More than $3 million in scholarships offered to grads of Eden’s Morehead High

“We’ll be graduating about 245 seniors,“ said Betty Harrington, principal of John Motley Morehead High School in Eden. “The whole class was offered a total of over $3 million in scholarships.“

That total indicates the excellent work the class of 2008 put into their studies. Harrington said the school staff is proud of each of them.

Over the years, Morehead tradition has eliminated the role of the class valedictorian and salutatorian, so the honor of graduation is equally felt by each student.

“We just want to really want to emphasize that everybody is special on graduation day,“ Harrington said.

Instead, the school invites successful alumni to return and speak to new graduates about their experiences since leaving high school.

During Sunday’s baccalaureate ceremony, Craig Aiken spoke to Morehead seniors about his life since he turned the tassel as a member of Morehead’s class of 1991. Aiken now works as a coach and probation officer in Forsyth County, and Harrington said students identified with his youth and his memories of leaving his high-school days behind.

For Saturday’s graduation ceremony, Morehead invited Lt. Col. Wade Blackwell, a Morehead graduate and Army commander.

“I believe he is someone special the students will be able to connect with,“ Harrington said. “We try to invite a speaker to honor during the ceremony, who is honored to speak and the kids can connect with. They can see what is possible if they dedicate their lives to something.“

Morehead High School graduation ceremonies begin Saturday at 9 a.m.