RIPLEY, W.Va. — The Jackson County school system will hand out 293 diplomas tonight (Friday) as the class of 2016 is graduated at the county’s two High Schools. Graduation is 6 p.m. at Ravenswood High School and 8 p.m. at Ripley High School. Commencement exercises at both schools are set for the high school football stadium, but in case of inclement weather the ceremonies will be moved inside.
It’s an extra special time for Assistant Jackson County Superintendent Jim Mahan. Mahan will not only be a part of the ceremonies, but will see his twins, Jeana and J.J., graduate at Ripley High School.
“I think I described it to a parent as ‘bittersweet,'” Mahan told MetroNews Affiliate WMOV in Ravenswood. “I’m really happy for my kids, but somewhat sad they’re moving on. But that’s what you do as a parent. You do your best, you get them ready, and then they go out in that big, wide world.”
Ravenswood High School will graduate 91 seniors, 17 of whom qualified for the Promise Scholarship which amounts to $1.2 Million in money for college this fall. Ripley High School will graduate 202 in the senior class, 50 of those students qualified for Promise to earn $2.2 Million.
“It’s a special time for me and my wife and there will be a lot of memories and a lot of photos,” said Mahan. “But for all of these kids it’s a special time. Every one of the kids walking across this stage have earned that first class diploma and that’s something they can have for the rest of their lives.”