SHS Seniors earn nearly $1 million in scholarships at Honors Night

Swainsboro High School held its annual senior honors program Thursday, May 15, in the SHS auditorium. Students who have exceeded expectations during the last four years were awarded with scholarships, recognitions, and distinctions. Seniors Adam Kay and Akira Marion opened the program.

SPECIAL AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS:

The American Legion School Award was presented to TyKerria Phillips as the valedictorian of the graduating class. Sha’Riya McClendon was presented with an award for Military Excellence.

The Daughters of the American Revolution Award, which is given each year by the local chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, was presented to Bryson Tarver. This award recognizes the senior who best exemplifies the overall quality of citizenship.

The Coca-Cola Principal’s Choice Award is sponsored by Coca-Cola and recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of the two top students in the senior class. The award this year went to TyKerria Phillips and Bryson Tarver.

Principal Brandon Andrews presented the Jostens Principal Award to Bryson Tarver. This award is given to a student from the top 10% of the class who exhibits the qualities of leadership, character, and academic excellence.

Bo Brown was recognized as STAR Student (SHS and Emanuel County) for being the senior who has the highest SAT score in one sitting. Brown selected Dr. Gene Hundley, SMS Band Director, as his STAR Teacher. Bo was also recognized for being a Georgia Scholar. One of only 145 students in the state to be honored for their excellence in academic and community life.

Cari Phillips was recognized as the 12th grade winner of the Young Georgia Authors Writing Contest. It is open to any student enrolled in Georgia public schools, and no prompt is given.

Brice Marchman and Akira Marion were recognized for being named the Exchange Club Youths of the Year for SHS. They were selected because they show strong character, leadership, academic performance, and community service.

Several seniors were recognized for their enlistment in the military. Zi’Keria Boyd, Sha’Riya McClendon, Celaya McLeod, Travis Smith, and Mauriya Walden enlisted in the Army National Guard. Nathan Rich and Khalil Shinhoster enlisted in the US Marine Corps.

Dr. Denise Warnock, Superintendent of Emanuel County Schools, recognized Akira Marion as a member of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council. This body of students meets with Dr. Warnock throughout the year to act as liaisons between the Emanuel County Board of Education and the students in our school system.

SCHOLARSHIPS:

Brice Marchman was recognized for signing a letter of intent to play college baseball at South Georgia State University in Douglas. Kaylee Cox, Dekota Mason, and Macie Purcell signed letters of intent for competition cheerleading at Brewton-Parker College.

D’Andre Smith was the recipient of the Alton Slawson Jr. Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is in memory of the 1977 SHS valedictorian, who was killed by a drunk driver in 1989 and is given to a senior who excelled in history, as did Slawson.

TyKerria Phillips was awarded the Emanuel County Family Connection Scholarship.

Bo Brown was the recipient of the Yeomans Scholarship, which is given in memory of Herman G. Yeomans, and Frances C. Yeomans. The scholarship honors the legacy of their family, which includes former superintendent of Emanuel County Schools, Betty Y. Brown, and the family’s lifelong commitment to service.

Cari Phillips was awarded one of the Beyond Your Imagination Scholarships, which were inspired by Jocelyn Williams who is an 11-year-old Amazon best-selling author of children’s books.

Ne’Vaeh Williams is the recipient of the Ricky Gilmer Memorial Scholarship, which is given in memory of Ricky Gilmer, a 1975 graduate of SHS.

Tonia Ricks was presented the Bobby Andrews Memorial Scholarship, which is given in memory of the late SHS basketball coach to a member of the current basketball program.

Akira Marion is the recipient of the first annual Coach Cornelia Jackson Foundation Scholarship. This is in memory of the late SHS teacher/coach who believed in empowering youth through education.

The Robby Roberts Foundation Scholarships were presented by Paula Cadle to Bryson Tarver, Yadira Hernandez, and Kimberly Vazquez.

Yadira Hernandez received the ClearWater Solutions Scholarship. This company manages water and wastewater for the City of Swainsboro. The scholarship is given to 16 students across four states. In addition, Yadira received the Taylor Nicole Hooks Memorial Scholarship, which is given in memory of the late ECI Class of 2016 graduate. She is also the recipient of the Altamaha EM Foundation Scholarship.

Akira Marion and Bryson Tarver were awarded Danny “Stat Cat” Henry Scholarships. Henry graduated from SHS in 1975 but began working with athletic stats at the age of 10. He is a dedicated Tiger fan, and this scholarship is given to students who exemplify his ideals of loyalty, commitment, and devotion to SHS.

