Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 15, 1990 TAG: 9006150750
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: JACQUELINE B. JAMES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
"We wish he could have been here. It put a damper on graduation in some respects," Assistant Principal Allen Journell said.
Journell told guests and the 392 graduates gathered at the Roanoke Civic Center for the school's 33rd commencement that Lipscomb's condition had stabilized, and he would have surgery next week. The principal suffered a heart attack earlier in the week.
On a happier note, Journell said that 80 percent of the senior class will be going on to college.
The class valedictorian, Mark Schleupner, and salutatorian, Henry Lin, both will attend The University of Virginia. The difference in their grade point averages was .02.
The top two students both also went to Governor's School.
"Life is full of new events, persons and things," Schleupner said. "We must never say, `Nothing new awaits me in life.' "
He encouraged his classmates to constantly push for more even when they have reached their goals.
The class awarded Michelle Turpin a plaque for being voted outstanding senior of the year - the student who has worked hardest to benefit the senior class.
Lin left Taiwan in 1979 to come to America. He told his classmates that he soon became linked with American culture.
"When we believe in ourselves, nothing can stand in our way no matter how small or large the obstacle."
by CNB