ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, June 7, 1996                   TAG: 9606070031
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 

CHRISTIANSBURG HIGH SCHOOL

Commencement: 8 tonight, Christiansburg High School

21st to graduate from present building;

87th class to graduate from Christiansburg area

Valedictorian: Helen Smartt

Co-Salutatorians: Sarah Evans and Christa Hilt

Number of graduates: 181

Number going to college: 134

Number going into military: 6

Number going to work: 39

Undecided: 3

Class President: Vanessa Knowles

These seniors are ready.

"I think we've had senioritis for half the year," said Knowles, who plans to attend Virginia Tech this fall. "Last year, we couldn't understand what the seniors were talking about, but now we get it."

Knowles said the class has had several senior skip days this spring that weren't exactly approved by the administration.

"The last few weeks, everybody kind of stopped functioning in school anyway," she said.

Knowles said her class is diverse, with a wide variety of attitudes, personalities and talents. She said she's looking forward to the 10-year reunion to see how people change and what paths they choose.

"We'll have so much to talk about, I think we'll always be close with our high school friends."

The theme for their graduation is "This days is ours for one moment," a sentiment Knowles will try to weave into her welcome speech.

"It's kind of like the last four years seemed to drag on forever and now we have this one moment," she said. "All the work we've done, everything has led up to today."

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