged. It was very strange and I would not wish that on anyone,” Powell said, mentioning that sophomore year was a blur, as students were faced with more virtual school and the ever-present wearing of masks.

“It was like we lost a year of high school and memories,” Powell said, adding that as their junior year progressed, things returned to a semblance of normalcy.

“Then, all of a sudden, we’re seniors,” he said. “It feels like just yesterday we were introduced to each other; now, we’re saying goodbye. But it’s not really a goodbye — it’s a farewell until we meet again.”

The sentiment of a goodbye carried through the next segment of the graduation program, as Senior Class Historian Katrina Hernandez stepped forward to present the class scrapbook.

“Upon choosing who will receive the scrapbook, you have to consider who is a true Jefferson Cougar. This person was clear to us,” Hernandez said.

Al Lueck and Sue Edward, escorted by members of the Jefferson High School JROTC, step forward to receive the Senior Class Scrapbook from class historian Katrina Hernandez, in honor of Sara Lueck, JHS librarian who passed away earlier this spring. Toni Milbourne

According to Hernandez, the recipient of the 2023 scrapbook, the late Sara Lueck, had cared about Jefferson High School deeply and honestly.

“I think I can say that every student and staff member was touched by her kindness and her humor. She showed up to support students at every opportunity and most of all, she served as our school librarian for over 40 years,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez called Lueck’s husband, Al Lueck, and her twin sister, Sue Edward, to the stage to accept the scrapbook in her honor. She also gave them two vases of the class flower, lovingly named “The Mrs. Lueck Rose,” as the senior class stood together to offer applause, while wiping tears from their eyes.

But just as Sara Lueck was known for always sharing a bright outlook on life, members of the Jefferson High School Class of 2023 also decided to look with anticipation at the future, now that their high school careers had come to a close. Many mentioned looking forward to the fall, when they will travel to various colleges to begin pursuit of their career goals. Friends Holly Snyder, Jordan Gamble and Tori DeBaugh are all off to begin their studies in nursing, albeit at different institutions of higher learning. Snyder will study at Shepherd University, while Gamble will move on to Blue Ridge Community & Technical College and DeBaugh will travel across the state to Marshall University. Kyleigh Dillow, who joined her friends, said she will be attend Shepherd with Snyder, majoring in education.

Twins Hannah and Haley Shanley have chosen different paths, as they leave the halls of Jefferson High School behind. Hannah said she will study physical therapy, likely at Marshall University, while Haley’s career plans include pursing cosmetology studies at the Paul Mitchell School.

Wingate University, in North Carolina, will welcome two Jefferson grads, Myah Powell-Utley and T’Asya Jay, who plan to study exercise science and psychology, respectively.

Fellow seniors Matt Henry, Gabe Jennier and Chase Jenkins shared their plans as well. Henry will head off to Morgantown to pursue a civil engineering degree from West Virginia University, while Jennier will study emergency management at Liberty University and Jenkins will pursue a barbering career.

Despite looking ahead to what is next, Kathy Skinner, Jefferson County Board of Education president, told the graduates to enjoy the moment.

“This is your moment! Pause and think back about the last few years and the teachers, coaches and mentors that have influenced you. Then, go forth and do great things in the world,” Skinner said.