BANGS – The Bangs High School graduation ceremony for the Class of 2024 will take place at 8 p.m. Friday, May 24 at Memorial Stadium.

Raylee Hutchins, daughter of Brent and Jennifer Hutchins, is the valedictorian while Hannon Greaves, daughter of Todd and Sandi Greaves, is the salutatorian.

“It’s a big honor,” Hutchins said of earning the valedictorian accolade, a goal she had been eyeing since her freshman year in high school. “There was a lot competitiveness between us in the classroom and a lot of competing with yourself. But we weren’t always going for valedictorian, we just wanted good grades.”

Greaves echoed similar sentiments as the class salutatorian, saying, “We both know it’s a huge honor, not necessarily something we directly aimed for but something that we did work very hard for. We’re very proud of our place and to be rewarded for our hard work.”

Hutchins will be attending Tarleton State University in Stephenville.

“I haven’t decided my major but I’ve been leaning more toward doing physical therapy for dogs,” Hutchins said. “I love animals and I think it’d be fun to work with dogs all the time and help them to walk and get better.”

Greaves, meanwhile, is headed to Texas State in San Marcos to study Psychology and Theater.

“I want to be a theatrical therapist, which is someone who uses theater to help with therapy,” Greaves said. “I’ve always been a theater kid but I’ve always wanted to help people. Since I was little I knew I was going to be in some kind of social work, so I like to use what I enjoy to help other people because it’s helped me. It’s definitely been my life long dream, just to help people.”

Regarding how Bangs has helped prepare the Class of 2024 for college, Greaves said, “As someone who did a lot of dual credit, it really does open doors to what it truly will be like in college. It’s given us lots of opportunities. We’ll go in with extra credits in college and we’ll be more prepared for the course work we’re given. They strive for us to be in it here and encourage it, and not a lot of schools offer that. It’s made a huge impact on a going to college and understanding the work and having an upper hand.”

Hutchins chimed in, “We were able to get a lot of the basics knocked out.”

As for what they will miss most about Bangs High School, Hutchins said, “I’ll definitely miss the sports, my teammates, my coaches, and the teachers here, they’ve been amazing. And I’ll miss my classmates, all the underclassmen, everyone here.”

Extracurriculars for Hutchins included PALS, volleyball, basketball, track, and the stock show. “I showed pigs but recently mainly just showed rabbits,” Hutchins said. “I also did home site judging for three years.”

Greaves said of her fondest memories of Bangs High, “Going to a small school you really get connected to everyone around you. I know everyone in our grade and in some way, shape or form we’re all connected. It’s a hard thing to leave, especially to go a really big school in a big town. That’s going to be a huge difference from knowing everyone. I’m going to miss the close tight-knit family feel in the school and town.”

Greaves took part in theater in high school, along with debate and UIL up until her senior year.

Both Hutchins and Greaves were members of the National Honor Society, serving officers. “We did a lot of volunteer work, like going to the elementary school and help with stuff there,” Greaves said.

Both graduates wanted to extend thanks to those who have helped them on their journey thus far.

“Everyone here – my classmates, teachers, coaches, my family and God overall,” Hutchins said.

Greaves said, “I had a huge support system. My family, the staff and administration here pushed us above and beyond and they’ve gone out of their way to help us and encourage us. I also want to thank my dog.”

Looking 10 to 15 years into the future, Hutchins said, “I hope school is done, I have a job figured out, hopefully by then I have a family”

Greaves added, “I’ll be graduated from college, living in some city, working as a theatrical therapist with my dog, living my best life.”