Rachel Goettert Staton had a message Saturday for Polk County Early College’s Class of 2018 — “you are special.”

To each of the 10 members of PCEC’s graduating class, Staton repeated that message, adding notes on why she considered each student to be so.

It brought a unique, personal touch to the graduation ceremony, held at the Tryon Fine Arts Center with family and friends eagerly watching and awaiting the culmination of each graduate’s journey from elementary school to commencement.

That journey reached its destination shortly before noon, as Polk County Board of Education Chairman Geoffrey M. Tennant pronounced the class as having fulfilled all requirements for graduation and issued the directive for each student to turn the tassel on his or her cap.

Giddily, they did so.

The hour-long ceremony included speeches by valedictorian Taylor McKenzie Warren and saluatorian Gordon M. Veser, as well as a special address by graduate Carisa Mckaye Sellers honoring PCEC faculty member DeShannon Briscoe.

PCEC college advisor Matt Renn and Polk County Schools Superintendent Aaron Greene also addressed the graduates and crowd.

– Submitted by PolkStudents.com

PCEC CLASS OF 2018

Caleb Henry Lane Blackwell

Caleb Lee Cantrell

Reagan McKinley Heatherly

James Matthew Loman

Carisa Mckaye Sellers

Mckenzie Alexis Staley

Braeden Eli Sullivan

Gordon M. Veser

Taylor McKenzie Warren

Autumn Sky Wilson