THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 12, 1996 TAG: 9606110154
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY ALLISON WILLIAMS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 204 lines
Donning mortarboards and flowing robes, dozens of Isle of Wight County teenagers cross the threshold of adulthood this month as they graduate from the county's two private schools and two public high schools.
Graduation exercises for Isle of Wight Academy and Peninsula Christian School have been held.
Windsor High graduates will receive their diplomas at 7 p.m. tonight in the school auditorium.
Graduation exercises for Smithfield High will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursdayin the school auditorium.
Students have been given tickets for family and friends who may want to attend.
Following are profiles of four typical Isle of Wight County high school graduates:
Delvin Bowden, Smithfield High, son of Barbara Jean and TerranceElander Clarke.
Bowden plans to go on to Norfolk State University, where he wants to major in education and become an active member there of the Reserve Officers Training Corps. Bowden was active through four years of high school at Smithfield in the junior ROTC.
J Rawls, Windsor High class of `96, is the son of Johnny and Mary Sue Rawls.
Although his legal name is John, he prefers going by simply J, something he hopes will catch on when he attains his goal of becoming a professional sports announcer.
For the past two years, Rawls has been ``the voice of the Dukes,'' announcing the school's football and basketball games. Rawls said recently that he plans to first attend a community college and go on to a four-year university, where he hopes to study radio and television broadcasting.
Shannon Munford, Isle of Wight Academy, is the daughter of Joe and Anne Munford and Debbie and Eddie Spruill.
Next year, Munford plans to study elementary education at Christopher Newport College. She will be living at home, so she can continue volunteering with the Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad.
Peninsula Christian School graduate Jennifer Lynn Wright is the daughter of Carolyn and Jerry Wright.
Wright, who is salutatorian of her class, works as a dental assistant in Newport News.
Congratulations to them all! SMITHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Delvin Bowden.
Name: Delvin Bowden.
Birthdate/Hometown: Nov. 12, 1977, Smithfield.
This summer I will. . . Be working, trying to save some money for college.
Then what? I want to take up ROTC and eventually become an Army officer.
The teacher I will always remember is. . . Mrs. G. Stancill.
Because. . . She was always there when I needed her. She never turned me away, helped me with my problems, praised me when I did something good and scolded me when I misbehaved. She never let me settle for mediocrity.
And then, I'll never forget that teacher who. . . Bailed me out of In-School Suspension to come work in the office. I just want to say thank you.
The hardest thing about getting through high school was. . . Dealing with all the different attitudes, opinions and gossip.
Ten years from now, I will be. . . A military officer, have a wife, kids and a nice home somewhere in Paris. It's really nice over there, especially at night, when all the monuments are lit up.
When I come back to my first reunion, I will always remember this about my senior year: I will always think of my class as one big family. We had our ups and downs, but we shared them together.
If I didn't do anything else in high school, I. . . know I left at least one smile on every person's face.
I hope everybody forgets that time I embarrassed myself by. . . falling out of the back of the bus coming home from the senior trip.
What's your favorite hangout? Anywhere my friends are.
What's your favorite way to spend a night out with friends? Going to a really good party.
What bit of advice would you like to leave with the upcoming senior class? Take things one day at a time because your senior year will be over before you know it. Also, try to get a good paying job your senior year because you are going to need the money and experience.
How did you make your mark on Smithfield High School? By greeting everyone with a great big smile and a witty comment.
Home is where. . . Anybody lets me fill my belly with a hearty meal, watch some television and get a good night's sleep.
As I travel the world, I will tell others I meet that Isle of Wight County is. . . A place of family and friends.
Something you wish to say but haven't: Thanks, everybody, and may God bless you all. WINDSOR HIGH SCHOOL J Rawls
Name: J Rawls.
Birthdate/Hometown: May 1, 1978, Zuni.
This summer I will. . . Work and spend time with my friends before we go to college.
Then what? I will start college.
The teacher I will always remember is. . . Mrs. Scott.
Because. . . She always believed in me and pushed me to do my best.
And then, I'll never forget that teacher who. . . Fell off the stage.
The hardest thing about getting through high school was. . . Passing Spanish.
Ten years from now, I will be. . . 28.
When I come back to my first reunion, I will always remember this about my senior year: All my friends and how much I miss my high school days.