Bryson Tarver is the recipient of the Don E. Braswell Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to a student who has demonstrated the most devotion to and has brought the greatest amount of praise and honor to SHS.

Brice Marchman is the recipient of the first annual Cody Parks Memorial Scholarship, given in memory of the late Class of 2025 student who died in 2022.

Joy Jackson and Yadira Hernandez received the Alpha Kappa Alpha Nu Upsilon Omega Chapter Scholarship. This award promotes the education of women and is sponsored by AKA, the nation’s oldest historically African American sorority.

Allie Taylor received the Destiney Hope Scholarship and the Emanuel County Women’s League Scholarship.

Bryson Tarver and Ne’Vaeh Williams received the Eloise Vining Scholarship. Ne’Vaeh also received the Black Women of Profession Scholarship.

Yadira Hernandez received the Jeremy Love Scholarship, which was established by the Swainsboro Band Boosters in memory of former Band of Gold member, Jeremy Love. The purpose of the scholarship is to help fund the post-secondary education of a deserving senior who has participated fully and with quality in the SHS Band.

The valedictorian and salutatorian of the senior class automatically qualify for 100% of tuition paid by the Zell Miller Scholarship fund. Students may also receive this scholarship if they have at least a 3.7 GPA and 1200 in critical reading and math in one sitting of the SAT or a 26 composite on the ACT in one sitting. The following students received this funding: TyKerria Phillips (valedictorian), Bryson Tarver (salutatorian), Bo Brown, Jakayla Coleman, Adam Kay, Caleb Paul, Abigail Phillips, Cari Phillips, Ansley Turner, and Kimberly Vazquez.

DISTINCTIONS:

National Art Honor Society recognizes students who have shown an outstanding ability in art. They have maintained an A average for two or more years in art and have volunteered their services to both SHS and the community. The following students received cords for this distinction: Ariel Averett, Madison Brantley, Javin Carter, Cassandra Casanova, Montzerrat Cervantes Mendoza, Yadira Hernandez, Akira Marion, Alaina McDaniel, Gracie Ogletree, Cari Phillips, Aubrey Slater, D’Andre Smith, Di’mya Snelling, Allie Taylor, and Kayla VanHorn

Beta Club members are required to participate in service projects and club activities each school year in addition to maintaining an A average in their academics. These seniors graduate with an awareness of the importance of giving back to their community and serving others. The following students received Beta stoles for this distinction: Ariel Averett, Emma Blanford, Bo Brown, Jakayla Coleman, Samantha Coleman, Kaylee Cox, Destiny Cuyler, Aceland Davis, Joy Jackson, Adam Kay, Akira Marion, Jackie Nava-Pina, Kisna Patel, Abby Phillips, Cari Phillips, TyKerria Phillips, Aubrey Slater, D’Andre Smith, Gracie Stapleton, Xavier Strobridge, Bryson Tarver, Allie Taylor, Ansley Turner, Sammy Turner, Kimberly Vazquez, Alana Williams, R’reyana Williams, and Skylar Williford

The Citizens Bank Student Advisory Board is made up of students from the three high schools in Emanuel County. Students go through an application process of submitting letters of recommendation as well as a private interview in order to be selected for the board. These students get the opportunity to receive leadership training as well as to take part in several community service activities. The following students received cords for their participation on this board: Ariel Averett, Samantha Coleman, Joy Jackson, Redleigh Jackson, Adam Kay, Gracie Ogletree, Kisna Patel, TyKerria Phillips, Macie Purcell, D’Andre Smith, Bryson Tarver, Allie Taylor, Sammy “Trey” Turner, and Kimberly Vazquez.

Future Business Leaders of America cords were awarded for students completing at least two of the four levels of the national FBLA Business Achievement Awards Program. In addition, members who receive the honor cord have demonstrated dedication to FBLA through a variety of activities in areas of community service, chapter involvement, and leadership. Those who received cords are Derria Balkcom, Rentavious Brown, Haley Coney, Destiny Cuyler, C’Nya Howard, Joy Jackson, Adam Kay, Ambar Leal, Akira Marion, Celaya McLeod, Kisna Patel, D’Andre Smith, Bryson Tarver, Sammy “Trey” Turner, Ne’Vaeh Williams, and R’reyana Williams. In addition, students who completed all four levels of the Business Achievement Awards program were awarded stoles: Haley Coney, Destiny Cuyler, and D’Andre Smith

FBLA partners with Shepheard Community Blood Center each year and hosts several blood drives at SHS. Students who donate a minimum of three units of blood and/or encourage others to donate on their behalf earn the red cord to be worn at graduation. Each unit of blood has the potential to save three lives.

