Home School Graduates

The homeschool support group held their 2013 commencement ceremony on Friday evening, May 17 at the Hume Christian Church. Graduating Seniors were: Hunter Logan Clayton, son of Chris and Noel Clayton, Adrian; Jael Elizabeth Hough, daughter of Bob and Elizabeth Hough, Rockville; Tiffany Marie Newkirk, daughter of Clayton and Valerie Newkirk, Butler, and Linda Newkirk, Rockville; and Nash Elijah Smalley, son of Jack and Susan Smalley, Amoret. Eighth grade graduates were: Ella Leann Armentrout, daughter of Mark and Carla Armentrout of Hume; Jeremiah Chato Jenkins, son of Mark and Felnena Jenkins, Nevada; Jonathan David Perkins, son of Bill and Sharon Perkins, Butler; and Charlene Watson, daughter of Bruce and Scarlett Watson, Rockville. 

Special recognition was given during the ceremony to Susan Smalley and Elizabeth Hough, founders of the Hearth and Home Educators group. Both women received a bouquet of flowers in honor of their 18 years of support group leadership and their retirement from home education. The Smalley family has homeschooled three children over the course of 25 years. The Houghs have homeschooled five children over the past 28 years.  Carla Armentrout and Beth Doody were introduced as the new leadership team for Hearth and Home Educators, and under their leadership HHE will continue to provide support to homeschooling families in Bates County. 

The graduation ceremony was followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall where graduates had tables of memories from their school days on display. Congratulations to the HHE Class of 2013!