MV-E graduates have big plans for the future

Mount Vernon-Enola High School proudly sent 26 graduates forth to their futures Friday night.

The class had a high percentage of honor graduates, and a majority had a grade point average of at least 2.75. Graduates were eager to discuss their plans.

Steven Combs, son of Bobby and Sarah Combs, said he will get a job this summer and then attend Arkansas State University at Beebe. He plans to study criminal justice.

Regarding leaving high school behind, he said, "I'm going to miss playing basketball and my girlfriend" (who is a junior at the school).

Josh McNew, son of Jr. and Sheila McNew, said he plans to play a lot of golf this summer and enroll in the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He will work toward becoming a registered nurse.

"Right now, I'm pretty excited, but after, I'm sure I'll miss (high school)," he said.

Nic West, son of Charles and Carmen West, works at Michelangelo's and will take a second job at Virco this summer, he said. He will start school at UALR in the fall. He already has an associate's degree in health sciences from ASU Beebe, which he started working on concurrently with his high school diploma at age 15, he said. West hopes to be a doctor, and so he will likely major in biology, chemistry or biochemistry, he said.

"I've waited for it a long time, so I'm kind of happy," he said of graduation. "I think I'll miss (high school), but I'll get over it."

Patricia "PJ" Irish, daughter of French and Cindy Irish, said she will further her learning at the University of Central Arkansas and study either occupational therapy or physical therapy.

"I'm kind of sad," she said. "Going on to the next step I'm glad and happy, but I'm having to leave it all behind."

Helen Thompson, daughter of Bill and Lynn Thompson, said she is starting her next chapter at Central Baptist College.

"I kind of want to be a journalist, but I don't know for sure," she said.

As for her feelings about graduating, she added, "I'm sad and excited at the same time."

Taylor Hawkins, daughter of Byron and Leisa Hawkins, said she will attend ASU Beebe and major in zoology. She said with her degree she will "maybe travel in different countries and study animals in their habitats."

"I've been interested in animals since I was little," she said.

Hawkins said of graduation, "It's a little sad. I'm going to miss everyone."

Mount Vernon-Enola High School Principal Rudy Beavers said of the class of 2009, "I think as a class they are the smartest class we've had in a long time. That's reflected in the 10 honor graduates (out of 26 total graduates). There are several very bright kids in the group. This class has kind of bonded together and followed the good examples."

He noted 18 of the 26 graduates have a 2.75 GPA or higher.

"That's taking the smart core curriculum," Beavers said.

He also said there is a new designation, highest honors, for students with a 3.9 or higher, which 5 of the 10 honor graduates attained.

"I'm going to miss this group, probably more than most," Beavers said. "Academically, that's an excellent group. An honor graduate at Mount Vernon-Enola is an honor graduate, not just someone whose GPA has been padded."

(Staff writer Rachel Parker Dickerson can be reached by e-mail at rachel.dickerson@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1277. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)