The following students received red cords: Ariel Averett, Emma Blanford, Casey Brooks, Ayden Buie, Cassandra Casanova, Francis Cheley, Haley Coney, Kaylee Cox, Destiny Cuyler, Harley Dalton, Aceland Davis, Jabria Douglas, Qui’Monia Gibbons, Morgan Hall, Sa’khia Huston, Ty’Asia Jones, Cassidy Jordan, Adam Kay, Kentavious Mack, Akira Marion, Dallin Mason, Dekota Mason, Sha’Riya McClendon, Wendell McLeod, Jackie Nava-Pina, Caleb Paul, Nathan Rich, Tonia Ricks, Taliyah Robertson, Aubrey Slater, D’Andre Smith, JaNaria Smith, Travis Smith, Gracie Stapleton, Bryson Tarver, Alyssa Taylor, Braylan Thompson, Sammy “Trey” Turner, R’reyana Williams, Alex Williford, and Mckenzie Wilson.

Membership into the Quill & Scroll Honor Society recognizes student achievement in journalism and school publication. Emma Blanford and Caleb Paul earned cords for this distinction.

Student Council members are elected each year by their peers and are given the opportunity to develop leadership skills by organizing and carrying out school activities and service projects. Officers who received cords are D’Andre Smith (president), Akira Marion (vice president), and Kisna Patel (secretary).

Emma Blanford, Brian Tinagero, and Sammy “Trey” Turner received cords for exceptional leadership and participation in the Technology Student Association.

21st Century Leaders aim to build the next generation of leaders by providing young people with training, guidance, and encouragement to enter college and the workforce with highly developed leadership skills. The local chapter is sponsored by Nordson. These students received cords for their participation: Yadira Hernandez, Joy Jackson, Mikeysha Lockett, Sha’Riya McClendon, Jackie Nava, Teairra Parker, D’Andre Smith, Bryson Tarver, Kayla VanHorn, R’reyana Williams, and Rachael Worthen.

The following students received cords for their dedication and participation in the Career Technical Instruction conferences at the local and state levels: J’Meshia Allen, Ashley Bell, Sammie Braddy, Areuna Edwards, Jah’Lesia Franklin, Pah’Lesia Franklin, Jayla Jordan, Jazmyn Mays, Courtney Schoen, D’Ayla Strobridge, and McKenzie Wilson.

The following students earned cords for their participation in Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA): Jakayla Coleman, Gracie Ogletree, TyKerria Phillips, Lashunta Shanks, Ansley Turner, and Kimberly Vazquez.

Students who have been active in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and participated in multiple FFA competitions received cords for this distinction. They are JT Justice, Kaylie King, Abby Phillips, and Gracie Stapleton.

JROTC students who have been enrolled in the program for a minimum of three semesters and have at least a 3.0 GPA received honor cords. These students are

Robert Andrews, Gabriel Hinkins, Sha’Riya McClendon, Celaya McLeod, Xavier Strobridge, Mauriya Walden, and Alex Williford.

Students who achieved a 3.5 GPA or higher also received stoles. These students are Sha’Riya McClendon, Xavier Strobridge, and Mauriya Walden.

Several students were also recognized for their enlistment. Those enlisted in the Army National Guard are Zi’Keria Boyd, Sha’Riya McClendon, Celaya McLeod, Travis Smith, and Mauriya Walden. Two seniors also enlisted in the US Marine Corps. They are Nathan Rich and Khalil Shinhoster.

Band students who were enrolled in band at least one semester per year earned a cord for membership in the Tri-M Music Honor Society. These students are Brayden Baxter, Bo Brown, Ayden Buie, Christian Catt, Jakayla Coleman, Aceland Davis, Cristian Garcia, Yadira Hernandez, Jennifer Hernandez-Ruiz, Joy Jackson, Adam Kay, Jaden Martinez, Sha’Riya McClendon, Cecelia Melton, Jackie Nava-Pina, Tana Owens, Kisna Patel, Abigail Philips, Cari Phillips, TyKerria Phillips, Lashunta Shanks, Khalil Shinhoster, D’Andre Smith, Braylan Thompson, Alex Williford, and Isabel Yepe.