If I didn't do anything else in high school, I. . . Won a district championship in drama.
I hope everybody forgets that time I embarrassed myself by. . . Saying ``Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance'' instead of the national anthem at a football game.
What's your favorite hangout? Tower Mall.
What's your favorite way to spend a night out? Movies and shopping.
What bit of advice would you like to leave with the upcoming senior class? Don't screw up!
How did you make your mark on Windsor High School? By being the voice of the Dukes.
Home is where. . . All your stuff is.
As I travel the world, I will tell others I meet that Isle of Wight County is. . . A beautiful little hick place with lots to offer.
Something you wish to say but haven't: I hope that everyone enjoys their high school years and makes the best of them. PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOLS Shannon Munford
Name: Shannon Munford.
Birthdate/Hometown: Dec. 15, 1977, Smithfield.
This summer I will. . . Work at Revco and at Isle of Wight Academy's daycare center. When I'm not working, I plan on hanging out with my friends.
Then what? In the fall, I will attend Christopher Newport University.
The teacher I will always remember is. . . Mrs. Brock.
Because. . . She never counted me tardy in the mornings and has this bird (a magnet with a pointed beak) that balanced on my nose.
And then, I'll never forget that teacher who. . . Made us pretend to be trees and shrubs. The point? I'll never know!
The hardest thing about getting through high school was. . . Not having enough time to do everything I wanted to do.
Ten years from now, I will be. . . A teacher, hopefully married to a man in uniform, and have a cute little kid.
When I come back to my first reunion, I will always remember this about my senior year: The water-gun fight on our last field trip. All the girls looked like drowned rats!
If I didn't do anything else in high school, I. . . made friends and memories that will last a lifetime.
I hope everybody forgets that time I embarrassed myself by. . . Hitting a dog as large as a car. He was so big that I slid across the floor and fell right into the hot tub instead of stepping in like everyone else.
What's your favorite hangout? Applebee's and the firehouse.
What's your favorite way to spend a night out with friends? Dinner at Applebee's and dancing at Country World.
What bit of advice would you like to leave with the upcoming senior class? Work hard and have fun. It doesn't last long.
How did you make your mark on Isle of Wight Academy? I think I left the longest list of homeroom tardies ever seen at Isle of Wight - except for the one left by my best friend, Tiffany!
Home is where. . . I hang my rescue squad uniform.
As I travel the world, I will tell others I meet that Isle of Wight County is. . . the best place to live in the whole wide world, even though it sometimes smells bad when the pigs are out! Jennifer Wright
Name: Jennifer Lynn Wright.
Birthdate/Hometown: April 14, 1978, Smithfield.
This summer I will. . . Work as a dental assistant at a dentist office.
The teacher I will always remember is. . . Mrs. Phyllis Booth.
Because. . . I knew she would always be there for me no matter what happened.
And then, I'll never forget that teacher who. . . Was always fun to hang around: Mrs. Leann Bell. She was just like one of us.
The hardest thing about getting through high school was. . . Pushing myself to do better and better.
Ten years from now, I will be. . . Married and still working as a dental assistant.
When I come back to my first reunion, I will always remember this about my senior year: We all had different personalities, which made classes quite interesting. Somehow, we got past our personalities and became good friends.
If I didn't do anything else in high school, I. . . Made a lot of friends and had a blast hanging around them.
What's your favorite hangout? My fiance's house.
What's your favorite way to spend a night out with friends? Any way is fine as long as we have a place to hang out and talk.
What bit of advice would you like to leave with the upcoming senior class? Study hard, and be true to your friends. This is your last year in high school, so live it up!
As I travel the world, I will tell others I meet that Isle of Wight County is. . . A great place to live because of how small it is. That makes it easier to get out and meet people.
Something you wish to say but haven't: I am going to miss my senior classmates and all my friends at school. I wish all of you luck and happiness in all that you do! MEMO: [For a list of all graduates, see microfilm for this date.] ILLUSTRATION: [Cover, Color photo]
ALL HAIL THE CLASS OF 1996
Staff photo, including the cover, by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Delvin Bowden plans to go to Norfolk State University.
Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
J Rawls won a district championship in drama.
Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Shannon Munford will attend Christopher Newport University.
Jennifer Lynn Wright plans to become a dental assistant.
KEYWORDS: GRADUATION by CNB