Stone High's top grads aspire to be women in science

PERKINSTON -- A sunset ceremony on the 50-yard-line at A.L. May Stadium was the perfect setting for a high school graduation Friday.

In a celebration that had a "Friday night lights" atmosphere, Stone High School's graduates walked the field at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College with crowds cheering and bright stadium lights shining on the "players," who sported tassel-festooned mortarbords instead of helmets.

Among the 174 scholars were two young women who are entering college academics in STEM -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Valedictorian Morgan Baker will major in mechanical engineering in the fall at Princeton University. Salutatorian Carly Floss will major in aerospace engineering with a concentration in astronautics at Mississippi State University. They are among a growing number of women researchers in fields traditionally monopolized by men.

During her valedictory speech, Baker quoted British author J.R.R. Tolkien: "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."

Carly Foss also revealed her humor during her salutatorian speech saying, "While my speech may not be the most memorable, wittiest or most clever, I did keep it short like you asked."

This story was originally published May 21, 2016 at 8:42 AM with the headline "Stone High's top grads aspire to be women in science ."