All SHS students are strongly encouraged to complete a Career Technology Agriculture Education (CTAE) Pathway in either Business, Family & Consumer Sciences, Agriculture, or Engineering. These students have passed real-world industry recognized exams such as Microsoft Office Certification and ServSafe to earn this distinction. The following students completed the Engineering Pathway:

Rentavious Brown, Sarah Cooper, Aceland Davis, LeeAnna Givens, Joshua Patterson, Caleb Paul, Jaime Perez, Nathan Rich, Eric Rowland, Bryson Tarver, Zachary Terry, and Sammy Trey Turner.

The following students completed the Culinary Arts Pathway: Derria Balkcom, Mya Bennett, Jasmine Carlyle, Tyikiara Cross, Destiny Cuyler, Jabria Douglas, Ro’Meisha Douglas, Areuna Edwards, Qui’Monia Gibbons, Jamicia Hughes, Shelecia Johnson, Ty’Asia Jones, Robronche Lawrence, Kentavious Mack, Jaden Martinez, Alaina McDaniel, Damien McKenzie, Gracie Ogletree, TyKerria Phillips, Kasen Radford, Lashunta Shanks, To’Kia Sherrod, Ja’Naria Smith, LaMya Wadley, Mauriya Walden, and Isabel Yepe.

The following students completed an Agriculture Pathway:

Alyssa Ashley, Mya Bennett, Eric Bustamante, Javin Carter, Christian Catt, Harley Dalton, Jabria Douglas, Jesus Enriquez-Jacinto, Allen Farley, Cadance Frank, Shane Gamiza, Tony Hackett, Morgan Hall, JT Justice, Kamel LaFavor, Shelley Owens, Teairra Parker, Abby Phillips, Jeremiah Phillips, Nathan Rich, Eric Rowland, Khalil Shinhoster, Gracie Stapleton, D’Ayla Strobridge, Zachary Terry, Lazaria Webb, Kaden Wilcher, Alana Williams, and Alex Williford.

The following students completed the Business & Technology Pathway: Alyssa Ashley, Ariel Averett, Mya Bennett, Madison Brantley, Casey Brooks, Jaylen Brown, Montzerrat Cervantes Mendoza, Francis Cheley, Samantha Coleman, Haley Coney, Sarah Cooper, Kaylee Cox, Destiny Cuyler, Shankira Cuyler, Harley Dalton, Ashton Deloach, Jared Demillon-Cabrera, D’Shayja Douglas,Ro’Meisha Douglas, Cadance Frank, Cristian Garcia-Jijon, Liberty Gomez-Jimenez, Jennifer Hernandez-Ruiz, Alana Herrington, C’Nya Howard, Jamicia Hughes, Joy Jackson, Redleigh Jackson, Kaitlyn Johnson, Shelecia Johnson, Ty’Asia Jones, Cassidy Jordan, Adam Kay, Izaac Lane, Ambar Leal, Kentavious Mack, Jaden Martinez, Dallin Mason, Alaina McDaniel, Alisa McDaniel, Damien McKenzie, Celaya McLeod, Wendell McLeod, Kimberly Moore, Jackie Nava-Pina, Madison Padgett, Kisna Patel, Caleb Paul, Macie Purcell, Nathan Rich, Melina Rosas, Charlee Self, To’Kia Sherrod, Aubrey Slater, Ja’Naria Smith, Gracie Stapleton, Alyssa Taylor, Braylan Thompson, Kayla VanHorn, Kimberly Vazquez, Ne’Vaeh Williams, R’reyana Williams, Skyler Williford, Rachael Worthen, and Isabel Yepe.

The Dual Enrollment Program allows high school students to receive credit for both high school and college level courses. To be eligible, these students must have a minimum combined score of 970 on the SAT and a 3.0 GPA. The following students participated in this program at East Georgia State College: Robert Andrews, Emma Blanford, Bo Brown, Ayden Buie, Jakayla Coleman, Haley Coney, Yadira Hernandez, Joy Jackson, Redleigh Jackson, Adam Kay, Brice Marchman, Celaya McLeod, Kisna Patel, Abby Phillips, TyKerria Phillips, Macie Purcell, Lashunta Shanks, Aubrey Slater, D’Andre Smith, Bryson Tarver, Allie Taylor, Ansley Turner, Kimberly Vazquez, and Alana Williams.

