After several years of hosting commencement at larger venues due to COVID regulations, Pike County High School graduates will be honored at home this year. The Class of 2022 will be celebrated on the Pirates football field starting at 8 p.m. Friday, May 27.
“The Class of 2022 excels both in the classroom and in extracurriculars,” said PCHS principal Kevin Huffstetler. “This year’s graduates have set the record for acceptance at both the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech, with both being extremely competitive in the admission process. This class boasts a placement to the Air Force Academy, a National Merit Finalist and Governor’s Honor scholar. This class includes student athletes that have earned scholarships in almost all sports that we offer, and has earned several region and state championships. The class of 2022 is an excellent, well-rounded representation of the Pike County Schools Portrait of a Graduate. We want everyone to enjoy this much deserved graduation, and we look forward to seeing you on May 27,” said Huffstetler. “Balloons, noise makers, alcohol, tobacco, vapes, and weapons of any kind are not allowed on campus at PCHS. Staff at PCHS will be on site to provide directions for parking for all participants, families, and friends. We will use golf carts to provide those in need of assistance a ride into the stadium. Please have all handicap passes visible for our staff to assist with parking. Water will be sold by the PCHS Band. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.”
William Gray is the valedictorian and Landon Anderson is the salutatorian for the Pike County High School Class of 2022. Bethany White is the valedictorian and Adam Acevedo Moran is the salutatorian for the CrossPointe Christian Academy Class of 2022.
William Gray – PCHS Valedictorian
William Gray is the 2022 Valedictorian for Pike County High School and in addition to academic accomplishments, he has been a very active member of the community, his church and in athletics. He participated in four years of cross country and track, served as a member of student council, founded and chaired the Pike County Teenage Republicans, was on the State School Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, volunteers to play music at church, was an Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 2 and is part of the CrossFit Cultivate group.
“When I think about everyone who has supported me, it’s not just teachers or teammates or friends; it’s Pike County as a whole. The close-knit community creates a place where everybody from first to last in my graduating class has had encouragement during high school and opportunities after graduation,” he said.
“Even though the valedictorian is awarded for academic achievement, maintaining my fitness has been one of the most important parts of my last two years in high school when I really had to put in the work. The day always starts off right with my CrossFit friends, and practices with the cross country/track teams in the afternoons always kept my spirits high.”
He will be attending the U.S. Air Force Academy and plans to major in Astronautical Engineering.
“When I commission as a lieutenant, I hope to be a pilot in the Air Force or engineer in the Space Force,” he said.
Among many honors and awards, William earned the Governor’s Honors Program in social studies, was a National Merit Scholarship recipient, became the AAA state champion in International Extemporaneous Speaking, was named Cross Country Most Valuable Runner (co-awarded with Aiden Potter), was Public Forum Debate State Runner Up, earned the STAR Student (and selected Chris Washington as STAR Teacher), was named the Pike’s Got Talent runner-up and earned his Associate of Science degree from University of North Georgia.
William is the son of Carrie and Spencer Gray. His two older sisters, Caroline and Sarah, graduated from PCHS, and his younger siblings are Winston and Laura.
Landon Anderson – PCHS Salutatorian
Landon Anderson is the 2022 Salutatorian for Pike County High School and he plans to attend Georgia Tech to study Chemical Engineering. He was named as Homecoming Prince and was active in several groups throughout high school, including Hope Squad, FFA, STEM and NHS. He also enjoyed playing volleyball with everyone in gym. To earn the Salutatorian honor, he earned a 4.3 GPA at PCHS.
“The people who have impacted me the most in high school would be my teachers, specifically Mr. Jones, Mr. Washington, Mr. Waits, Dr. Gillies and Mrs. Douglas, along with my close friends and family,” he said.
Landon is the son of Johnny Anderson and Jennifer Campbell and he has five siblings JT, Kylee, McKenna and Oaklee.
“I plan to pursue a career in the Chemical Engineering field,” he said. “If there’s anything else to know about me it’s that I am down to earth person who’s usually quiet but always paying attention.”
Bethany White – CrossPointe Valedictorian
Bethany plans to attend Kennesaw State University and pursue a career in mechanical engineering.
“CrossPointe not only taught me good virtues but how to apply my learning in the outside world,” she said.
She was on the CrossPointe Student Council as a class representative for her freshman year and earned the school’s Character Award of Excellence. Outside of the classroom, she was a soccer standout for the CrossPointe soccer team where she earned the Best Defensive Player award as well as playing for the PTC Lazers.
“Soccer with the PTC Lazers has encouraged me to stay active and my sister always challenges me to do better,” she said.
Bethany is the daughter of Dan and Sue Wright and the sister of Joshua and Natalie White.
Adam Acevedo Moran – CrossPointe Salutatorian
In addition to excelling in the classroom, Adam earned honors athletically and event founded the school’s inaugural wrestling team. He was part of the CrossPointe cross country, track and field, wrestling, baseball and football teams. His hobbies include weightlifting and other athletics. He consistently earned high honor roll.
Adam was also part of the CrossPointe Student Council and the Beta Club.
“I plan on attending college at Georgia State University and pursing a career as a dental specialist (orthodontist),” he said. “I believe that weightlifting and track and field have impacted me the most during my high school years.”
Adam is the son of Aderlinn Moran and the brother of Kyllen Acexedo.
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