Every year since 1969, Washington School sends an accomplished group of fine, young men and women off to college and the working world. The Class of 2019 once again demonstrated Washington School’s reputation of academic excellence, receiving over one million dollars in offered scholarship money. The Baccalaureate service was held on Thursday, May 9, 2019, in Sykes Hall. Class President Michael Tucker gave the invocation followed by the age-old hymn, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” led by senior, Alden McKay. Class Secretary Kathleen Tucker introduced the Baccalaureate speaker, Reverend Matt Alexander. Matt is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Greenville. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education from Mississippi College and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He is currently enrolled in the doctoral program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Matt is married to Virginia Alexander. They have a five year old son, Olen, and are expecting a baby girl in September. Reverend Alexander’s address was centered around the words of Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord

THE TORCH CARRYING ON THE LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

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A pioneer in agriculture for over 44 years, Mr. McRight owns and operates McRight Services, LLC, a company which formulates and manufactures a complete line of crop biostimulants and micronutrients used in agriculture. These products are sold throughout the world under the name, DeltAg. Mr. McRight’s address provided the senior class with inspirational advice, touching memories, and plenty of positivity. He emphasized the advantage of making mistakes. “You will learn from your mistakes; you will not learn from the things you get right.” He then explained the importance of developing one’s character, one’s unique identity. “Who you are today is really just the beginning of who you will become. The things that you do, the choices that you make are going to determine who you are later in life. You’re not supposed to know today what you are going to do for the rest of your life. What’s important is that you figure out who you are.” Mr. McRight also included the importance of remaining steadfast in faith. “The person you are supposed to be will find you, if you keep your eyes on God, and keep your faith. Who you are supposed to be will find you. Life’s journey with its bends,

with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Although this is a well known, often quoted verse, it is an equally comforting and appropriate message for an event such as Baccalaureate. Commencement took place on Friday, May 10, 2019. Family members and special friends of the graduating class filled every seat and lined the walls to watch the graduating class members enter Sykes Hall to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance.” Grace Anne Copell and Caroline Haley delivered Salutatorian addresses followed by Maddie Parkerson, Valedictorian. After the honored speeches, Head of School, Jeff Pinnow, introduced this year’s keynote speaker, Mr. John Peter “Johnny” McRight. Mr. McRight is a Greenville native and graduated from Greenville High School in 1969. He is the son of Lila Lee Nosser McRight and W.O. “Bill” McRight. He attended the University of Mississippi where he received his B.S. in Biology and Chemistry in 1973 and a Masters of Combined Sciences in Biology in 1975. He and his wife, Renee, have one daughter, Meri Walker McRight Nipper, and four grandsons.

Washington School holds 49th

Commencement Ceremony

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turns, and even road blocks, might just be God’s way of getting you to where you are supposed to be. It’s who you are, not so much what you are.” In conclusion, Mr. McRight shared a letter written by his grandfather dated May 28, 1969. His grandfather came to the United States as a young, immigrant teen with twenty dollars in his pocket. With

hard work and determination, Johnny McRight’s grandfather started two banks in Vicksburg, Mississippi and opened the state’s first supermarket. The letter stated many important life lessons for “Johnny Pete.” “Take advantage of your education and do not take it for granted. Respect everyone regardless of who they are and where they come from. If you do not put something in this world,

then you will not get anything out. Always honor God and your parents, because their blessings will mean a lot to you.” Mr. McRight explained these were wise words he received from his grandfather many years ago, and they are equally wise words for this graduating class of 2019. Mr. McRight closed with, “May God bless you and keep you, and may He give you all good things in life.”

COLLEGE CHOICES

Sam AdkissonMillsaps CollegeCortney Alford

Mississippi CollegeAnna Kate Bennett

Mississippi State UniversityTanner Brantley

East Mississippi Community CollegeWalker Brewer

Delta State UniversityLacey Brown

Mississippi Delta Community CollegeKaitlin Burton

University of Arkansas at MonticelloGrace Anne Copell, Salutatorian

Mississippi State UniversityBrett Etheridge

Delta State UniversityMcKenzie Fedrick

Mississippi Delta Community CollegeChristian Gordon

Mississippi Delta Community CollegeDawson Gray

Delta State UniversityCaroline Haley, SalutatorianMississippi State University

Chaslyn HaynesMississippi State University

Stephon HemphillUndecided

Maddie HunterDelta State University

Mason JohnsonHolmes Community College

Austin KellyMississippi State University

Raysean LakeMississippi State University

Carly MascagniMississippi State University

Alden McKayMississippi College

Myers MorganDelta State University

Maggie NicholsonMississippi Delta Community College

Maddie Parkerson, ValedictorianUniversity of Pennsylvania

Baylee PatrickUniversity of Mississippi

Hunter RayMississippi Delta Community College

Ashley RounsavallMississippi State University

Annsleigh ShelleyMeridian Community College

Peyton StigallMississippi Delta Community College

Logan TarverMississippi Delta Community College

Madisyn TarverMississippi Delta Community College

Andrew ThompsonUndecided

Frankee TonosMississippi Delta Community College

Kathleen TuckerMississippi State University

Michael TuckerDelta State University

Tri VaughanEast Central Community College

B.J. WassonMississippi State University

Madison WomackMississippi Delta Community College

Melanie WordMississippi College

Caroline Haley, SalutatorianMississippi State University

Grace Anne Copell, SalutatorianMississippi State University

Maddie Parkerson, ValedictorianUniversity of Pennsylvania

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Generations of GeneralsEight members of the Washington School Class of 2019 are

second-generation alumni.

McKenzie Fedrickdaughter of

Richard Fedrick (‘89)

Melanie Worddaughter of

Maria Sanders word (‘85)Richard Word (‘85)

Michael Tuckerson of

Kelly Freeman Tucker (‘86)

Kathleen Tuckerdaughter of

Kelly Freeman Tucker (‘86)

Andrew Thompson son of

Cynthia Foster Thompson (‘87)

Ashley Rounsavalldaughter of

David Rounsavall (‘82)

Maddie Parkersondaughter of

Jamie Parkerson (‘87)

Myers Morganson of

Deanne Suares Morgan (‘94)Rance Morgan (‘92)

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WASHINGTON SCHOOL ALUMNI

WASHINGTON SCHOOL1605 East Reed RoadGreenville, MS 38703

BE SURE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITEWWW.GENERALS.WS

Save the Date for our 50th Anniversary Celebration

May 23rd, 2020golf • tennis • family fun • banquet

As alumni, you are always welcome to come for a visit, read

or speak to a class, or share a special talent with our students!

Contact Mary Clyde King, mking@generals.ws for further

information.