Bill Murray introduced at Encampment graduation
Harold Jackson, Valedictorian of the Encampment School's graduating class of 2015, introduces star Bill Murray onto the stage in a "made you look" moment during the commencement ceremony. See more photos on page 7.
Encampment Class of 2015 graduates throw their caps during the commencement ceremony last Saturday.
Faculty and family gathered Saturday night to honor the Class of 2015. The seven high school graduates from Encampment K-12 School were decked out in their red and black gowns and caps as they took the stage, each holding a tiger lily, the class flower. Class President Brett Ralston gave the welcoming address followed by the Salutatorian address by Luke Pantle.
Liz Wood, publisher of the Saratoga Sun, gave the commencement address to the class where she reflected on her years covering the Encampment school athletics and the enjoyment she has had watching the students grow over the years.
Valedictorian Harold Jackson rounded out the nights speeches with a heartfelt and amusing valedictorian address where Jackson gave special thanks to his mother and to Randy Boykin, whom Jackson said, "is the closest thing to a father I have." Jackson also reminisced and thanked his fellow graduates for the many memories they have shared during their time together. Jackson also gave thanks to the "amazing teachers and members of the community," like Deb Burke, who helped the students follow their college aspirations, or Mary Martin, who was "by far, the loudest person at our games," and Leslie McLinsky, "who has gone out of her way to me more than a teacher to all of us."
Jackson pulled off a convincing "senior prank" when he introduced the star of Ghostbusters and Garfield, Bill Murray, to the stage which made most in attendance look toward the back of the room before Jackson snickered as he revealed the joke saying, "sorry, I lied ... That's our senior prank."
Jackson finished up his speech with some tongue in cheek words of wisdom, 'You can't use a rope to push a car up a hill." Jackson said he learned the words of wisdom from, "A man that you probably don't know, but I call him Bobby Toucan."
After pausing for laughter and applause, Jackson elaborated on his odd words of wisdom, "what I think Good Ol' Bobby was trying to say is that when life gets tough, just take a second. Then untie the rope from the back, walk to the front, and tie it to that car and pull."
Jackson called upon the class 2015 to pull themselves through every open door and to pull themselves up when life knocks them down."
The graduating class of 2015 are Isaac Dugger, Harold Jackson, Courtney James, Luke Pantle, Brett Ralston, Jamie Stradley and Darion Vacher.
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