Grace Christian School honors Dayton and Piland as valedictorian and salutatorian Contributed Report news@mechocal.com Grace Christian School's (GCS) seventh graduation ceremony was held on Saturday, June 4. Emma Grace Dayton received her diploma as valedictorian of the Class of 2022. Ava Catherine Piland was named the class salutatorian. Dayton is the daughter of Rick and Alison Dayton of Mechanicsville. She has been a varsity cheerleader, basketball and volleyball player, a member of student government and the editor of the school newspaper, The Quill and Crown. Dayton departs GCS having earned 23 dual enrollment college credits. Dayton will be attending Liberty University where she received several scholarships, including the Liberty Virginia High Achiever's Scholarship. She will major in political sci-
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Avery Point THE
EMMA GRACE DAYTON Valedictorian
ence with a minor in journalism. Her aspirations are to pursue a career that allows her to work personally with others and be involved in public policy. Piland is the daughter of Jethro and Mary Catherine Piland of Mechanicsville. She has attended GCS since the sixth grade. Piland has been a member of the cheerleading and volleyball teams all seven years, serving as captain for both teams.
AVA CATHERINE PILAND Salutatorian
She has also served as a lead vocalist in the GCS praise and worship band, One True King, and was elected as the 2021-2022 president of the GCS student body. Piland departs GCS having earned 15 dual enrollment college credits. She will be attending Liberty University. She has not yet declared a major but has strong interests in exercise science, music and the medical field.
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form project will help. “At the end of the day, your train station is the front door to your community,” Stennis said. “…With that being said, I hope that we have made Ashland’s front door improved to a level that you all certainly enjoy it. It helps grow ridership and it adds value to your community.” Randy Marcus of CSX Transportation and director of state relations for Virginia emphasized the important relationship that CSX has built with the Town of Ashland. “This relationship goes well beyond the tracks just physically running through town,” Marcus said. “Ashland has
embraced the railroad, not just for transportation but a part of the community and its identity and a source of tourism marketing.” He said they will continue to work with local leaders in ensuring safe operations in Ashland. Michael McLaughlin, chief operating officer of VPRA, said they have additional upgrades planned for the station, including the incorporation of a passenger information display system that will notify passengers what time and what side of the tracks their train is coming. He said this project is anticipated to take about two years to complete. Ashland District Supervisor Faye Prichard concluded the ceremony by commenting on
the close-knit community of Ashland. She said all residents of the town are part of a family. “And this right here says we care desperately about our family,” she said. “We care enough about them to take care of them. We care enough about them to make sure that they can safely use every amenity in this town.” “We thank everybody who partnered to do this to make this a safe part of our community as well as an enjoyable part,” she added. Trivett, accompanied by project stakeholders and Town of Ashland staff, cut the ceremonial ribbon in honor of the multi-year platform project’s completion, which was followed by an energetic round of applause.
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The Mechanicsville Local June 15, 2022 9
