Jack County graduates Class of 2019

Almost simultaneously, all three Jack County schools hosted their 2019 graduation ceremonies Friday night.
The Jacksboro High School Class of 2019 saw 69 students walk across the stage with one absent due to family tragedy.
In his speech, JHS salutatorian Hoyt Nebgen referenced his own family’s tragedy, his mother’s death when he was 3-years old. He said his family perservered and he encouraged his classmates to do their best.
“In life, we have so many choices that we have to make. It will be our responsibility to make the right choice instead of the easy choice,” Nebgen said.
Valedictorian Carly Hart asked her classmates to consider Proverbs 3:20 and surround themselves with wise men instead of fools.
“Seek out your calling and try not to let your judgement get clouded by the outside world,” Hart advised.
Each year as the diplomas are awarded, the members of the class give the school superintendent a token of some kind in exchange for their diplomas. This year, the class gave Superintendet Dwain Milam a roll of quarters to be collected as a scholarship to be given to a graduating student in the class of 2020 in honor of the late Dennis Bennett, the former Jacksboro ISD superintendent killed in a car crash in March.
Before the graduates tossed their cap, Principal Brad Burnett took is first and last selfie with the class as next year, he will serve the district as assistant superintendent.
Bryson High School
“Go accomplish your dreams.”
Bryson Valedictorian Kayleigh Pippin’s words rang true Friday night as 24 Cowboys and Cowgirls walked the stage during their graduation. Pippin had fond memories during her speech, remembering how the class had to relate everything to SpongeBob Square Pants.
She thanked family and friends for raising all graduates.
“Be confident in the great people you have helped raise,” Pippin said. “WE could not have made it without you.”
In her closing remarks, Pippin reminded her classmates of the marks they have left behind locally.
“We’ve left our marks on the school and community,” Pippin said. “Now it’s time to leave our marks on the world.”
Salutatorian Italy Pedraza said the ceremony was not just graduation, but “an entry into adulthood.”
In her keynote address, former teacher Elizabeth Gurley gave humorous ancedotes of her former students. Before receiving their diplomas, each graduate put a rose into a vase on the stage. Those roses were then presented to Student Services Director Debbie Hearne for what she had done for the class.
Perrin High School
Perrin High School graduated 24 students in the Class of 2019. The class had seven honor graduates.
The salutatorian was Jasmine Brown. Ashton Sims gave the invocation and Kaylie Anderson read a poem. The benediction was given by Courtney Davis.
Valedictorian Brianna Bryant asked her class to count their blessings and to put God first, followed by family.