By Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
See below for gallery of graduation photos.
The graduation for Stanhope Elmore High School seniors this week was one of excitement, but also a little sadness. This graduation marks the last that will take place on Foshee-Henderson Stadium. Hereafter, graduations for SEHS will be held at 17 Springs.
Monday marked the 60th Commencement Exercise for the school, and over the years the majority of those ceremonies took place on Foshee-Henderson field.
It was a packed house for the event, with a huge crowds and a lot of Millbrook officers helping with traffic.
Principal Ewell Fuller recognized those that are retiring this year, including Tracy Blackman, Jennifer Daniels, Emily Honey, Karen Naquin, and James Pilgrim.
He continued, “I would also like to our opportunity to recognize all those who have made this night possible. Superintendent Richard Dennis for always supporting Stanhope Elmore and all of Elmore County Public schools. The Elmore County Board of Education members in attendance, Mr. Wendell Saxon, Mr. Bill Myers, and Leisa Finley. Also in attendance is Doctor Jamie McGowan, Director of secondary schools. I would also like to thank Mayor Al Kelly for the City of Millbrook, Chief P.K. Johnson, and the Millbrook Police Department, Brenda Dennis with the Millbrook Chamber of Commerce. The JROTC program, which I cannot say enough about them.”
He then went on to thank the community partners, the counselors of SEHS, Coach Adams, Mr. Wesley Morris, and everyone who had a special part in making the night a success.
Fuller recognized a special graduate Ameria McCollum who kept a perfect attendance for all four years of high school.
“This class has shown exceptional leadership, both in our school and throughout the Elmore County community. You have achieved so much more in the past four years, in the classroom, on the field, on the stage and beyond. What has meant the most is the way you carried yourselves with pride, resilience, and heart. You shined a positive light in our school and county, you made us proud, and you made a difference. One thing that has always stood about this class is your ability to adapt. Basically, to adjust the flow. To keep pushing forward no matter what the circumstances. That is a rare and powerful trait, and it will serve you well no matter where you go. Whether it is college, military, the work force, or somewhere in between remember this, you will always have a home at Stanhope Elmore. This will always be your school, your field, and your family.”
Fuller than said the night was particularly special for him, as he is retiring from his position of principal.
“I am retiring this year, and that means we are going out together. It means the world to me that this is the last class I get to celebrate this way. Not only this is my final ceremony, but the final graduation here at Foshee-Henderson Stadium. Thank you, Class of 2025, for letting me be a part of your journey. You left your mark on Stanhope Elmore and you left your mark on me. Congratulations, and go do great things. We are SE, We Win, Just saying!”
Leslie Caylor, the Instructional Coach for SEHS, spoke to audience to present a gift to Fuller. Doctor Bryan Barlow, Michael Dunsieth, and Heather Perdue, Assistant Principals for SEHS stood beside her as well.
“One of the most common sayings Fuller has was, ‘if you keep the kids up front, you can’t lose,’” said Caylor.
She continued, “This would come up when decisions were being made for the leadership team, and faculty. He would also use it after a solution had presented itself to an earlier problem that seemed to have no clear solution. As all of you graduates know, Coach Fuller has his entire office decorated with your signatures. What you may not be aware of is this is one of the ways, that reminds him, and all of us, to keep the focus on you and all the students at Stanhope Elmore. They are also not aware how frequently he points to specific names and references a particular student’s accomplishments, or things they have went through as students here.”
Caylor said that while not everyone always agreed with Fuller’s decision at first, she wants all of you to know that these decisions were made with the students as the main priority.
“We also want Coach Fuller to know that we recognize and appreciate all he has done to keep all of us focused on you. In honor of that, we would like to present him with the photos commemorating his wall of graduates.”
Once Fuller walked up to receive his gift from his administration team, the SEHS Choir did a special musical selection.
Fuller then introduced the Salutatorian Colby Beyer.
“Good evening, I would like to thank everyone that came, fellow students, all my teachers, faculty, community members, and all the parents that came out for their children. So, it is better if I just speak on what is on my mind right now and what is the best thing to speak about is how we have gone through four years of high school and we have all come here tonight,” said Beyer.
Beyer said a lot of work went into not only graduation, the also the many accomplishments of his class, be it academic, extracurricular or in general during their time at Stanhope Elmore.
“I do want to say one thing for Coach Fuller. I have had two sisters go through here. I think you have been the best principal for the entire Stanhope Elmore years. I think it has been about 10 years in total we have been through this high school. You have been the best principal so far, and I want to just say that from the heart. Sometimes I wonder if I am his own child, because he likes to congratulate me on my achievements that much. I do not want to keep y’all much longer, and with that said, we win, just saying.”
Beyer then introduced Valedictorian Colby Allen who offered a heartfelt, and at times hilarious, speech to staff and his fellow graduates.
“Me standing here today could not have been possible without several special people,” said Allen.
He continued, “I would like to thank all of them, the faculty, staff, mentors, teachers, and friends who have helped me get here. I honestly could not thank you enough. The first thank you I would like to give is to Mrs. Naquin. Thank you for putting up with me for the past three years. You made it obvious it was not easy. I would like to thank my soccer team for the past 12 years. The time went by very fast. To my parents, I thank you both. You both showed me what it means to live authentically through care, compassion, and true love. Last and probably least, my brother. Even though you were not the funnier one, or the smarter one, or the better looking one, I do love you and I know you will do great things.
“So, we made it. We are graduating. I would like to give a big congratulations to each and every one of you. It has been a long four years. We have survived a global pandemic, killer clowns, Yondr pouches, Shakespeare, and worst of all, algebra. It was only four years ago we came to Stanhope Elmore. We came with facial acne, body odor, and definite voice cracks. But as time went on, we gained confidence, and most of us started using deodorant. Most of us.
“Then came Junior year, where senioritis started kicking in. But now we are here, we are done. Done with the stressful days of ACT and AP testing. As we step into the next stage of a life, we have an opportunity to face the world and face and pursue our passions, to leave our mark.”
The presentation of diplomas took place following his speech.
At the end of the ceremony, the Alma Mater was played for the Senior class one final time on the Foshee-Henderson field.
From the EAN Staff, Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Always, leave your mark and pursue your passion wherever that may take you!
