"No more pencils, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks!”

The traditional schoolchildren’s rhyme wasn’t heard vocally at the Appomattox County High School (ACHS) Commencement on Monday night, but some in the Class of 2024 may have been thinking along those lines. Nevertheless, it became a reality as the high school “chapter” of their lives came to an end with the reception of their diplomas.

Graduates, along with their families, friends and school staff, celebrated the end of this current chapter of their lives at Liberty University’s Vines Center.

Two deceased students were given posthumous honors with their families present — Calaeb Alexander Norwell and Jeremiah Lee Tyree. Two chairs in the front row were left empty in their memory, decorated in a graduation cap and gown and adorned with flowers.

Class of 2024 Valedictorian was Ryan Gheen. Salutatorian was Myah Kelso. Keynote speaker was former Raiders football head coach Doug Smith.

There’s more to this in the current issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Support local journalism by purchasing the issue at a local newsstand or subscribing at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to receive the print edition or view the full article in the e-edition version.