Congratulations to the resilient Class of 2025! We have watched you prevail both personal and academic challenges to make it to this moment. You pushed through against all odds to reach this milestone and we could not be more proud! You earned your diploma and it is more than just a piece of paper — it is a gateway to your future. We are grateful you chose our district to start your career and remember no matter where you may go—"Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger!"
Throughout the ceremony, the 5th graders gave several performances to showcase their talents. There was a beautiful cover of Diamonds led by one of our students. At the end of the ceremony, several students performed a sign language dance in honor of their achievement. We also had students recite a speech and conduct the ceremony. It is truly remarkable how intelligent and confident our scholars have become!
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our 5th Grade Graduation Ceremony. Mr. Elmore, a youth pastor, was a speaker for the event and he did not disappoint! The entire room was moved by his inspiring speech! He encouraged our scholars to not let any circumstance hinder them, and reminded us all that we are in charge of our own destiny.
Our Steel Drum Band gave their final performance of the year at the Promotional Exercise. For our 5th grade drummers, it was their last performance and a heartfelt farewell. We are excited to see them bring their talents to our AFMHS Chorus and Band.
Superintendent Dr. Vallerie Cave and Principal Sheila Leath handed out certificates to our scholars. They take pride in knowing the students have built a strong foundation at our elementary school. 5th grade was full of memories and milestones, but now it's time for the next step in their educational journey. While the transition is bittersweet, it is a moment we anticipate every year.
An exciting day for our 5th graders! Today we held our 5th Grade Graduation at Allendale-Fairfax Elementary School. Our 5th graders are officially moving on and stepping into a whole new world—middle school. They've grown into independent young minds, ready to take on new challenges at our middle school. We are looking forward to seeing how they continue to grow and thrive!
Dear Students and Families,
We have some important reminders and updates regarding the upcoming Graduation Ceremony. Please read all details carefully to ensure you are well-informed. Graduation will be held on tomorrow Friday, May 30th at 7:00 PM at the Tiger Stadium. Students will need to report to the AFES gymnasium for graduation line-up at 5:30 PM. Gates will open at 5:30 PM for guests and will close promptly at 6:50 PM. All guests will enter through the gate nearest to Hwy 278. No entry will be allowed after 6:50 PM. There will be NO exceptions!
This will allow for the graduates to transition to the graduation area for their commencement processional. If you are unable to attend in person, we encourage you to follow our Youtube (@AllendaleCountySchools) or our Facebook (Allendale County Schools). We will have the event professionally live-streamed on these channels. We look forward to celebrating this significant milestone with our graduating class and their families while maintaining a peaceful and safe environment for everyone. In case of inclement weather, the graduation ceremony will be moved to the Allendale-Fairfax Elementary School Gymnasium. Each student will receive a total of 8 tickets. 6 tickets for the gym and 2 for the overflow room. Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to a celebrating our graduates!
Last but not least, Mrs. Marilyn Davis deserves a special shoutout for the beautiful decor she prepared for the event. The colorful, life-sized props really brought everything to life and set an upbeat mood for the ceremony. This level of decor takes lots of effort and preparation, so we appreciate you for taking out the time to make it happen. You are a true team player and we are grateful to have you!
We cannot celebrate the students, without acknowledging our Champions in the Classroom! The children have taken meaningful first steps in their academic journeys, but it is our teachers who walk along to support and guide them. We also want to thank the parents for constantly showing up and pouring into our schools. We are so grateful to the parents, educators, and staff who made this school year a success.
Some scholars were chosen for special awards due to their academic excellence and improvement. This achievement is the first of many, and we are so proud of how they have evolved this year. From morning songs to story time and counting to 100, our kindergarteners have come so far. We are so honored to help our little ones celebrate their big day!
During the ceremony, the students gave several endearing performances. It shows that our students have learned more than academics — they’ve also built the confidence to sing and speak. Our students have spent this year building foundational skills that will support a lifetime of success. We are so excited for their next steps and to welcome them back next year!
What a joyful day at Allendale-Fairfax Elementary, as we celebrated Kindergarten Graduation! There were big smiles, tiny caps, and proud families all across the gymnasium. Today was a beautiful reminder of how much growth and progress our children have made with early education. This day marks the end of one chapter and the exciting start of another. We cannot wait to see how our rising first graders will thrive next school year!
