Twelve graduates write John Essex High’s bittersweet final chapter

Students tugged nervously at their gowns and adjusted their tasseled caps, anxiously awaiting that one and only time they’d walk across the stage to receive high school diplomas.

For John Essex High School’s 12 graduating seniors Friday night, the inescapable emotions that come with arguably life’s most significant milestone were magnified exponentially, for they realized they would be the last class to walk across that stage.

“I’m happy to be graduating, but sad that our school is closing,” said Michael Moore before the event began. “This school has brought me happiness, a great education and some great friends.”

Moore’s fellow graduate Jaylon Worthy agreed. “I’ve been at this school all my life,” he said of the institution that opened its doors in 1966. “I hate to see it closing down, because we’ll have nothing to come back to. But we’ll stay close.”

The Marengo County Board of Education voted last month to cease operations at the school this year, citing declining enrollment.

Senior sponsor and social studies teacher Jessica Skelly echoed the students’ sentiments. “This is a special night,” she said. “We’re recognizing the junior class too – they’ll have special seating for graduation because this is the last time they’ll be together, too.

“This is a community school,” Skelly continued. “It’s rooted in the community. This group of seniors is excited about graduating, but there’s a bittersweetness to it.”

Those emotions extended to John Essex alumni as well.

“I graduated from John Essex 40 years ago, and I had to come back and see this last class walk across the stage,” said Mitchell Congress of Demopolis. “We had some great times in this building, and John Essex has been a cornerstone in this community. There’ll be some tears tonight.”

But for all the poignancy surrounding the event, the Class of 2014 received its due attention once the event began, and the 12 graduates who will close the door on John Essex High School’s long and proud history were all smiles as they walked down the aisle to cheering parents, family and friends.