School will officially graduate the Class of 2017 on Monday, May 22 at noon when 515 seniors cross the stage at the South Florida Fairgrounds, representing four long years of hard work and dedication. Principal James Campbell is looking forward to seeing another set of students graduate. “It is always the culminating point of the year,” he said. “It’s always the biggest event we have during the school year, and this is the one I enjoy, personally, the most. There’s no experience like seeing the students’ faces when they come across the stage.” The school’s graduation rate has been increasing each year, he said, with the school’s highest being this year at 92 percent. He hopes to raise it to 94 percent next year. “It would be a tremendous, tre- mendous percentage for us, and it is a big source of pride when you look at a student,” Campbell said. “They started in ninth grade and they complete all four years with you, without all of the different things that can occur during that time frame, not getting in the way and not diverting from the path.” Another source of pride for the school is Valedictorian Rowan Pel- frey and Salutatorian Alyssa Pace. year process. “My sophomore year, I found out I was No. 2, so I took on as many classes as I could, and once I became No. 1 the summer after my sophomore year, I did everything I could to make sure I stayed at No. 1,” she said. The final news came early in 2017 that she had held the top spot through the final stretch. “I just wanted to be the best that I could,” she said. Pelfrey wanted to be in the top of her class, and when she saw the goal was obtainable, she worked hard to achieve it. Learn- ing that she was officially the first in the class took a weight off her shoulders. Her parents are proud of her accomplishment, including the 4.0 GPA that earned her the vale- dictorian title. Pelfrey, who is involved with choir and theater, will attend the University of North Florida for musical theater. She is collaborat- ing with band student Jake Krates, who wrote music to accompany Pelfrey’s lyrics that she will be singing during her graduation speech. Her fondest memory in high school, she said, is the shared times she had with her friends in theater the same events,” she said. At UNF, Pelfrey will be double- majoring in musical theater and history. “I’d love to be a profes- sional actor,” she said. Additionally, she is interested in dramaturgy, which involves the re- search behind a professional show to ensure it is properly put together. For anyone aspiring to reach the top ranks of their class, Pelfrey stresses the need to work hard. “Everybody wants time off, but you really have to put that first. Business first, and then you can have fun,” she said, noting that she was able to have fun as well. She suggests taking as many high-level college classes as pos- sible, and working to do a good job in those classes rather than taking them just to take them. “Really put the effort in, because that makes the difference,” Pelfrey said. Pace will join Pelfrey on stage as salutatorian. Pace was on a field trip the day the top 10 students in the class were called to the office. When she returned, she was told by one of the school’s guidance counselors. “I was excited,” she said. “I worked really, really hard, not only this year, but all of my years of high school to take rigorous this year, just to maintain my grade point average not only to be in the top 10, but for the possibility of being valedictorian or salutatorian. That was the moment that I knew that all of my work and all of my studying and efforts had really paid off.” Pace’s parents were extremely proud of her for reaching her goal, especially after watching her study and put forth such dedication. During graduation, Pace will present a speech, which she is still working on. “I’d like to talk to my high school experience as a whole,” she said. Speaking in front of her peers, the students she has spent the past four years with, is something Pace is looking forward to. “I’m really looking forward to telling everyone how much I ap- preciated the experience I had in high school and how much I en- joyed my teachers and my peers,” she said. “I’m looking forward to giving everyone a slice of what our high school experience was like.” Her fondest high school mem- ory was the first day of her AP calculus class. On the first day, her teacher had the students race down the halls in office chairs to calcu- late the speed and the distance. “That’s something that I’ll al- ways remember. I thought was extremely unique,” Pace said. “It caught my attention right away, and it ended up having a huge impact on me and leading me to pursue more math classes. Now I’m going to major in biomedical engineering.” Pace will be attending the Uni- versity