69 students graduate from Cherokee High School

by May 23, 2012COMMUNITY sgadugi, Front Page0 comments

Sixty-nine (69) students received their diplomas during commencement exercises for Cherokee High School at the CHS Arena on Tuesday, May 22. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather photos)

 

By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.

ONE FEATHER STAFF 

     Cherokee High School held commencement exercises for the Class of 2012 in the Cherokee High School Arena on Tuesday, May 22.  A total of 69 students received their diplomas. 

Karleigh Reeves, Class of 2012 Salutatorian, gives her address during Tuesday's commencement.

     “The Class of 2012 has the highest graduation rate ever recorded at Cherokee High School,” Principal Jason Ormsby told the crowd.  “It is higher than the national average and the state average.  The Class of 2012 has much to be proud of.”

     Ormsby related that the Class of 2012 has 19 BETA Club members, 12 National Honor Society members, 18 students heading to a four-year college, 27 students heading to a community college, two entering the military and one entering a technical school. 

     Meshay Long and Gabriel David McMillan graduated with highest honors for having a grade point average (GPA) of 3.9 or higher.  Karleigh Amanda Reeves, Hester Michelle Justice-Bumbaca and Felicia Danielle Owle graduated with high honors for having a GPA of at least 3.75.  Shayna Denise Ledford, Tsalidi Sequoyah, Cheyenne Cay Smith and Alicia Danielle Whiteside graduated with honors for having a GPA of at least 3.5. 

 

Meshay Long, Class of 2012 Valedictorian, gives her address.

    Reeves, Class of 2012 Salutatorian, said during her address, “This year will be impossible to forget.  Friday night football games were some of the best of our lives.” 

     She thanked her family, teachers, and friends and commented, “We’ve been through a lot together.” 

     Long, Class of 2012 Valedictorian, said, “This senior class is like no other.  I expect enormous accomplishments from this class.” 

     She also thanked her family and teachers, “You have set me up for enormous success in my upcoming endeavors.” 

     She encouraged the younger students, “Be yourself, make opportunities and most importantly, be fearless.”

     During the commencement, several awards were given including the following:

* American Legion Outstanding Student Award – Felicia Owle

* NAIWA Award – Karleigh Reeves

* Cherokee Kiwanis Club Award – Meshay Long

     Ray Kinsland, the “Voice of the Braves”, was the keynote speaker for the event.  “You are truly a wonderful group of young ladies and gentlemen.  Most schools represent a town or a community.  Our school represents an entire nation – the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation.” 

     He told the students to appreciate the past and present and to have faith and serve the community, the Tribe and fellow man. 

     Kinsland alluded to this Class’ motto which comes from 1 Timothy 4:12, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young.  Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” 

     He commented, “Thank you for choosing a motto that gives you everything you need.” 

     The Class of 2012 officers included:

* President – Charles Jerae “Dre” Jackson

* Vice President – Amy Linda Lincoln

* Secretary – Abigail Long

* Student Council – Forrest Cole Stamper

     The CHS Class of 2012 included:

Meshay Long

Karleigh Amanda Reeves

Gabriel David McMillan

Hester Michelle Justice-Bumbaca

Felicia Danielle Owle

Shayna Denise Ledford

TsaLiDi Sequoyah

Cheyenne Cay Smith

Alicia Danielle Whiteside

Tierra Lynn Allen

Brittnee Mariah Arch

Willie Wayne Arch

Frederick Wesley Bird

William Douglas Bird

Shakyra Bottchenbaugh

Dakota Aaron Bradley

James Joseph Jackson Bradley

Tasia Kateri Brady

Ashley Loren Bryson

Davis Grae Crowe

Jacob Connor Crowe

Chad Thurman Cucumber

Letitia Lorraine Driver

Julia Uribe Garcia

Cynthia Pierce Guilford

Travis Lee Hicks

Shelby Danielle Hornbuckle

Rhiannon Tancy Hull

Alexandria Jade Jackson

Charles Jerae Jackson

Tamera Lynn Kalonaheskie

Lauren Hope Laws

Chelsea Shantelle Ledford

Amy Linda Lincoln

Abigail Long

Jada Long

Welsey Paul Long

Jessica Myrah McCoy

Kimberly Cree Meuse

Raymond Steven Montelongo

Joseph Adolfo Morales

Dylan Carl Morgan

Teria Cherise Morgan

Lewis Taylor Niccum

Jamison Cain French Oocumma

Heather Nascha Owle

Caleb Isaiah Queen Jr.

Joel Thomas Queen Jr.

Ruby Marie Queen

Stephen McKinley Queen Jr.

Roberto Ramirez Jr.

Alicia Lashaye Rhinehart

Killian Ryan Ruth

Brittany Cheyenne Saunooke

Forrest Cole Stamper

Savannah Marie Stiles

Taylor Lance Toineeta

Elizabeth Gayle Wahnetah

Crystal Lynn Waldroup

Dennis James Walk II

Dalisa Daniela Watty

Darius Tyrun West

Kiah Clark West

T’keiah Rhianna West

Megan Dawn Wilnoty

Jeremy David Wolfe

Jodi Cain Wolfe

Colby Lucas Yanez

Christian Joseph Yates