As the class president, Ellis was also the first featured speaker to address the graduating class and guests. In her time at the podium, Ellis reflected on how quickly the time went.
"I never knew a year could fly by so fast," she said. "All year I've been saying, 'I can't wait to get out of here,' and now the time has come and I'm not so sure I'm ready to leave."
"I hope, fellow graduates, that you can all say that you've lived high school to the fullest because life will never be this easy again," Ellis continued. "Thanks to all of you who've made high school what it is, and thank you teachers, coaches and parents for pushing us and preparing us for the next chapter in life."
Co-valedictorians Chase Kirkpatrick and Mollie Lair also shared time behind the podium.
In his speech, Kirkpatrick acknowledged that many people just come out to hear one or two graduate names called and then just want to talk and enjoy themselves the rest of the time, but he offered a reminder.
"Tonight is about more than just one person," Kirkpatrick said. "It is about everyone sitting down on the gym floor, whether they are in a blue robe or a red robe, whether we are graduating with honors or just happy to be here tonight to be finished with school."
Kirkpatrick noted that each senior has made decisions along the way that have led them to where they are now and, as diverse as the class may be, they have a common bond.
"We should remember that we are such a diverse group of people but we will all share one thing in common forever: we are all here tonight being recognized as the Lincoln County High School Class of 2007."
Like Ellis and Kirkpatrick, Lair took time to recall the fond memories made at LCHS, most notably Lincoln's 12th Region finals win over Boyle County in basketball. Lair asked her fellow graduates to hold dear to those memories but to focus on beginning a new chapter in life.
"Starting today, we begin a new chapter of our lives, consisting of our post-graduation plans," Lair said. "We all have different goals and I fully expect for us to achieve them. I know each and every one of you possess the ability and talents to become successful adults and I envision great things for us all."
Lair issued a challenge to the graduates to set their goals high as they write new "chapters" in their life.
"I ask of you to dream more than you thought possible, to set your goals high and never falter in your determination to achieve them," she said. "We write our own futures and we have many more uncompleted chapters of our lives to finish."
After bestowing an Irish blessing on the graduates, Lair closed, "Congratulations Class of 2007, now start writing."
Three seniors received special acknowledgment before the presentation of the 2007 graduates. Travis Allen Wilson was recognized as the only LCHS graduate to receive the Commonwealth Diploma while Ashley Eugenia Phillips was honored for having 14 years perfect attendance and Jonathan Aaron Priddy for 13 years perfect attendance.
Each of the graduates wore a black ribbon in memory of former classmate Robert L. Gordon, who was killed in a car accident in November.
The first members of the 2007 graduating class to receive their diplomas were the class officers and the honor graduates and Upper 15 percent of the class.
Twenty-four students maintained a 4.0 and above grade point average to graduate with high honors. They were: Danielle Rae Bullock, Sarah Beth Burton, Meagan Elaine Culbertson, Alissa Ann Ellis, Matthew Lee Elmore, Katie Michelle Fitzpatrick, Katelin Raye Frederick, Heather Danielle Gadberry, Ashley Brooke Garrison, Robert Michael Hacker, Chase Thomas Kirkpatrick, Kaitlin Terra Kirkpatrick, Mollie Kathleen Lair, Jordan Adam Lane, Steven Andrew Middleton, Latasha Lynn Moran, Sarah Beth Patty, Kelly Ellis Reed, Patsy Marie Richards, Lynsey Marie Robbins, Benjamin Burke Smith, Amy Lane Stevens, Travis Allen Wilson and Sylvania LeAnn Wright.
Rounding out the Upper 15 percent of the class were: William Matthew Cash, Stephen Cody Dean, Paula Elizabeth Gustins, Jared Mackensie Hardwick, Jacob Ryan Johnson, Andi Nichole Martin, Jeremy Russell McBee, Rachael D. McGuffey, Kristin Brooke Patterson, Kevin Scott Pettit, Monica Lynn Poynter, Lisa Marie Rayburn, Kayela Danyale Thomas and Andrew Tyler Vanhook.
