– Photo courtesy of FHS
As the school year winds down, the excitement for Graduation Day builds up. But behind the scenes, it’s the hard work and dedication of our incredible staff that make this milestone event truly memorable. At the heart of this effort is a team of individuals whose contributions ensure that everything runs smoothly, demonstrating that it indeed “takes a village” to celebrate our students’ achievements.
Richard Sallee, leading the Hot Dog Network, orchestrates a multi-camera live stream of the graduation in partnership with Hoosierland TV.
“The broadcast is student-run,” Richard shares. Meanwhile, FHS Secretary Carla Renick is busy months in advance, managing cap and gown orders and coordinating with Herff Jones. “I begin in October and work through distribution in April, ensuring each graduate’s needs are met,” says Carla. She also collaborates with various staff members to finalize event details, from seating arrangements to timetables, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
The ceremony wouldn’t be complete without the contributions of FHS Principal Cindy Long, who crafts a speech to inspire the graduates. “I hope my words help each graduate reflect on their accomplishment and look forward to the future,” she notes. Jason Hutton and Kiara Woods, the FHS Band and Chorus directors, respectively, prepare their students for musical performances that add a special touch to the celebration. Cindy Beebe and her custodial team also work tirelessly to prepare and transform the physical location for the ceremony, ensuring everything is set up perfectly and then tearing it all down afterward.
These dedicated individuals, along with many others, play crucial roles in creating a seamless and memorable graduation day. Their behind-the-scenes efforts exemplify the community spirit that makes Frankfort special, ensuring that our seniors’ big day is nothing short of spectacular. Thank you to all who had a hand in this year’s ceremony!
Article by Madeline Richardson