May, 2019

Volume 2, Issue 1

Graduation Special Edition

Independence High School

791 Mimosa Boulevard

Roswell, GA 30075

Independence Insights Graduation Special Edition

EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY

Students come to us from all parts of North Fulton County and are motivated

to leave their home schools to attend Independence for a variety of reasons.

Once they arrive, however, they share the common goal of graduating with a

diploma. The highlights of each year for the administration, faculty and staff

are the Graduation Ceremonies in December and May and the opportunity we

have to celebrate the successes of our students with them and their

loved ones. This spring’s commencement was an amazing event, as

Roswell Presbyterian Church was filled to capacity with our graduates, their

families, friends, community supporters and the Independence staff.

Together, we applauded the efforts of the students who had worked so hard

for so many years for the right to walk across the stage and receive their

diplomas.

That day brought smiles, laughter, relief, joy and pride to all who took part in

the festivities and we hope you will enjoy this photo montage that captured a

few of those special moments.

May 17, 2019

Roswell Presbyterian Church

“Take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don’t forget to enjoy the journey.” Michael Josephson

THE EXIT SURVEY AND PHOTO SESSION

PRE-CEREMONY PREPARATIONS

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CAP AND GOWN PICK-UP

Processing Out

One of the last tasks that all

seniors have to complete before

officially graduating is known as

“processing out.” It involves

carefully choosing the words

they want printed under their

photos on the graduation

boards, deciding if they want

their home school or

Independence listed on their

diploma and completing the

Fulton County Schools and

Independence High School

Senior Exit Surveys.

Their final words truly touch the

hearts of the faculty and staff

who are thoughtfully reminded

of why they do what they do

each and every day.

Ms. Lane, Ms. Schenke and Ms.Najar

made sure the gowns fit perfectly.

Donning caps and gowns, receiving

preliminary instructions from

Ms. Paulsen and posing for photos

with Interact ambassadors standing by

to assist

A BEAUTIFUL SETTING

FOR A CELEBRATION

As it has throughout the year,

Roswell Presbyterian Church proved

itself to be a generous and supportive

neighbor by opening its doors to us for

the May Graduation Ceremony. This

spring’s event brought the total

number of 2018-2019 IHS

graduates to 176.

Throughout the afternoon,

Independence seniors were

recognized for their scholastic

achievements and community service

as friends and family proudly watched.

The catered reception provided a time

for photos, food and conversation, as

students, staff and family supporters

mingled for the final time of the school

year.

Students assisting one another in preparation for that

all important graduation photo taken by Ms. Burrell

WORDS OF ADVICE AND INSPIRATION,

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AND SCHOLARSHIPS

What an amazing end to the school

year! It was a tremendous source of

joy and pride to honor students who

have achieved so much during their

time at Independence. The following

students were given special

recognition for their outstanding

accomplishments:

The Trailblazers—Students who

graduated earlier than their

scheduled years:

Dayana Becerra-Tapia Shaina Birton Luis Hernandez Aquilar Rachel Knowles Brandon Maertens-Smith Maxwell Mehok Katherine Romero Sergio Trejo Jennifer Hernandez-Garcia Mary Moore Shakir Abdullah Lorenzo Ascencio Kaleb Bamber Riley Britt Jenny Enriquez-Nava Jamilah Jordan Machrista Lymus Davnysa Morris Departmental Awards:

English Language Arts—

Jenny Enriquez-Nava

World Language—

Davnysa Morris

Mathematics—

Shakir Abdullah

Social Studies—

Jennifer Hernandez-Garcia

Business Management—

Craig O’Brien

Visual Arts—

Jasmine Batts

Science—

Jaiden Dunham

Physical Education—

Alexis Gomez

The AJC Cup

Rachel Knowles

Scholarship Recipients:

North Fulton Retired

Educators Association—

Edgar Martinez

NFREA-Supported by Nancy and

Stan Moses

Catherine McFarland

Fulton County Assistant

Principals Association—

Davnysa Morris

GENTS Mentoring Program—

Kaleb Bamber

Principal’s Award—

Bre’Shana Boyd

A few lighthearted moments and then on to rehearsal!

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IHS Teacher of the Year,

Mr. J. Chase Campbell

FCAPA Interact

The Principal’s Award

NFREA-Nancy and Stan Moses

GENTS

The Trailblazers

The AJC Cup

Independence Valedictorian,

Savannah Kemp

Independence Salutatorian,

Antonia Houze

NFREA

ONE GOAL

ACHIEVED…

AND ONTO THE

NEXT!

Many years of hard work

and dedication, sacrifice

and support have gone

into our students

realizing their dream of

receiving a high school

diploma. Today we

congratulate these young

men and women and

their families on their

accomplishments. We

also thank all the

teachers, staff members

and community

supporters who traveled

with our students from

the onset of their

educational journeys

through today’s

celebration.

Independence graduates

will be heading to

colleges, universities or

technical schools in the

fall. Some will be

inducted into the military

and serve our country

here and abroad. Others

have chosen to enter the

workforce and begin their

careers. We wish them

all continued success, the

best of luck and many

more dreams fulfilled.

THE CELEBRATION

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“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the

life you have imagined.” —Henry David Thoreau

Congratulations, Class of 2019!