The Class of 2009

They paced, drank water, perspired a bit in warm robes, gossiped, slapped high-fives and got photos with favorite teachers.

Then it was time to hit the stage for more than 150 seniors who graduated from the two county public high schools on Saturday (Wewahitchka) and Monday (Port St. Joe).

Graduation for the Class of 2009 was a joyous affair, with gyms packed with happy parents and friends cheering on the graduates as they took their sheepskins, turned tassels on mortarboards and stepped into a new passage in their young lives.

They did so with plenty of help from the Gulf County Scholarship Fund, a nationally-recognized example of how a community can send their students off to the next step in their lives with the tools to succeed.

Counting athletic and academic scholarships, students walked away with nearly $2 million in scholarship dollars, an astounding amount considering the difficult economic times.

They enjoyed a fun night of Project Graduation at Rocket Lanes in Panama City and then returned home to a new life.

We wish them well as they set out in adulthood and hope that many of the graduates of 2009 will prove to be the county's leaders, civic and elected, in 10, 20 or 30 years.

Here's to the Class of 2009, naming each graduate and the scholarships bounty that many took away.

Port St. Joe High School

High Honor Graduates

Abigail Elizabeth Ard (Valedictorian), Angela Tammy Canington, Courtney Marie Hermsdorfer, Sarah Frances Hiscock, Jesse Harold Raffield (Salutatorian), Heather Beatrice Strange, Meredith Lyndsey Todd

Honor Graduates

Natasha Symone Allen. Emily Ann Baxley, Savannah Rose Bottkol, Brennis Michele Bush, Tayler Chan'tel Byrd, Jessie Danielle Faircloth, Jamie Leigh Kennedy, Frank Douglas May II, Kayla Janie Minger, Stratton Ellis Miniat, Morgan Danielle Peak, Brandi Lynn Price, Kayla Lucille Spilde, Kaelyn Jo Williams

Graduates

Aaron Dee Adams, Erin Marie Bailey, Rebekah Liane Bearden, Pierre Markese Bell, Krystal Keigans Bellew, Vincent Michael Bosstick, Heather Christine Brinkmeier, Breanna Letina Bryant, Austin Ward Burke, Chase Lee Butler, Samantha Rose Briel Carroll, Marquisia Mary Shabrae Clemmons, Anna Maria Cordova, Fonda Demetrius Davis, Tyrone Ka'Myron Dawson, Maryanne Earley, Jessie Danielle Faircloth, Gregory Anthony Farmer, Shtavia Renae Franklin, Jacob Patterson Gentry, Jonathon Robert Graham, Torie Elaine Greer, Wade Thomas Guilford, Kaitlyn Noel Guillotte, Parker Eugene Harris, Sarah Ann Hay, John-Paul Anthony Helms, Kendall Glen Hogan, Christopher Michael James, Matthew Nolon James, Christian Evan Johnson, Kyle Edward Jones, Javi'un Cortez Hakeeme Langston, Andria Michelle Latta, Robert Edward Martin, III, Jaime Martinez, Jr., Jessia Danielle Renee Mitchell, Todd Allen Mohr, Jessi Makay Moore, Toya Marie Mork, Whitney Alix Murphy, Amber Elizabeth Nations, Chazten Parell North, Cody Allen Parks, Kristin Leila Posey, Evan William Protsman, Eckley Mariand Sander, Shelby Alis Scheffer, Christopher Wayne Schell, Savannah Marie Searcy, Craig Roman Shelton, Caitlin Elizabeth Shuler, Kayla Danielle Shuler, Lauren Michele Sisk, Jackie Dean Strayer, Brandon Carlyle Strickland, Amanda Marie Thompson, Jacob Anthony Thompson, Ryan Trenard Dontae Thompson, Jessie Rae Tidwell, Abram Blair Vereen, Jonathon Joaquin Waldo, Christopher Hunter Wall, Shalonda Patrice Whitley, Arementries Christina Williams, Da'jon Alexandrea Williams and Sara Madeline Woodrow

