Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 15, 1990 TAG: 9006150477
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: BEDFORD/FRANKLIN
SOURCE: CHRISTINA A. SAMUELS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BEDFORD LENGTH: Medium
There was minor confusion after the invocation by Jeffrey Lynn Moorman when members of the audience sat down, only to be immediately brought to their feet for the pledge of allegiance.
Three candles on the speaker's platform were lighted in honor of the students in the class who died: Kaisone Thipsonphou, Kristen Thompson and Mary Beth Williams.
David Russell Bobbitt, Liberty's valedictorian, has been in the news recently for his academic prowess.
Bobbitt is a Presidential Scholar, one of only two in Virginia.
He will also be attending the University of Virginia on a prestigious Jefferson Scholarship.
However, Bobbitt's talents go further than academics.
He got to show off his singing skills in a duet, "If We Hold On Together," with Dawn Eleanor Cherebin.
Instead of a class speaker, the commencement featured the address of four students on the theme, "A Quarter of a Century of Tradition."
Rhonda Jo Bowles spoke on "Tradition," Tohnya Yvette Delong on "Fraternity," Tonya Renee Zinn on "Equality," and Bobbitt on "Liberty."
All four are honor graduates.
Zinn, who will be attending West Virginia Tech, received both an academic diploma and a vocational diploma in drafting.
Many students received awards at the ceremony.
DeLong received a book scholarship from the Life Organization.
Zinn received a scholarship from the Bedford Business and Professional Women's Organization.
Kelly Suzanne Lam received the first Arnold McCoy Memorial Scholarship and the Kristen Robinson Memorial Scholarship.
Dana Michele Hawkins received an award for the Thaxton Elementary PTA.
Tracy Renee Brotherton received an award from Bedford County Dixie Softball.
Moorman received the William C. Chaney scholarship.
Brotherton and Michael David Norton received the Lions Club Award. Norton also received the Bedford Senior Citizen Award.
Rebecca Mary Pawlas received the Mary Davidson Bryan scholarship.
A special award was presented to Bobbitt for his academic achievements.
by CNB