ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, June 12, 1996               TAG: 9606120023
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 

PULASKI COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Commencement: 7:59 tonight, Pulaski County High School

21st class to graduate from the present building.

Valedictorian: John Warburton

Salutatorian: Carrie Ratcliffe

Number of graduates: 333

Number going to college: 193

Number going into military: 20

Number going to work: 120

Class president: Brook Eley

Though he has been class president for the past two years, Brook Eley has no interest in politics outside of high school. "I like to do it at this level, dealing with students," he said. "It's not really about being a leader but about group activity. Everyone's involved."

But like a true leader, Eley will give a speech at tonight's ceremony.

"It's exciting. It's not incredible but it's exciting. Definitely a big step," Eley said.

Eley describes his class as not only having a lot of unity but also working well together and getting projects done. In the past four years, classmates have helped each other organize a prom, various fund-raisers and the graduation. The group also has performed several community services, including a road cleanup and a blood mobile at the school.

"Community services were our biggest projects," Eley said.

Other major events included the senior class picnic and the senior skip day (officially called Senior College Day). Eley said most seniors went to Claytor Lake and brought out their boats and jet skis.

Eley, who was awarded Foreign Language Student of the Year, will attend the College of William and Mary in the fall along with two other students from his class.

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