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May 3, 2016 - (Photo Album) - A community sponsored event was hosted honoring 12 Center High School Seniors who make a difference at a banquet held on Monday, May 2, 2016 at the John D. Windham Civic Center.
The evening's emcee was the ever eloquent Chris Watlington who always brings gaiety to any event while doing honor to those who highlight the evening.
"This is one you're going to remember. When you look back 10, 15, 20 years, 30 years from now this is going to be a night that you look back on and go, 'wow, I didn't see that coming. I didn't know what was gonna happen. So glad I was a part of that.'"
The banquet and the evening opened with a meal prepared by Center ISD, assisted by Culinary Art students and sponsored by the Center Rotary Club. He gave a history of the event and during its infancy the high school was located on Kennedy Street. John Tomlin, county judge and insurance salesman, had seen something similar to the 12 Seniors Who Make a Difference and saw that it was good. Watlington related that the focus of the event was not to recognize strictly athletic prowess or academic achievement, but excellence of character.
Watlington was present during its inception and he shared Tomlin knew there would likely be more than 12 students who met the standard of selection; however, that was where the teachers would be necessary to select the 12 and in turn those students selected would choose 12 teachers who have made a difference to them. In turn, the community would throw an event in honor of those chosen, at no cost to the school. The event has continued for two decades since it began.
Matt Gregory, Center High School Principal, introduced those students who fit the criteria and the teachers they selected included: Jaime Cervantes, student; Adam Ramirez, teacher; Brianna Cox, student; Jennifer Fausett, teacher; Julie Garcia, student; Leon Dykes, teacher; Chloe Gipson, student; Kara Gregory, teacher; LaMarcus Goodwin, student, Marlin Cloudy, Jr., teacher; Brylee Hendricks, student, Pam Franklin, teacher; Santiago Leon, student, Cherry Murphree, teacher; Macy Mayo, student; Kara Gregory, teacher; Dacorey McGee, student; Alex Cloudy, teacher; Malory Nehring, student, Beth Nichols, teacher; Mallory Sims, student; Christina Smith, teacher; Zoey Stuever, student; Michael Elder, teacher.
Each student and teacher in turn took to the podium and regaled the audience with their experiences and knowledge of one another. The evening had all the elements of a comedy-drama as a roller coaster of emotions was demonstrated through eruptions of laughter and the shedding of tears. Teachers and students alike expressed their fond and proud regard for one another, as they shared favored memories and well-wishes for the future.
"This means something, this what we do means something. Teachers when you feel like you just want to black out the world, tonight you said, 'you know these kids get me through a bad day,' don't black out the world, keep doing what you do, this means something," said Watlington. "Students, that lump in your throat because these teachers mean something to you, hey college is gonna mean the same thing. Your career is going to mean the same thing, because your the type people that stuff means stuff to you. Don't ever turn that out, make the next thing mean just as much. In other words, go out and find what it is that you do, and do it well."
The banquet was sponsored by Center Rotary Club who provided the meal, Tomlin Insurance, ShelbyCountyToday.com who provided the photos, JBA Financial, Scull Timber, Bounds Insurance, Bird & Crawford Forestry. Special thanks to Center High School Agriculture Horticulture Class and Culinary Art Students.
