Joplin High School confers 373 diplomas

May 20, 2007 11:49 pm

— By Joe Hadsall
jhadsall@joplinglobe.com
Tina Moore said she is “one proud mama.”
Her son, Matthew Foley, was one of 373 graduates of Joplin High School who received their diplomas Sunday afternoon. Many of his family members helped fill Leggett & Platt Athletic Center at Missouri Southern State University for the commencement ceremonies.
“I’m so thrilled,” Moore said. “I know he struggled to get here. I’m one proud mama.”
Thousands of family members and friends turned out to see students in the class of 2007 graduate and enter the next major chapter in their lives.
Senior class Principal Jason Cravens and other school officials said the graduating students stood out for being outstanding leaders.
“The class of 2007 is full of friendship, sportsmanship, leadership, joy and moral integrity,” Cravens said. “We’ll miss them.”
During the ceremony, Cravens said that the class of 2007:
n Helped the school district become accredited with distinction for three years in a row.
n Had more graduates than any other Joplin graduating class.
n Earned about $1.5 million in scholarships and grants for college.
Graduates said they were excited about entering the next phase of their lives.
“Although our high-school days are at an end, we have much to look forward to,” said senior class president Justin Yeater during the ceremony. “Great things await us.”
Angie Long could barely contain her excitement about gradating. Standing in a side gym, in line before walking out, she was beaming and fidgeting with anticipation.
“This has been a lot of work, a lot of hard work,” Long said. “I’m going to actually walk and get my diploma.”
Graduates Cody and Cory Ward watched each other’s back throughout their high-school careers. Cory Ward said he spent plenty of time with Cravens, the senior class principal.
“Not only for being in trouble,” Cory Ward said. “But I was able to help out in the office, also.”
Cody Ward also got in his share of trouble, he said. Both said they were overwhelmed by the feeling of being finished with high school.
“We stuck through it,” Cody Ward said. “We watched each other’s backs.”
The fraternal twins are joining the military. Cory Ward said he is joining the Army and leaves in seven days for basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. Cody Ward leaves in two days for National Guard training at Fort Jackson, N.C.
Joshua Lee said he also plans to enter the military, by enlisting in the Air Force. If he decides not to enlist, he plans to pursue a degree in agricultural education from Allen County Community College in Iola, Kan.
“This has been four years of dedicating my life,” Lee said. “I’m ready to graduate, get out of Joplin and go to college.”
His mother, Lori McLaughlin, was one of many family members who watched him graduate.
“We’re taking up two rows,” she said. “We all got here at 2 p.m., so we’re sitting in the back, but we all got here.” The ceremonies started at 3 p.m.
Steven Watson, of Joplin, is a children’s pastor at Faith Assembly of God in Joplin. He was at the ceremony to watch several graduate, including his nephew, Foley.
“I’ve watched these kids grow up,” Watson said. “It means a lot to me to see them graduate.”
Many seniors said they will miss the friends they made while in high school.
“I’m sad that I won’t see many of these people again,” Jennifer Miranda said. “It’s also sad that I see people graduating now who I don’t even know.”
The road to graduation was not easy for all students. Foley said he didn’t know whether he was going to graduate until Thursday.
He credited Cravens, communications teacher Virginia Gormely and others for helping him graduate.
“(Cravens) helped me out a lot by writing referrals to keep me in line and harassing me to finish,” Foley said. “I have a lot of respect for all my teachers who helped me out to get here.”
JHS Principal Kerry Sachetta said this year’s seniors were outstanding in leadership and respect.
“This was a high-achieving class,” he said. “A vast majority of the students were social, respectful and got involved with issues at the school.”
Anne Sharp, school board president, said the class of 2007 is filled with students who are going to do incredible things.
“I know a lot of kids in this class,” she said. “These kids are going to blaze some trails.”


With honors

Of the 373 students who graduated Sunday from Joplin High School, 33 earned academic honors:
n Five summa cum laude students, who earned a grade-point average of 4.2 or higher.
n 16 magna cum laude students, who earned a GPA of 4.0 to 4.19.
n 12 cum laude students, with GPAs ranging from 3.09 to 3.85.
This is the first year Joplin has used this recognition program.

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