Paris, Tenn.—Henry County High School will add a new graduation tradition this year with a new symbol of the school. The Henry County High School Mace will lead the processional of students and faculty during the 49th commencement exercises at Patriot Stadium on Friday, May 18.
The ceremonial academic mace was crafted entirely at the school by Student Lane Hoskins (Class of 2018) with the support of teachers John Harrison (Class of 1995) and Ryan Inman. Hoskins will be the first Mace Bearer, and he will present the mace as a gift to HCHS.
“I am happy to donate the mace to HCHS. I am especially grateful to Mr. Harrison for his guidance and help with this project and to Mr. Inman for the engraving. It is an awesome honor to be chosen by the graduation committee to present the mace during my class’ graduation ceremony,” said Hoskins.
“It was a great challenge for Lane and myself to create this wonderful piece of art. It was something that I knew Lane could do. I am very proud of how the mace turned out,” Harrison said.
Teacher Dr. David W. Webb (Class of 1986) designed the mace in anticipation of the school’s 50th anniversary, which will be in 2019. Athletic Director Mike Poteete donated the native maple wood that was once part of an old barn located on Old Union Road in Henry County.
“A mace for my alma mater was a dream of mine for several years, but having one custom made by a company was cost prohibitive. Several months ago, everything came together to have a custom mace created in-house: a new lathe, a new engraving machine, antique native wood, and a talented student craftsman with teachers willing to support him. We often used the words, ‘I’m excited!’ at each stage of the project,” said Webb.
The mace weighs 9.2 pounds and is 48 inches long. The Henry County High School Alma Mater, written by Lamar Roberts and composed by William F. Crosswy, is engraved into the flame of knowledge. The Alma Mater refers to the high school as “our guiding light” and “a beacon held on high.”
The Henry County High School Crest is etched on one side of the mace head. The other side features an engraved list of the former county high schools and two dates: 1906 and 1969. Free public high school education began in Henry County in 1906 with the creation of E.W. Grove-Henry County High School in Paris. Buchanan, Central, Cottage Grove, E.W. Grove, Henry, Puryear, and Springville high schools were consolidated into Henry County High School in 1969.
“The beautiful symbol of Henry County High School will add to the dignity of graduation ceremonies and honors our history and tradition of excellence in high school education. The mace will lead graduation processionals for years to come,” said Webb.
To display the mace, Cabinet Corner, Inc., of Paris designed and donated a quartz base.
In antiquity, maces were practical weapons and later used as symbols of military authority. Knights carried them in processions to protect their kings. Beginning around the middle of the 13th century, sergeants-at-arms carried civic maces, and they eventually became representative of peaceful leadership. Ceremonial maces are used by governing bodies worldwide, including the U.S. House of Representatives and the British Parliament.
Maces appeared in European universities during the 14th century and now lead academic processions at commencements and other special ceremonial events all over the world. The heavy weight of maces is a reminder that scholarship is challenging. As ancient symbols of authority and leadership, maces remind academic institutions that they are the custodians of the enduring traditions of education.
Photos: Teacher John Harrison and Student Lane Hoskins working on the mace; details of the mace. (Photos by David Webb).
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