Thirty years from now at some local trivia night in Hopkinsville, some host is going to ask: “Who was the last person to graduate from Christian County High School?”
And that answer will be: “Kenson E. Word.”
His classmates screamed, threw dollar bills in the air, hooted and hollered like it didn’t matter.
Because it didn’t. This was it. Forever.
Standing-room only in Lyle Dunbar Gymnasium Friday night, the final class of Colonels popped off their caps, and bounded happily into the future — once again circumventing adversity by having to embrace the 67th, and final, graduation indoors on a soggy Memorial Day weekend.
Chosen by students to speak on their behalf, 27-year Christian County social studies teacher and Hall-of-Fame wrestling coach Robert Burnham — a discharge of Fort Campbell and the U.S. Army, before leaping into education — said he was honored to be the school’s final call to the microphone.
And he offered up three unique challenges to this group.
Known for his selfies with students, faculty and staff — often showcasing his wide array of neckties — Burnham closed by taking out his phone, and taking a wide panorama with the entire class behind him.
Christian County’s final class president, Lacey Paige, said Burnham was the perfect candidate to help the community say goodbye to a historic chapter in the district.
A CCPS staff member for the past two decades and the Colonels’ final principal, Megan Kem noted Christian County High School will remain a special place, even after consolidation with Hopkinsville.
Kem said three seniors were present every single day this year: Addison Grace Gilkey, Matthew Houchens and Paiton Nielsen.
Furthermore, Kem honored the 10 top graduates, as well as co-salutatorians and a valedictorian.
A moment of silence was held, and an honorary diploma bestowed, for the late Gabriel Reese Byrum. The infant son of Autumn Greenwell and Aaron Byrum, he died March 30, 2008, just 37 days old, following a car crash along U.S. 68.
FULL CELEBRATION