This week's edition of The People-Sentinel features the 2025 Graduation Section! This 28-page special section recognizes our very own graduating seniors, plus those from Barnwell! Make sure to grab a copy to preserve this special moment. This keepsake is a way to honor their hard work and mark an major milestone. Years from now, it will be a cherished reminder of how far they’ve come, so don't hesitate! Copies are in local grocery stores, convenience stores, and other local businesses for $1. An online version is also available at www.thepeoplesentinel.com/graduation-section. Congratulations to the Class of 2025 and thank you for supporting local news!
Last but not least, let's congratulate Dhailauna Taylor-Maner and Logan Fullington for also being part of our Top Ten Percent. Dhailauna will be a student at the University of South Carolina Columbia, while Logan will be attending North Carolina Central University. These young women worked extremely hard to persevere through this journey. They have almost reached the moment they deserve, and we cannot wait to celebrate them!
Let's applaud Sinaya Owens and Rebekah Powers for also making the Top Ten Percent of their class. Both Sinaya and Rebekah are dedicated JROTC officers. Rebekah will continue her career in the U.S. Marines while Sinaya will be enrolling at the University of South Carolina Columbia Campus. Your Tiger Family will miss you!
Brianna Holmes and Seth Krebs are also in our Top Ten Percent! Brianna is a licensed cosmetologist before even graduating, and we are so impressed! Seth has been enrolled in dual enrollment courses, so he will also have a head start! We are so proud of both of these students for taking initiative and being consistent!
We are excited to finally announce the Top Ten Percent of our graduating class! Jaylen Outing is our Valedictorian for the Class of 2025. His involvement in several of our programs-such as Student Government, Varsity Basketball, and BETA Club-speaks to his ability to stay balanced and focused. Jaylen has a great head on his shoulders and we know that he is bound for success! We are also proud to announce Miss Ariana Priester as our Salutatorian for the Class of 2025. Ariana serves as the Senior Class President and has served in several leadership roles at our school. She is a natural born leader and we look forward to her continued growth! Each of these students worked extremely hard to earn these titles, and we know that they will represent them well at our graduation ceremony tomorrow.
We were excited to celebrate our young scholars at Allendale-Fairfax Elementary School. To keep spirits high, the AFES Cheerleaders gave several performances throughout the ceremony. Students received honors for Principal's List, Honor Roll, and Perfect Attendance. Plus students who embodied integrity for the month of April were selected as Students of the Month. We are always glad to see family and friends come out to uplift our students, especially at a time like this when they need extra support.
Apologies for the delay, but we couldn't let the school year end without celebrating our April Birthdays! We are sorry we missed the announcement earlier, but we still want you to feel loved and celebrated! We hope your year has started off wonderfully and that your special day was filled with joy. We value having you on our team and look forward to another promising year ahead!
Greetings Tiger Family,
I hope this message finds you well. After continued collaboration with state, county, and local law enforcement agencies, we have made the decision to move the 2025 Allendale-Fairfax High School Commencement Ceremony back to the TIGER Stadium. This decision was made in the best interest of our students and families so our 2025 Senior Class can have the ceremony they so deserve.
We remain committed to a safe, dignified, and memorable graduation experience. To that end, law enforcement from multiple agencies will be on site and any violations of safety protocols will result in immediate removal and possible arrest.
Please review and follow the expectations below:
• No bags will be allowed.
• No flowers, balloons, or noise-making devices are permitted.
• All guests will be screened using metal detectors and handheld wands.
• All guests must remain seated throughout the ceremony.
• Photographs must be taken from your seat—no approaching the stage or aisles.
• No loitering before or after graduation will be allowed.
• Guests must exit the stadium immediately following the ceremony.
• If inclement weather occurs, graduation will be held indoors at the Allendale-Fairfax Elementary School Gymnasium.
The ceremony will be professionally live-streamed on our YouTube channel and Facebook page for those unable to attend.
Thank you for your cooperation and support as we celebrate the Class of 2025 with the safety, pride, and unity our community deserves.
With much love and respect,
Dr. Vallerie Cave, Superintendent
The Allendale-Fairfax High School Staff