Gray Stone Day School held its fifth graduation ceremony on June 5 at Pfeiffer University’s Misenheimer campus.
The commencement speaker was Albemarle native Wade M. Smith, a lawyer for nearly 50 years. In 1979, Smith served as counsel to Dr. Jeffrey McDonald in the much-studied and discussed Green Beret murder case. Most recently, he was lead counsel for Collin Finnerty, one of three young men accused in the Duke lacrosse case.Smith was honored in 2004 as North Carolina’s number one criminal lawyer by Business North Carolina Magazine, and in 2009, Charlotte Magazine’s Super Lawyers Section recognized him as one of North Carolina’s Top Ten Lawyers.
Sixty-four area graduates completed their high school careers. It is the fourth year seniors have completed a service project as part of their graduation requirements.
Student speakers include Carson Blackwelder, Caitlyn Ferebee, Sarah Holder, Sam Hurley, Grace Schmiege, Stephen Smith, and Heather Van Wallendael. Katie Hopkins, Kaely Lykins and Brady Snuggs performed a musical selection.
Junior marshals are Gregory Asciutto, Christina Eller, Kaleigh Featherstone, Maggie Grathwohl, Alexandra McCollister, Kaleb Medlin, Christopher Parker, Molly Peele, Blair Streater, Joseph Sutlive.
Gray Stone has announced plans for the 2009 graduating class.University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Carson Blackwelder, Kannapolis; Heather Van Wallendael, Gold Hill.
North Carolina State University: Stephanie Renn, Salisbury.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Ethan Cordts, Jacob Isaacson, Richfield; Matt Dassler, Nick Dassler, Salisbury; Steven Helms, Clint Lowder, Jessalee Lowder, Albemarle; Eric Slingerland, Matt Slingerland, De’Angelo Smalls, Rockwell; Michael Tedeschi, Concord.
University of North Carolina at Wilmington: Sarah Holder, Patrick Sullivan, Salisbury.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro: Mabry Cervin, Rockwell; Geoffrey Harris, Albemarle; Dan Lipe, Richfield; Brady Snuggs, Salisbury.East Carolina University: Jamie Brown, Kannapolis.
Appalachian State University: Scott Griffin, Bradley Harrington, Jeffrey Harrington, Patrick Martin, Chaney Poston, Lauren Singletary, Albemarle; Rachel Mobley, Salisbury.
Western Carolina University: Sarah Jane Jacobs, Albemarle; Phillip Huneycutt, Badin.
Meredith College: Kaely Lykins, Richfield.
Catawba College: Katie Hopkins, Albemarle.
High Point University: Sheridan Wenzel, Albemarle.
Coastal Carolina University: Chelsea Harris, Albemarle.
University of Miami: Caitlen Corbett, Concord.
Florida State University: Elizabeth Streble.
Liberty University: Chelsea Creel, Rockwell.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College: Alex Lamb, Concord; Heather Meismer, Salisbury; Chantae Phillips, Rebecca Rider, Rockwell.
Stanly Community College: Sarah Earnhardt, Richfield; Samantha Johnson, Badin; Justin McKethan, Shanna Wheeler, Albemarle.
Air National Guard: Cal Moxley, Salisbury.