Students in the Dual Enrollment Program at Southeastern Technical College received a Certificate of Achievement if they completed one or more classes with a C or better. Ariel Averett, Brayden Baxter, Samantha Coleman, Kaylee Cox, Kimberly Moore, To’kia Sherrod, D’Ayla Strobridge, and Alex Williford

Seniors who completed a Technical Certificate of Credit, or 12 or more credit hours during their four years of high school, received a Certificate of Achievement along with a Southeastern Technical College Dual Enrollment Honor Cord.  Ro’Meisha Douglas, Qui’monia Gibbons, Dalton Hopkins, C’Nya Howard, Cassidy Jordan, Jeremy Justice, Mikeysha Lockett, Akira Marion, Dallin Mason, Dekota Mason, Sha’Riya McClendon, Mahogany Montgomery, Anna Ogletree, Madison Padgett, Charlee Self, Gracie Stapleton, Sammy Turner, Skyler Williford, and Isabel Yepe.

CORE SUBJECT AWARDS:

The following students earned highest average honors in English/Language Arts:

Kimberly Moore for British Literature, Cari Phillips for Honors British Literature, and 4-Year Highest Average in English.

The following students earned highest average honors in Mathematics: Kaylee Cox for College Readiness Math, Ne’Vaeh Williams for Pre-Calculus, Bryson Tarver for Honors Pre-Calculus, and 4-Year Highest Average in Mathematics.

The following students earned highest average honors in Science: Alana Herrington for Anatomy, Cari Phillips for Honors Anatomy, and 4-Year Highest Average in Science.

The following students earned highest average honors in Social Studies: Khalil Shinhoster for Personal Finance/Economics, Bryson Tarver for Honors Personal Finance/Economics, and Cari Phillips for 4-Year Highest Average in Social Studies.

JROTC/FINE ART/PE SUBJECT AWARDS:

Sha’Riya McClendon earned highest average in JROTC 2B. Travis Smith earned the highest average in JROTC 4A.

Gabriel Hinkins was recognized as Most Improved Cadet.

Sha’Riya McClendon was awarded the JROTC Leadership Award.

The following students earned highest average honors in Visual Arts: Cari Phillips for Visual Arts III and Allie Taylor for Visual Arts IV plus the 4-Year Highest Average in Visual Art.

Emma Blanford earned the highest average in Journalism. Bo Brown earned the highest average in Advanced Band.

CTAE SUBJECT AWARDS:

Lazaria Webb earned the highest average in Nursery Landscape. Abby Phillips earned the highest average in Ag Mechanics II.

Kimberly Vazquez earned the highest average in Business Communications. TyKeria Phillips earned the highest average in Culinary Arts II.

Bryson Tarver earned the highest average in Engineering Concepts and Engineering Apps.

HONOR GRADUATES:

In order to reach the status of honor graduate, students must maintain an overall academic average of 90 or above throughout high school. They received a gold honor cord to wear at graduation. These 64 students are Ariel Averett, Brayden Baxter, Emma Blanford, Aeryn “Madison” Brantley, Robert “Bo” Brown, Ayden Buie, Javin Carter, Jakayla Coleman, Samantha Coleman, Haley Coney, Kaylee Cox, Destiny Cuyler, Aceland Davis, Layton Edge, Allen Farley, Jennifer Hernandez-Ruiz, Yadira Hernandez, Alana Herrington, Joy Jackson, Redleigh Jackson, Cassidy Jordan, Adam Kay, Amber Leal, Mikeysha Lockett, William “Brice” Marchman, Akira Marion, Hilario Martinez, Sha’Riya McClendon, Alaina McDaniel, Celaya McLeod, Jaqueline Nava-Pina, Anna “Gracie” Ogletree, Tana Owens, Madison Padgett, Teairra Parker, Kisna Patel, Caleb Paul, Jaime Perez, Abigail Phillips, Cari Phillips, TyKerria Phillips, Macie Purcell, Charlee Self, Lashunta Shanks, Khalil Shinhoster, Aubrey Slater, D’Andre Smith, Gracie Stapleton, Xavier Strobridge, Bryson Tarver, Allie Taylor, Brian Tinagero-Gregory, Ansley Turner, Sammy “Trey” Turner, Kayla VanHorn, Kimberly Vazquez-Duque, Mauriya Walden, Lazaria Webb, Alana Williams, Ne’Vaeh Williams, R’reyana Williams, Skyler Williford, Rachael Worthen, and Isabel Yepe.

The salutatorian for the Class of 2025 is Bryson Tarver and the valedictorian is TyKerria Phillips.