90 students begin a new chapter in life following MCHS graduation

Michele Ruxer, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
·3 min read

McLean County High School’s class of 2024, around 90 total graduates, mingled and chatted as they prepared to enter the gym to receive their diplomas on Friday evening at the high school. Students adjusted their caps and took selfies with their friends as they prepared to embark on the next journey in life — onto college or out into the world as an adult.

“I’m so afraid my cap is going to fall off,” said Madeline Jones, 18.

Jones, who graduated as a member of the National Honor Society, has plans to attend Owensboro Community & Technical College in the fall to study agribusiness. She plans to go to school full-time while working at Target and taking steps to start her own floral business in McLean County.

Jones said she became interested in designing floral arrangements as a freshman member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA).

“We were to a competition with the FFA and I signed up to do a floral arrangement. I ended up finishing in second place, so I thought I had some talent for the craft,” she explained.

Jones said that she purchased flowers from retail businesses such as Kroger or Wal-Mart and turned them into bouquets for her friends during prom season.

“I’m excited to start on this new journey,” Jones said.

Brayson Smith, who earned the honor of class valedictorian, said that graduation is exciting, but also stressful at the same time.

“It’s a little scary to begin that venture out on your own,” said Smith, 18.

He plans to attend the University of Louisville in the fall to study business.

Smith said he only spent his freshman and sophomore years at the high school because he took classes at OCTC during his junior and senior years, but he’s met many great friends along the way.

“I don’t know anyone else heading to U of L, so it’s a little like starting over and getting to make new friends,” Smith said.

Whit Searcy, 17, the class salutatorian, said that he initially had reservations about attending such a small high school, but as the years progressed, he started to really enjoy the friends he met and the experiences he made along the way. He said that “everyone is just so close with each other.”

“It’s such an odd feeling to be graduating,” Searcy said. “I’m excited, but then there’s so many uncertainties.”

Searcy plans to attend the University of Kentucky to focus on a path into engineering. He played baseball and football during his time at MCHS.

“I am ready for the change, even if it does seem a little scary,” he said.

Assistant principal Jeff Jones said that the class of 2024 has been one of the best classes that MCHS has ever had.

“They have all been hard workers who have been able to put smiles on our faces every day,” Jones said. “I have no doubt that each student is going to do great things and continue to be successful in their future endeavors.”