Warlick Academy graduates 12
Warlick Academy celebrated its class of 2021 Wednesday. In pods of five seats, 12 families of Warlick graduates cheered with great excitement as their graduate walked across the stage. Today, graduates, you are just like Derek Redmond, said Principal Lucretia Rice, who told the story of the former Olympic athlete. Despite a mid-race injury during the 1992 Olympics, Redmond persevered and finished the 400-meter race. He was fighting off all the race judges, the security and the medical workers who tried to stop him and place him on a stretcher. He made it with the help of his dad. He, along with all of you, crossed that sweet finish line.
Senior Spotlight: Dylan Childers, Warlick Academy
He aspires to work in the information technology industry after graduating from college.
Who has been your greatest influence and why?
CHILDERS: My greatest influence is my dad, by encouraging me to do better in and out of school and guiding me through life.
What were you involved with in high school?
CHILDERS: I wasn t involved in any sports or anything, but I ve been working for a couple years now.
Describe your feelings as you approach the final days of your high school career.
CHILDERS: I m excited to get my diploma and move on to college.
Gaston County Schools’ high school seniors will graduate together this May.
Gaston County’s nine traditional high schools – Ashbrook, Bessemer City, Cherryville, East Gaston, Forestview, Hunter Huss, North Gaston, South Point and Stuart W. Cramer – will each hold two ceremonies on Friday, May 28, at their respective football stadiums.
Highland School of Technology will use a different stadium on May 28 due to the small size of its stadium, as the ceremonies will adhere to 6-feet social distancing, according to the school system.
Families of graduating seniors who currently attend school Monday and Tuesday will attend the first ceremony, currently slated for 5:30 p.m.
Francia Magally Martinez battled mental health issues and drug abuse problems in life, but her children say the violent death of their mother last month has left a hole in their hearts. She was my best friend, her 17-year-old son, Jonny Martinez, said Tuesday. When he took her, he took part of me. Now, my mother is not going to see me graduate, I m not going to have another Mother s Day. She s not going to see my son grow up.
Police make arrest
Gastonia Police filed juvenile petitions of first-degree murder and robbery against a 16-year-old man in the case, they announced this week. Just last week, investigators had made a public plea for help in the investigation.