Jacksboro celebrates new grads

The Jacksboro High School gym was filled nearly to capacity to see 59 students graduate from the Class of 2017. Included in the class were 19 honor students. 

Ashleigh Irwin gave the invocation followed by Lacy Lane’s salutatory address.

In her speech, Lane acknowledged she had not expected she would be making a salutatory address. Prior to the death of would-be valedictorian Johnny Callan, who was killed in a automobile crash the weekend after Thanksgiving, Lane was ranked third in the class but by mere tenths of a percentage point from next highest class member Melissa Cooley.

“Johnny used to ask me why don’t I try to be salutatorian? I told him, I didn’t want to make a speech,” she said.

Callan’s memory was honored throughout the commencement. A empty chair sat between Cooley and Lane with his cap and gown placed upon it.

Just as Kerri LeDoux, Callan’s mother, was about to present the first Live Like Johnny Scholarship to recipient Troy Mitchell, the lights in the gym went out.

Principal Brad Burnett said he believed that was a first for a Jacksboro High School graduation.

“But it doesn’t surprise me. Johnny was a practical joker. We know you’re with us,” he said looking upwards. “We think of you every day.”

Superintendent Dwain Milam awarded the diplomas and JISD School Board President Brent Hackley turned the tassels.

During Cooley’s valedictorian address, she too spoke of the friend the Class of 2017 lost.

“Cherish your past, focus on your future and never forget to live like Johnny,” she encouraged in closing her speech.

Zach Hamm led the class in the turning of the class rings.

A moment of levity came when Ashley Cox began the delivery of the benediction. Instead of asking the audience to join her in prayer, she began with, “Please pray for me.”