Perrin celebrates 'most interesting class'

PERRIN – Ben Staggs is one special person to the Class of 2017 here.

In an emotional moment during the commencement exercises here June 2, Staggs was asked to come to the front of the gym where nearly every senior stood. Staggs was reminded that his first year at the school was the seniors’ first year in school as well.

Staggs was thanked by the seniors for everything he has done for them over the years, as a counselor, friend and coach of football and softball at the school. Salutatorian Hunter Francis says the class has seen a lot of change just in their four years of high school which included 14 coaches and three superintendents among others with Staggs being a constant.

The 29 graduates of the class were called “the most interesting class ever seen” by Student Advisor April Richardson, who handed out a number of scholarships to the group. In the class there was one distinguished graduate in valedictorian Zach Tucker and 10 honor graduates, who held a 90 grade point average or higher all four years of high school.

While being an interesting class, Francis says all the graduates have reached a turning point and should be a bit nervous in reaching a “new part of their life that is exciting and scary at the same time.”

After he and his fellow graduates passed out flowers and thanked everyone for coming, Tucker reminded the class it has spent the last 18 years learning about itself and now it was time to show the world the results.

“You can choose daily the person you are,” Tucker said. “You always have the opportunity to change the path you are on.”