Laurel Christian Home Educators will have Commencement exercises of the senior class of 2008 at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 10, at Audubon Drive Bible Church in Laurel.

Nancy Alyssa Barnard, 17, the daughter of Steve and Raenelle Barnard, has been home educated since kindergarten. She has taken formal art lessons throughout her high school years. In addition to her time spent drawing, she also enjoys playing the piano and has taken lessons for the past nine years.

She also enjoys working with children through Vacation Bible School, children’s church, and babysitting. Some of her other interests include reading, being outside, spending time with her family and Bible studies with her church youth group. She has been actively involved in Bible Drill competition since the fourth grade and participated in her ninth state drill in April 2008. She also enjoys being involved in church activities including mission trips and work days. Along with various other community service projects, much of her time is spent caring for her elderly grandmother.

She is employed by American Greetings and also continues to baby-sit. Although she has yet to decide on a college major, She plans to pursue further instruction in art.

Amber Caitlin Brown, 18, the daughter of Richard and Lorie Roach of Buckatunna, has been home educated since the fourth grade. She attends Denham Baptist Church and enjoys participating in the youth group as well as other church activities.

Brown’s extra-curricular activities include piano lessons and ballet classes. In her elementary years she played soccer, but her all-time favorite sport has been softball. For 11 years, she played for the Dixie Youth League in Waynesboro, proudly claiming second base as her territory, although she has played several other positions.

Brown has participated in TeenPact, a week long government class held at the state capital each year. She has also worked with two different political campaigns in New Orleans, La. and Shreveport, La. for Bobby Jindal, the present governor of Louisiana.

Brown enjoys traveling and has been to numerous places in the United States as well as across the border to Mexico City and Guadalajara, Mexico. She is especially fond of the city of Portland, Oregon. She also enjoys fishing, camping, swimming in the creek, and mud riding.

In addition to her home school studies, Brown has worked part-time at a local restaurant for the last two years. She plans to attend Jones County Junior College in the fall. She is currently undecided about a major but has considered a career in public relations.

Caleb Matthew Clanton is the third child of Mike and Pam Clanton, and has been home educated his entire life. He has combined his love of family and history by tracing the roots of his paternal great-grandparents. Clanton’s love of family genealogy began with his deep-seeded interest in history. And while he enjoys researching the past, Clanton’s place in the family's present-day activities is also important. He works daily with the family business. Three seasons out of the year, he continues to operate his lawn care business that he purchased from his brother in 2006, after having worked part-time in the business since 2003.

Not only does Clanton play drums and guitar, but he also composes and has written music and lyrics for a number of original songs. He recently began coin collecting and enjoys studying business and participating in political activities. Clanton attended TeenPact for three years, worked with the Bobby Jindal Campaign Student Project for two years, participated in Bible Drill competition for five years and competed in Speech and Debate with Laurel Christian Home Educators.

Clanton’s plans to delay college in order to work, research, and pursue business interests.