of Florida. Eventually, she’d like to attend medical school and become a surgeon. For students looking to rank high in their class, Pace encour- ages them to set goals. “When you set a goal, let that be your motivation. Let that motivate you to do the work that is required to achieve your goal,” she said. There are sacrifices that she made along the way, such as pri- oritizing taking more classes over having more free time to spend with friends and family. “I had to miss out on some nights of fun, going out, to stay back and do some homework, but keeping my ultimate goal in mind, I let that motivate me through the hard times when maybe it was dif- ficult to see the goal,” Pace said. “Keep the big picture in mind, be- cause eventually, your hard work does pay off.” Valedictorian Rowan Pelfrey Salutatorian Alyssa Pace Over 70% Off Retail Custom Frame Pricing We Frame Anything and Everything – Sports Jerseys, Diplomas, Family Photos, Memorabilia, Fine and Decorative Art. 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It will be going on all day. • Jewelry Repair of all kinds • Appraisals • Watch Batteries and Repair • Custom Made Jewelry • Enamel Repair • Ring Sizing • Class Rings • Engraving (Hand, Computer, and Laser) • Trophy Making • Sell us your gold or Turn it into a completely new piece. Now with Four locations for your shopping convenience Page 6 April 28 - May 4, 2017 www.gotowncrier.com The Town-Crier ‘Suessical Jr.’ At Elbridge Gale Elbridge Gale Elementary School’s after-school program will hold its spring production of Suessical Jr. on Friday, May 5 at 7 p.m. For more information, call Denise Halperin at (561) 422- 9313, ext. 59313. Volunteer Event At Barky Pines Barky Pines Animal Rescue & Sanctuary will host a “Good Hands Gettin’ Dirty” event on Sat- urday, April 29. Grab your friends, gloves and tools and head to Barky Pines, located at 6521 Carol Street in Loxahatchee. At the event, volunteers will put their gardening and building skills to great use helping define and cre- ate a welcoming front entrance to the sanctuary, as well as help com- plete the interior of a new building. Plants, mulch, dirt and pavers will be on hand. Donations of building materials are always needed. Drinking water will be sup- plied free of charge. Lunch will be offered for a donation of $5. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Anyone unable to attend can make a donation at www.barkyp- inesanimalrescue.com. Donations received by Barky Pines during the month of April will be matched 15 percent by the Allstate Insurance Company. For more information, call (561) 402-1451. Sign Language Show At WHS Wellington High School’s American Sign Language Club will present “Youth of a Nation,” a story told through signed songs with an important message of love, on Friday, April 28 at 6 p.m. at the WHS theater. Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for adults. The school is located at 2101 Green- view Shores Blvd. For more info., call (561) 795-4900. ‘Star Wars’ Movie Night At Commons Park The Village of Royal Palm Beach will host “Revenge of the Fifth,” a free “Star Wars” movie night featuring Rogue One: A Star Wars Story at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park on Friday, May 5. The movie will start at 8:15 p.m. The evening will also feature more than 15 food trucks. Come early for special character appear- ances. Guests are invited to come dressed as their favorite “Star Wars” character. Be sure to bring seating. For more info., visit www. royalpalmbeach.com. Christie’s Critters Golf Tourney May 13 The Christie’s Critters Spring Scramble golf tournament will take place Saturday, May 13 with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Dunes Course at Palm Beach Polo & Country Club (11198 Polo Club Road, Wellington). The cost is $120 per golfer or $450 per foursome, and includes green fees, a cart, a lunch buffet and more. There will also be contests, including a $10,000 hole- in-one contest, a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle. Sponsorships are available. For more information, visit www.christiescritters.org. Food Giveaway May 11 In Belle Glade Palm Beach County Commis- sioner Melissa McKinlay and other elected officials will host the Fantastic Food Giveaway on Thursday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hands Park (500 NW Fifth Street, Belle Glade). At the event, families will re- ceive a carton of food including fruits, vegetables, bread and other staples at no charge, while supplies last. Registration is not required. The event is sponsored by Farm Share, a nonprofit dedicated to re- covering, sorting and distributing nutritious food for people in need. For additional information, contact Kelley Burke at kburke@ pbcgov.org or (561) 