Central’s First Student Will Graduate with Class of 2011

CENTRAL — The new Central Community School Board took over the public schools in Central on July 1, 2007.  The first day of class for the new school system was Monday, Aug. 13, 2007.

On that morning, the first student to arrive at Central High School was a perky new 9th grader from Texas named Rachel Walden.

Supt. Mike Faulk and then-principal Ronnie Devall were at the front door waiting to greet the first student.  A photo of the three of them  appeared on the front page of the Aug. 16, 2007, issue of the Central City News.

Nearly four years later, that young lady will walk across the stage at Bethany World Prayer Center as a new graduate of Central High School.  Graduation is planned for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 23, 2011.

Now Rachel Walden is ready to take on life — and she’s grateful for the experience she’s had at Central High School.

“It’s been amazing!” she said.  “I’ve had great teachers, wonderful friends, and great counselors.  There have been a lot of people who have supported me along the way.  Some of my friends dropped out of school, but I made all four years, and I am very grateful for all the people at Central High who have been so good to me!”

Before starting at Central High, Rachel homeschooled for a year and a half.  “We had just moved from Texas, and there were a lot of things I didn’t know about Louisiana.  I had some catching up to do, especially on things like Louisiana history.  Mrs. Vicki Magneson homeschooled me, and she did a wonderful job.  She really helped me get ready for high school.”

Rachel had some favorite teachers at Central High.  “My teachers were excellent, and I hate to leave anyone out, but some of the ones that were extra, extra special were de Leon, Baudry, Blanchard, Alford, Dykes, and Soniat.  A lot of us loved to hang out at Mrs. Soniat’s room!  My counselors such as Mr. Scott Worsham made a big difference for me.”

Being new to the Central community in 2007, the photo in the Central City News made quite an impact, she said.  “My teachers all seemed to know me and take a special interest, and many students were very friendly.  It definitely helped me make some friends.  And Mr. Worsham said, ‘You are our first student — you have to graduate!’”

Rachel loves science and really appreciated her science teachers.  She fondly remembers her senior trip to New York City.  “It was awesome.  We went to Broadway and shopped!”

This summer, Rachel and her family will move back to Corpus Christi, Texas, and she will start college.  “Then I want to travel and love my job!” she said.

“I want to thank all my teachers and my wonderful friends in the Class of 2011.  I wish them all well and hope they are all successful.  Please remember me!”

By Woody Jenkins