Small school graduations set for weekend

Dora, Elida and Floyd are gearing up for high school graduation ceremonies this weekend.

Dora and Floyd have the most students graduating this year with 18 each. Elida has four graduates this year.

“Their GPA is what stands out most about the class,” said Dora High School Registrar Janet Newberry. “This is an extremely bright graduating class. I think the average GPA for the class is about 3.7 and they’re bringing in...about $150,000 in scholarships.”

Graduation at Dora is 7 p.m. Friday. The guest speaker is Joe Fletcher, a history and social studies teacher at the high school who recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan with the New Mexico National Guard.

“He’s been gone in essence for the past two years and he is a very well respected staff member,” Newberry said. “So the seniors asked him to speak.”

Dora Superintendent Steve Barron said they were an excellent class.

“We’re going to miss them,” Barron said. “I would say about 90 percent of them will end up in college and that’s about the average for our school.”

Elida Superintendent Jim Daugherty had praise for the graduating class of four.

“We have a lot of talented individuals for a small class,” Daugherty said. “We have really good students and some that are outstanding athletes. Some of them do community service and they have been very successful in exhibiting...animals at the fair.”

Guest speaker is Rudy Tarpley, the state supervisor of agriculture education. Elida’s graduation is at 7 p.m. Saturday and afterwards there is a reception for the graduates in the cafeteria. The Elida graduates walked away with $14,761 in scholarships.

“I’ve known Tarpley for years,” Daugherty said. “Anybody who is in Ag education in New Mexico knows Dr. Tarpley.”

Floyd Principal Chris Duncan said this year’s graduates are multi-talented.

“They are a very talented group,” Duncan said. “Many of the state champion class 1A team are in this group. I think four of them were starters so they are a talented group academically and athletically.”

Guest speaker at Floyd’s ceremonies Saturday is Tandee Delk, who is a former teacher and volleyball coach.

The junior class is also putting on a reception for the graduates afterwards.

Floyd graduates received scholarships worth $276,116.