Graduates ready for final ceremony in Fayette By
PAT NEWMAN Commencement for the class of 2000 is just two days away for more than 1,200 seniors graduating from Fayette County's four public high schools. Ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. Friday at McIntosh, Starr's Mill and Fayette County high schools and 6 p.m. at Sandy Creek. This is Starr's Mill's first graduating class and the first commencement to take place in the new school stadium. “What's important about this class is that they came together and formed a new school and, with our help, set a high standard for other classes,” said Sam Sweat, Starr's Mill's principal. The class is a blending of students who started their high school careers at either McIntosh or Fayette County high. Sweat said 90 percent of the 280 graduates will go on to college. “We're really proud of the girls, and boys, soccer teams who took the title of state champions,” said Sweat. He also noted the that the boys wrestling team captured the state championship. Academically, Sweat estimated that Starr's Mill graduates raked in about $6.8 million in scholarships. Valedictorian for Starr's Mill's class of 2000 is Josh Weddle, son of Connie and Shelby Weddle of Peachtree City. Weddle is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, class of 2000 Executive Board, Key Club and Spanish Club. He will attend the University of Georgia in the fall and also has plans to study abroad. Asked what his best memories of high school were, Weddle said, “The prom, football, spring break in Destin and soccer.” To the rising seniors, Weddle advised, “Make the most of it while you're here.” He is employed by Partners Pizza in Peachtree City and in his free time Weddle enjoys basketball, lifting weights, learning Japanese and “hanging out with my friends.” Lisa Landis is Starr's Mill's salutatorian. She is the daughter of John and Sue Landis of Peachtree City. Landis played Lazer soccer for three years and Recreation Department basketball. She served on the class Executive Board, and also served on the math team, GAX, honor math team, science Olympiad team, basketball team, varsity soccer, Beta Club, National Honor Society, French Club, and this year's Board of Governors. She has tutored students for three years and mentored for one year. Landis will attend Washington and Lee University in the fall and has plans to study psychology and neuroscience. To the rising seniors, Landis advises, “Work hard and don't worry.” She will most treasure the “getting closer with all my friends.” Landis is employed by Publix and in her spare time she enjoys playing the piano and running. Sandy Creek's valedictorian is Aimee Baldwin. She is the daughter of Dale and Eileen Baldwin of Fayetteville. As a member of the school's marching band and All-State band, Baldwin played the flute and piccolo. She was a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society. Baldwin will attend Berry College and has some preliminary plans to study for a nursing degree. “I feel pretty prepared for college,” she said. Baldwin has taken at least two advanced placement courses during her senior year and advises rising seniors “not to shut down mentally” in their final year. She was awarded several scholarships, including one from Berry, one from the Georgia Miner's Association and a gift from the Melissa Segars Foundation. Mae Davenport is Sandy Creek's salutatorian. She is the daughter of Jan and Rick Davenport of Fayetteville. Davenport was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, German Club, math team, Key Club and Youth Club. She will attend Georgia Tech and pursue a degree in industrial engineering. “I worked hard all through high school and [being salutatorian] comes with all the work,” Davenport commented when asked about her number two ranking. She and classmate Baldwin attended their prom this past weekend at Fernbank. Spending time with friends and school-related trips are two of the things Davenport will remember about high school. She and her family are planning a trip to Hawaii to celebrate her graduation. When she returns, Davenport will work at the Hallmark store. Erin Bartels is McIntosh High School's valedictorian. She is the daughter of Diane and Kyle Bartels of Peachtree City. Her “absolute favorite” activity was cross country. Bartels was captain of her running team and co-captain of the swim team. In the academic arena, she was president of the German Club, member of the Spanish Honor Society, earned the Governor's Honor award and is a National Merit Scholar. Bartels will attend the University of Richmond and plans to major in English, history and a foreign language. She is a recipient of the Oldham Scholarship. Asked about her best high school memories, Bartels said, “Cross country and the state championships.” After spending the last two summers in Germany as an exchange student, Bartels said she is looking forward to spending time with her family before heading off to college. Salutatorian at McIntosh is Heather Dockstader. She is the daughter of Janet and Steven Dockstader of Peachtree City. She belonged to the Beta Club, National Honor Society, was a National Merit Scholar and co-captain of the girls volleyball team. She will attend Colgate University and plans to study zoology and animal psychology. Dockstader said her best school memories include “playing volleyball and running regionals for three years. Her advice to the rising seniors is: “Don't stress; have fun.” She will spend the summer working as a counselor at a girls equestrian camp on Lookout Mountain. Abby Anderson is valedictorian at Fayette County High School. She is the daughter of Jeff and Rhonda Anderson of Fayetteville. Anderson played trumpet in the school's band for four years, was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. In the fall she will attend the University of Kentucky, where she plans to major in music performance and electrical engineering. Salutatorian is Lisa Plummer. She is the daughter of Robert and Dominique Plummer of Fayetteville. Plummer served as Beta Club president, Select Chorus president, National Honor Society treasurer and a member of the school's Executive Board. One of Plummer's best memories is singing “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” from Oklahoma in the recent variety show. Her advice to rising seniors, “Don't procrastinate.” Plummer will attend the University of Georgia and study biochemistry. She plans to become a pediatrician.
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