Summer school students put finishing
touches on diplomas

By PAT NEWMAN
pnewman@thecitizennews.com

Twenty-eight jubilant students received their high school diplomas Tuesday morning after finishing summer school at Starr's Mill High.

Fayette County schools assistant Superintendent Fred Oliver addressed the students and their families, borrowing some no-nonsense advice from Microsoft founder Bill Gates: “Life's not fair; get used to it. The world will not care about your self esteem... you won't make $40,000 or $50,000 right out of school... flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity...” He concluded with a personal directive, “Life is there for the taking; grab it today.”

The class of 2000 included Iman Al-Amin, Daniel Tait Best, Christine Michelle Bevillard, Rico Lamar Blackmon, Brittany Nicole Brown, Erin Marie Burley, James Lee Canning, Jennifer Lind Clark, LizJahn Sabur Clark, Nathan Tainui Clark, Joshua David Crawford, Matthew Jonathan Elmore, Holly Ann Gancel, Harriet Hernandez Gates, Spencer Hugh Hutchison, Kevin Richard Kane, Randall Derek Knowles, Michael Thomas Lipiatos, David Britt New, Rekeia Nicole Norwood, Michael Ryan O'Hare, Joshua Allen Ray, Aisha Lee Rex, Julianne Lee Scasny, Marcus James Scott, Kelly Lynn Seitz, Carlos Trumaine Sparks and Jason Joseph Tatum.

The 30-minute ceremony in Duke Auditorium recognized students from all five high schools, including the evening high. The graduation robes worn by the students designated their school colors.

A reception honoring the graduates followed in the hall.