Story and photos courtesy of Hailey Winkleman for WROY/WRUL News
The Harrington-Jeffries Sports Complex was packed to the brim with friends and family celebrating the Carmi-White County High School graduating class of 2023. According to the program, 80 total students graduated this evening. The Ushers for the event were Joseph Gates, Brandi Hineman, Brook Hineman, Ian Mosier, Connor Newell, Alyson Lamont, and Mara Serafini.*
Beginning promptly at 7pm, the ceremony kicked off with seniors walking around the track with Mr. Clinton Wolff and Marshals Maggie Gross and Trey Dixon.* After being welcomed by Principal and Vocational Director Bart King, the class made their way to their seats as the CWCHS Band, directed by Miss Grace Sinclair, played the Processional.
Superintendent Jarrod Newell gave opening remarks wishing the class of 2023 well and thanking them for always displaying #BulldogPride in and out of the classroom during their time at CWCHS. He also recognized the school board, including Kelly Ackerman, Kenneth Hargrave, Brent Edwards, Barbara Mitchell, Kent “Pete” Fulkerson, Nathan Whetstone, and Brent Hammell.
Assistant Principal Todd Haley recognized Ebony Hawkins as the Salutatorian as well as the several Valedictorians: Gage Atteberry, Cameron Courty, Gracie Rawlinson, Saylor Mason, Devani Mendonca, Emma Roedder, Emma Scates, and Tanner Spence.
Each Valedictorian gave a special address as part of the ceremony. A welcome speech was given by Saylor Mason; Tanner Spence and Cameron Courty gave Class History Reflections; Emma Roedder and Gracie Rawlinson gave Words of Wisdom; and Gage Atteberry and Devani Mendonca gave Challenges to the Class of 2023.
After these speeches, the Presentation of Class of 2023 began. Mr. King announced each graduate while Nathan Whetstone and Barbara Mitchell distributed the diplomas.
Emma Scates gave a closing speech, and the graduates at last got to move their tassels to the left.
The CWCHS Band played the recessional as graduates made their way to the end zone to prepare for the cap toss. On the count of three, 80 hats flew into the air, and thus began an impromptu reception full of tears and joy from graduates and their supporters.
Congratulations to the class of 2023!
*Marshals and Ushers are all juniors with a GPA above 3.8.
CWCHS CLASS OF 2023
Dylan Robert Gene Ackerman
Chadessa Reilly Elizabeth Smith
Cheyenne J. Erin Mercer
Jaxen Lee-Walker Albright
Dylan Scott Miller
Gage Clark Atteberry
Draxtyn Jade Aud
Kassi Ann Milligan
Harli Paige Mitchell
Whitney Nicole Baker
Bryson William Moore
Haily Jo Brown
Morgan Lee Brown
Alyssa Lauran Mullins
Daniel Lee Newman
Nathan Paul Brown
Katelyn Dawn Niehaus
McKenzie Nicole Budde
Devin Lawson Oberlender
Cadence Elizabeth Burzynski
Aaron Joshua Collins
Lillian Joan Pollard
Chase Matthew Pringle
Conner Garrett Colman
Mackenzie Ann Pringle
Bryce Michael Conner
Elijah Kenneth Prosise
Cameron Stone Courty
Gracie Autumn Rawlinson
Mckenzie Frances Davis
Gracin Marie Rice
Zoey Marie Davis
Zack Robert Roark
Kadence Turner Driscoll
Emma Zhen Roedder
Victoria Elise Duckworth
Walker Blaine Roser
Jalyza Limbo Duckworth
Ivy Nevaeh Fields
Dacin Matthew Rudolph
Emma Grace Frashier
Emma Louise Rumsey
Hayle Jo Gill
Abrianna Nicole Russell
Tyler David Goemaat
Brenna Alexis Russell
Layne Garrett Gwaltney
Emma Katharine Scates
Kloe Elizabeth Halligan
Shelby Jo Scates
Jacob Lee Schneider
Ebonie Malea Hawkins
Jaxson Michael Smiddie
Emma Jean Helton
Sophia Ahren Smith
Abby Grace Huffer
Tanner Laine Spence
Peyton Blades Inabnit
Jaxon Alan Staton
Kyley Inman
Jessica Riley Stephens
Alexis Faye James
Gracelyn May Stephens
Isaac Mitchell King
Jerrod Ray Stinson
Warren Robert Legg
Shemaine Isabella Lovell
Branten Lyle Stockton
Luci Renee Stubblefield
Saylor Grace Mason
Michael Robert Stull
Andrew Kenneth May
Dallas Kay Sullivan
Katrina Rea McGhee
Hannah Rae Swanberg
Rhider Cale Melvin
Haylie Marie Mendenhall
Emma Mae Wiggins-Childers
Devani Alexandra Mendonca
Matthew Wayne Wilson
