New Madrid County R-1 celebrates Class of 2022

The New Madrid County Central High School band under the direction of Ethan Flood performs "Pomp and Circumstance" as the members of the Class of 2022 enter the gymnasium for their commencement on May 17. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Stephanie Myers, the director of the Singing Eagles, encourages the students to sing louder as they perform during the 42nd annual commencement ceremony on May 17. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Joycelynne Jackson, class secretary, prepares to the give the benediction as the New Madrid County Central High School's commencement ceremony comes to an end. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

A graduate moves the tassel on her cap from right to left to signal graduation from high school. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

A large crowd gathered May 17 for the New Madrid County Central High School's 42nd annual commencement ceremony in the school's gymansium. More than 80 students received their diplomas during the event. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Graduates bow their heads in prayer as their commencement ceremony nears its end on May 17. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Waiting for the graduation ceremony to be begin, a member of the New Madrid County Central High School Class of 2022 scans the program. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Members of the Singing Eagles perform "Homeward Bound" as part of the commencement ceremony on May 17. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Members of the New Madrid County Central High School's graduating class listen as Jared Shackleford offers them some life advice and thanks them for letting him be a part of their lives. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

A member of the New Madrid County Central High School Class of 2022 appears to be pondering the future prior to the graduation ceremony on May 17. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

The top students in the New Madrid County Central High School Class of 2022 were valedictorian Cherikee Morgan, left, and salutatorian Olivia Nelson. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Olivia Nelson, the salutatorian for the New Madrid County Central High School Class of 2022, addresses those attending the commencement ceremony on May 17. Nelson plans to study medicine at the University of Missouri. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

A member of the Class of 2022, surrounded by balloons presented to him following his graduation, poses for a photo for family members. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Graduates check a photo on a phone after taking a picture together prior to the New Madrid County Central High School graduation ceremony on May 17. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Dr. Sam Duncan, New Madrid County R-1 superintendent, listens to New Madrid County Central High School's Class of 2022 valedictorian Cherikee Morgan as she addresses her classmates. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

As part of the commencement ceremony, each New Madrid County Central High School graduate was presented a rose. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Each of the graduates received a white or yellow rose as part of the 42nd annual commencement ceremony at New Madrid County Central High School on May 17. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Schoool Board President Danny Parker shakes the hand of a graduate as he presents her with a diplomas at New Madrid County Central High School's 42nd annual commencement ceremony. Pictured at the microphone is NMC Central High School principal Justin Poley. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Prior to entering the gymnasium for their graduation ceremony, members of the New Madrid County Central High School Class of 2022 check their hats to be sure they are on correctly. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

To mark the end of their high school career, the members of the New Madrid County Central High School Class of 2022 toss their hats in the air at the conclusion of the Commencement exercises on May 17. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Jared Shackleford, the Spanish teacher at New Madrid County Central High School, addresses the graduating class at the Commencement ceremony on May 17. Shackleford was selected by the class to be their speaker. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)