First Flight High School

Nighthawk Award

First Flight High School graduating senior Zachary Nelson receives the 2010 Nighthawk Award from Principal Arty Tillett at the FFHS commencement on June 11, 2010. The Nighthawk Award is given to a senior that is nominated by their classmates, a student who stands out as being well-rounded and involved in school as a participant or spectator in all types of school events. In addition to being supportive of peers and respectful of themselves and others, this student maintains a positive attitude. At FFHS, Nelson has been a member of the marching band, Jazz band and the concert band, cross country and track teams. In spite of physical challenges, Nelson has run in the Outer Banks Marathon for four years, and has improved his time each year. He plans to continue his education to become a chef.

Two hundred fourteen First Flight High School students and four Dare County Alternative School students were awarded diplomas at the 2010 FFHS commencement on the evening of June 11 at the FFHS Stadium.

As the First Flight High School band played Pomp and Circumstance under Band Director Bob Ebert, participants and platform guests entered the stadium to begin the commencement ceremony for the FFHS Class of 2010: Dare County Board of Education Chair David Oaksmith, Vice Chair Walter Holton, Bea Basnight, Ben Cahoon, Anthony Fletcher, Margaret Lawler and Ben Sproul, with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sue Burgess, Assistant Superintendent John Winston, and Director of Secondary Instruction Nancy Griffin, FFHS administrators Principal Arty Tillett and Assistant Principals Lydia Harrison and Dennis Reaser, Dare County Alternative School Principal Dr. Richard Martin, and FFHS 2009-10 Teacher of the Year Dawn Edwards. Joining Board members and administrators on the platform were graduates - Senior Class President Carson Fish, Senior Class Treasurer Sean O'Neal, SGA Secretary Stacey Kelly, Senior Class secretary Chelsey Fenyak, SGA Vice President Jamie McNeill, FFHS Class of 2010 Salutatorian Jordan Rhodes, Senior Class Vice President Andrew Martin, FFHS Class of 2010 Valedictorian Patrick Gray; with flag bearers, Junior Academic Marshals Bryan Robison and David Spruill. Marshals serving in other capacities were Charles Brady, Meredith Fish, Keaten Frey, Tyler House, Rachel Miller, Barbara Olbrichova, Daniel Stublen, and Taylor Swankie.

For the program, Fish provided the welcome and led the Pledge of Allegiance that was followed by the FFHS chorus singing the alma mater and "Flying Free" under the direction of Cezette Barnes. "Inspirational Remarks" were delivered by O'Neal, and Kelly introduced platform guests; Principal Tillett recognized Honor Graduates, and Fenyak introduced North Carolina Scholars. McNeill gave words of appreciation prior to Salutatorian Jordan Rhodes' address; Martin introduced keynote speaker, FFHS 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year Dawn Edwards. Patrick Gray delivered the valedictory address, followed by Principal Tillett's presentation of the 2010 Nighthawk Award to Zachary Nelson. For the main event, Principals Tillett and Martin awarded their students diplomas as called up by Assistant Principals Reaser and Harrison. With their diplomas in hand, caps soared in the early evening sky as Superintendent Burgess declared each as official graduates of First Flight High School.

FFHS 2010 Valedictory Address

First Flight High School Senior, 2010 Class Valedictorian Patrick Gray delivers the valedictory address at FFHS Commencement Exercises on June 11. Two hundred fourteen FFHS students and four Dare County Alternative School students were awarded diplomas at the evening ceremony.

FFHS Keynote

2009-2010 First Flight High School Teacher of the Year Dawn Edwards was the keynote speaker at the 2010 FFHS Commencement on June 11. From Edwards' left, front - FFHS assistant Principals Lydia Harrison and Dennis Reaser, Dare County Alternative School Principal Dr. Richard Martin, FFHS Principal Arty Tillett, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sue F. Burgess.

It's Official

As Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sue Burgess officially declared members of First Flight High School's Class of 2010 as graduates of Dare County Schools and the state of North Carolina on June 11, the new grads tossed their caps in the air to celebrate.