Schools
Class of 2008: Chesterfield Community
By Nick DeRatto
Jun 18, 2008 - 4:28:30 PM

Joyful Community grads throw their caps in the air.

Seniors bid a fond farewell to high school as Chesterfield County kicked off their graduation ceremonies on June 4 with Chesterfield Community High School’s ninth annual commencement.

From the graduating class of 82 students, including an additional 62 who were also honored during the ceremony as recipients of their General Education Development Diploma, Nicholas Wingfield was recognized as this year’s valedictorian and Jorel Coleman as the salutatorian.

Among seniors earning their diplomas, a number were further honored as recipients of prior awards. Wingfield was named the WRIC TV 8 Best of Class and Sarah Adair and Justin Rice were both Chester Rotary Essay Contest winners. Twin brothers Jerrod and Sherrod Allen each earned huge scholarships from Roane Community College, totaling $32,600 apiece, while ReKeisha Shelton earned an equally impressive Ferrum College Merit Grant in the amount of $14,000 as well the CIS Dr. Billy K. Cannaday Scholarship for $1,000.

Other students honored during the ceremony included Coleman for the James B. Friend Masonry Scholarship, Woman’s Club of Chester Scholarship, Chester Rotary Club Scholarship and Kiwanis Club of Chester Scholarship; Constance Miller for a scholarship from Bryant & Stratton; Anthony Hopkins for an ECPI scholarship and Imagine America scholarship; Xavier Darden for the Carver High Class of ’61 Scholarship; Megan Maxwell for the Robert S. Ukrop scholarship; Teerra Jones for the CIS William E. Milliken scholarship; and Wingfield for the Midlothian Rotary Club scholarship.

In addition to these winners, one student received special recognition for his dedication to finishing high school. After being diagnosed with cancer, Julius Taylor continued to attend school and keep up with his work even while undergoing chemotherapy. For this dedication, he was awarded with the Overcoming, Achieving, and Dreaming scholarship, which will also now be named after him.

Along with recognizing students for their achievements, faculty at the school took time to honor principal and founder of Community, Jamie Accashian, as he will be retiring at the end of this school year. To commemorate his years of service to the school, faculty presented Accashian with a golden eagle statue, the mascot of Community. In addition, a scholarship was started in his name, the Jamie Accashian Scholarship, and was awarded to graduate Daniel Culver in the amount of $3,000.

A replay of the Chesterfield Community graduation ceremony can be viewed on Wednesday, June 18 at 11 a.m. on Comcast Channel 96 or Verizon Channel 26.

nderatto@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421


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