Hickman, Rock Bridge to honor graduates

Hearnes Center at MU will fill with caps, gowns and emotional families Saturday as Rock Bridge and Hickman high schools say goodbye to another senior class.

Hickman will graduate 630 seniors at the 2 p.m. ceremony, and Rock Bridge will graduate 436 seniors at 7 p.m.

Both ceremonies will feature three student speakers who were selected after auditions to speak on behalf of their classes. At Hickman, they are Wen-xi Wang, Eli Peterson and Salama Gallimore; at Rock Bridge, they are Atasi Satpathy, Sarah Easley and Anne Case-Halferty.

In addition to the presentation of diplomas, bands from both schools will perform. Hickman will also have a performance by senior choir members. Music at the Rock Bridge ceremony will feature both a vocal solo and female quartet from senior students.

Valedictorians for Hickman are Meredith Bartelt, Jessica Hatley, Timothy Hsiau, Rachel Phillips, Alexandra Ristow, Veronica Smith and Whitney Smith.

Rock Bridge valedictorians are Mackenzie Asel, Todd Gingrich and Jolyn Sattizahn.

Douglass High School held its graduation Friday, during which more than 50 seniors were awarded diplomas.