(Tangier Combined School houses grades K-12 in the same building. It's the only K-12 school building in Virginia.) (Article below is from the Eastern Shore Post)
Story and Photos by Stefanie Jackson
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic
began more than two years ago, Tangier Combined
School returned to tradition with its 2022 graduation
ceremony held in the Swain Memorial United Methodist Church. Because Tangier’s graduating class is
always so small, each graduate may have the opportunity to speak. The students’ remarks are unlike
typical commencement addresses and usually include
a few words of inspiration to their classmates, maybe
an anecdote or two about their school days, and thanking parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and other family and friends for their support through the years, telling them, “I love you.” Laughter
and tears fill the church sanctuary as each
graduate shares his or her personal story.
This year, special words of thanks and love
were reserved for Principal Sharon Haynie,
who is retiring after decades in education.
In another tradition dating back to 1985, established by Pamela Eskridge, a slideshow
about the graduates was shown, including
baby photos, class photos, and senior photos,
while the song “Goodnight Kiss” by Steve and Annie
Chapman was played.
The TCS Class of 2022 is valedictorian Samuel Parks, salutatorian Kevin Thomas, Jacob Crockett, Benjamin
Eskridge, Bridgette Riley Mariano, Collin Parks, Richard “R.J.” Parks Jr., and Michael Trent Pruitt.