Chase Walker (center) of Rayle graduated from Briarwood Academy during commencement exercises on Friday, May 15, at the school. Junior honor students from Wilkes County served as ushers for all graduation activities include (from left) Adam Hardy, Lizzie Keen, Anna Goolsby and Taylor Stitcher. Commencement exercises for the 17 members of the Briarwood Academy Class of 2009 wiere held at 7 p.m., Friday, May 15, at the Clinton H. Grant Field House at Briarwood.

Baccalaureate services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 10, at the First Baptist Church of Thomson with Reverend David Lambert officiating. "Blessed Assurance" was performed by the Briarwood quartet of senior Ben Raburn, senior Chase Walker, junior Adam Hardy and junior Matthew McElveen.

Graduation addresses were delivered by Sarah Nutial, valedictorian; Rebekah Prince, salutatorian; and Morgan Pilcher, first honor graduate; during the thirty-ninth commencement exercises

The Briarwood High School Chorus performed "As It Is in Heaven." The Chorus was accompanied by Saul Smith on the guitar, Trey Stadler on the drums, and Maggie Keene on the piano.

Headmaster John T. Hammond presented the graduating Class of 2009 to Ray Hardy, chairman of the Briarwood Academy Board of Trustees, who awarded the diplomas.

Honor graduates of the Class of 2009 include valedictorian Sarah Ann Nutial, salutatorian Rebekah Nicole Prince, first honor graduate Morgan Elizabeth Pilcher, Nicholas Wayne Dawson, Ryan Andrew Gerlach, Mallory Hunnicutt Pilcher, Benjamin Luckey Raburn, Jamie Claire Russell, Dawn Renae Shelton and Hollis Ella Wells. Graduates include James Price Chalker, Jonathan Edward Gay, Cane Hyman-David Gilmer, Mathew Louis Graziano, Ashleigh Lauren Newsome, Caitlyn Nicole Quinn, and William Chase Walker.

Taylor Stitcher served as an honor usher during commencement exer

The junior honor students served as ushers for all graduation activities.

In order to serve as junior usher, students must have maintained an academic average of 90 or above throughout high school.

Taylor is the daughter of Melanie Stitcher of Washington and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Blakey.