In caps and gowns, the 2015 graduating class of Bridgeport High School will get their first taste of pomp and circumstance Wednesday morning. To be held 9 a.m. at the school auditorium, the annual BHS senior assembly will feature the receipt of college scholarship awards, as well as special music and addresses by senior representatives Mitchell Winkie and Mallory Rinker. (Read about Winkie and Rinker HERE.) 

 

At least $3 million in scholarship awards will be presented at Wednesday’s assembly.

 

“It could be well above that amount as the dollar amounts of all awards haven’t been given to me yet,” said BHS Junior/Senior Counselor Jane Byrd.

 

Seventy-two of the 160 graduates have qualified for the West Virginia Promise Scholarship, Byrd said.

 

BHS seniors who have maintained a grade point average of 4.0 or above will be seated upon the stage at the senior assembly. Senior BHS Choir members will lead their peers and guests in the singing of the Alma Mater and, as is tradition, the passing of the gavel will take place.

 

“The seniors will pass it on to the junior class – the upcoming senior class of 2016,” Byrd said.

 

Senior activities will continue throughout the week.

 

The 2015 Baccalaureate service will be held 6 p.m. Wednesday at Bridgeport United Methodist Church. The message to the graduating class will be delivered by The Rev. Dr. Ken A. Ramsey. Parents and other family members are invited to join their graduates for the service. Those not able to attend may view the service via live stream at http://www.sundaystreams.com/go/bridgeportumc.

 

It was decided recently to implement the live stream feature for the annual Baccalaureate service, enabling locals – as well as family members and friends around the country and even the world – to be part of the milestone, said Michael Burge, lay servant for BUMC.

 

Following the Baccalaureate will be the BHS Senior Banquet at Bridgeport Conference Center. The banquet is expected to begin around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. 

 

The annual Rose Breakfast for graduates and faculty takes place 7 a.m. Friday. During that time, the seniors will view the 2015 senior class video, Byrd said. Following the breakfast, graduation practice will be held at Wayne Jamison field, weather permitting. Graduates not attending that rehearsal will be moved out of alphabetical order in the processional and will be among the last to receive diplomas, according to BHS administration.

Graduation takes place 9 a.m. Saturday at Wayne Jamison Field, weather permitting. Each graduating senior will receive five tickets for seats in the center section of the bleachers. Other guests are invited to attend and sit in other sections. If, due to inclement weather, graduation ceremonies have to be moved indoors to the school gymnasium, only those holding tickets will be permitted to attend due to limited seating. Addressing their peers at Saturday's graduation will be Miss BHS Hannah Fetty and Mr. BHS John Marshall.  (Read story about Fetty and Marshall HERE.)

 

Pictured from top Mitchell Winkie and Mallory Rinker; Hannah Fetty and John Marshall. Pictured on the cover are Taylor Bailey, Olivia Friel and Jessica Balash.