Clarksville, TN – The Academy for Academic Excellence held it Class of 2018 Graduation and Awards Ceremony recently at First Baptist Church.
The evening began with a performance by the Music For Mercy Band, as friends and families of this year’s seven graduating seniors entered the venue. The band was formed after the passing of AAE’s Founder and Director Mercy Yrabedra in 2012, to honor her legacy as a musician and educator.
The procession of AAE’s faculty and graduates began with the playing of Verdi’s Aida Grand March, and continued with the traditional Pomp and Circumstance, as the Class of 2018 seniors found their way to the front row.
Trey Cook delivered the invocation, then, Tennessee State Representative Joe Pitts delivered opening remarks and words of encouragement to the packed venue.
Christian Harris, one of AAE’s 2018 graduates took the podium next to read The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. His recitation was followed by an AAE Choir performance that saw students of all ages take the stage, under the direction of Lynne Halliburton, and sing four songs of inspiration and celebration.
AAE’s Director Charlene Lollar, and Assistant Director Elsa E. Morales presented awards to some of the school’s younger students. Ethan Paul Daniel received the Perfect Attendance award. Kaleb Christian VanHook and Jacob H. Farabaugh were presented with Outstanding Citizen awards.
At this time, Lollar, Morales, and Alumni Parent Jacquelyn Carrey began the presentation of diplomas. Each graduate received their diploma, along with red and white roses. The red roses were subsequently given to their parents to thank them for their support. The white roses were then placed on a chair that sat on the stage, in memory of School Founder, Mercy Yrabedra.
“Mercy Yrabedra’s robe lays on her favorite chair,” Lollar said. “We place that chair and robe on the stage each year, because it’s important to remember, that without her, none of us would be here.
“This was a group of hard-working, dedicated students. Hopefully, they will go on to great things in the future, and make use of their experience at AAE. We hope they will hold their heads high, work hard, and like the songs that we sang, fly like an eagle, and walk like a lion.”
Photo Gallery
