Sarah Todd, left, and Candice Griggs joke with each other before entering the McKenzie Arena for Ringgold High School’s commencement ceremony early Friday evening.
Staff photo by Dan Henry/Chattanooga Times Free PressPHOTOS OF GRADUATION
See two albums of pictures from graduation. Like the Times Free Press on Facebook to tag the photos.Album one: The eventAlbum two: The diplomas
Less than a month before his high school graduation, Shay Cope’s home and school were destroyed, his father’s business was ruined and his girlfriend’s best friend – his classmate – died in April’s tornadoes.
But as the Ringgold High School senior graduated Friday night he wasn’t sad, angry or bitter about his losses. He was happy he got the chance to finish school.
“To see all my friends and make sure they’re all safe, it was good to see everybody’s all right,” he said standing in McKenzie Arena among 210 other blue-cap-and-gown-clad Tigers. “It’s a blessing.”
Cope’s family is staying with friends while they rebuild their home and business and while Cope and the rest of Ringgold’s students finished their last three weeks of classes at Heritage High School.