355-2206. College Fair At WHS On May 3 Wellington High School will host a college fair for high school juniors and their parents on Wednesday, May 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. The free event is in collab- oration with Palm Beach Central, Royal Palm Beach and Seminole Ridge high schools. Parents and students from these area high schools will have an op- portunity to learn more about the college application and financial aid process. They will also be able to gather information from various colleges, universities, technical and career schools, tutors and higher education planners who will participate in the event. The fair, sponsored by the Wel- lington High School Guidance Department, will be held in the au- ditorium. The school is located at 2101 Greenview Shores Blvd. For more info., call (561) 795-4900. Genealogical Society Meeting The Genealogical Society of Palm Beach County will meet Saturday, May 13 at 1:30 p.m. at Palm Beach County Main Li- brary on Summit Blvd. featuring Dr. John Philip Colletta’s video lecture “Assembling an Account of Your Discoveries.” Colletta is one of America’s most popular genealogical lecturers. After the video, board members will answer questions. For more information, call (561) 616-3455 or e-mail an-
[email protected]. Barbecue At RPB Chabad May 14 Chabad of Royal Palm Beach (129 Sparrow Drive) will host a community barbecue on Sunday, May 14 starting at 4 p.m. The bar- becue will be a family event where everyone is welcome. For more information, call (561) 225-1766. Amber’s Animal Outreach Golf Event June 3 Amber’s Animal Outreach will host its third annual golf tourna- ment, Paws & Putts on the Green, on Saturday, June 3 at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens. The 18-hole tour- nament will begin with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $175 per player, $600 per foursome and $50 for the luncheon and awards ceremony only. To register online, visit www.aaodog.org/golf. NEWS BRIEFS Low Cost Vaccinations Sunday, May 7, 2017 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Tina Dochniak, DNP, ARNP A MINOR EMERGENCY WALK-IN CLINIC FOR KIDS & ADULTS Colds • Flu • Physicals - DOT, Work & School • Rashes • Minor Burns • Auto Accidents • UTI & More FAMILY PRACTICE MEDICINE General Health & Annual Physicals • Prevention & Wellness • Chronic Disease Management • Women’s Health and Annual Exams • Flu & Pneumonia Immunizations DEEP TISSUE LASER THERAPY relieves pain and inflammation associated with: Neck • Knee • Low Back Pain • Sciatica • Arthritis • Neuropathy • Fibromyalgia • Toe Nail Fungus & More! 561-231-5200 13475 Southern Blvd. Suite 100, Loxahatchee www.idealfamilypractice.com Ideal Family Practice & Walk- In Express Care HOURS: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 a.m. - Noon Wednesday Complimentary Evaluation & Laser Treatment Coupon ($175 Value) Please bring coupon with you. Offers ends May 31, 2017 Just west of Palms West Hospital on the NE corner of Southern & Big Blue Trace Stephanie Wise, ARNP We are pleased to welcome to our practice Susan Solomon-Grimes, ARNP Kristin Beauchesne, ARNP High Quality Dentistry Doesn’t Have To Cost A Fortune Open Saturdays • Early & Late Hours Available • Dental Emergencies Welcomed LEARN TO DANCE! We’re Wellington’s ONLY Ballroom and Latin dance studio offering private lessons, group lessons, and dance parties. No Partner Necessary Located in the Wellington Marketplace 13889 Wellington Trace #A-23 • Wellington, FL 33414 561-753-7386 DANCEALLNIGHTBALLROOM.COM $50 Intro Course 3 - 30 Minute Private Lessons $10 Group Classes BACHATA GROUP CLASS For the Month of April Only $10 Thursdays at 8 p.m. Dog Pack 1 Rabies 5 in 1 Bordetella Lyme Heartworm Test $93.00 Dog Pack 2 Rabies 5 in 1 Bordetella Heartworm Test $80.00 Dog Pack 3 Rabies 5 in 1 Bordetella $59.00 Puppy Pack 5 in 1 Bordetella Deworming $59.00 Cat Pack 1 Rabies 4 in 1 Leukemia FeLV test $75.00 Cat Pack 2 Rabies 4 in 1 Leukemia $55.00 Kitten Pack 2 4 in 1 Leukemia Deworming FeLV test $75.00 Kitten Pack 1 4 in 1 Leukemia Deworming $55.00 Low Cost Vaccinations Sunday, May 7, 2017 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Red Barn Feed & Supply 12948 Okeechobee Blvd. • Loxahatchee DOG STUFF CAT STUFF Flea Products and Heartworm preventive available for sale. Please have all dogs on leashes and cats in carriers Services Provided by: 561-236-7365 email:
[email protected] Attending Veterianian: Virginia Sayre, D.V.M. Open S KA De Of S With A • Implants & Cosm • Implant Support • Laser Treatmen • Oral Sedation • Dentures • Braces / Invisali • Kid’s Dentistry • Root Canals • Wisdom Teeth • Same Day Cosm • Digital Impressi Services: 9810 Hi Palm B P Dr. Krunal Patel
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