Scholarships

Linda Lewis Wright Teacher Scholarship ($500) - Abby Ard

Kiwanis Academics ($100) - Heather Strange (English), Stratton Miniat (Math), Courtney Hermsdorfer (Social Studies), Angela Canington (Science), Abby Ard (Outstanding Girl), Jesse Raffield (Outstanding Boy), J.D. Strayer (Vocational - Haney)

Marilyn Witten ($1,000) - Abram Vereen, Savannah Searcy

Gold Card Award - Vocational ($250) - Morgan Peak

Shelley Coldewey Memorial Scholarship ($500) - Heather Strange

Tom Coldewey Memorial Scholarship ($500) - Jacob Thompson

George Tapper Scholarship ($1,000) - Abby Ard

Billy Tapper Local 1564 ($390) - Ryan Thompson

Billy Tapper Local 1713 ($390) - Erin Bailey

Emerald Coast Federal Credit Union ($500) - Austin Burke

Gibson Rotary ($1,000/yr, up to 4 years) - Kayla Minger

Kiwanis: GCCC ($1,400) - Brennis Bush

Walter Wilder Scholarship ($1,00/yr, up to 2 years) - Brandon Strickland

GCCC Honors ($2,800, 2 year's tuition) - Kayla Minger

GCCC Partnership ($1,400, 1 year's tuition) - Anna Cordova, Brandon Strickland

Long Avenue Baptist Church ($1,000) - Abby Ard, Erin Bailey

Zedoc Baxter Memorial Scholarship ($500) - Douglas May

Oliver and Laura Taylor Scholarship ($500) - Meredith Todd

Junior Beta Club ($500) -  Sarah Hiscock

Dixie Youth Softball ($250) - Heather Brinkmeier, Kayla Minger, Jo Williams, Angela Canington, Meredith Todd

GCEA ($300) - Kayla Minger

City Wide Missionary Society Scholarship ($500) - Natasha Allen

Jimmy and Susan Wilder Scholarship ($1,400) - Brandi Price, Savannah Bottkol, Krystal Bellew, Evan Protsman, Hunter Wall, Jessie Faircloth

J. Lamar Faison Scholarship ($500) - Emily Baxley

Coastal Community Bank Scholarship ($250) - Aaron Adams, Erin Bailey

Duran's Piggly Wiggly NJROTC Scholarship ($1,000) - Sarah Hay

VFW Post 10069 NJROTC Leadership Scholarship ($500) - Jesse Raffield

VFW Post 10069 Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship ($500) - Angela Canington

TCP Scholarship ($3,250) - Kristen Posey

Benjamin Roy Gibson Family Scholarship ($1,000) - Jamie Kennedy

The Star ($200) - Jessica Tidwell

Port St. Joe Masonic Lodge #111 ($500) - Kristen Posey

A Challenge Scholarship ($1,000) - Shalonda Witley

Dorothy Beard Memorial Scholarship ($700) - Natasha Allen

Sam Cox Memorial Scholarship ($1,500) - Stratton Miniat

Hank Rish Memorial Scholarship ($500) - Courtney Hermsdorfer

Herman Dean Scholarship ($500) - Jesse Raffield

Band Boosters ($500) - Jesse Raffield, Kristen Posey

Gillam Award ($100) - Jesse Raffield

WASWA Scholarship ($1,250) - Kayla Minger

Methodist Care Closet ($1,000) - Samantha Carroll

Special Achievement Award ($250) - Kayla Spilde, Jonathan Graham

Seat Oat and Dunes ($500) - Rebekah Bearden, Shelby Scheffer

Pepper's Spanish Award ($100) - Jesse Raffield

Pecola and Joe Smiley Scholarship ($500) - Greg Farmer

Charles and Glendora Likely Scholarship ($500) - Fonda Davis

Fairpoint Communications Scholarship ($1,000) - Robbie Martin

GCCC African-American Scholarship ($1,400) - Natasha Allen, Abraham Vereen

University West Florida Academic Merit Scholarship (full ride) - Angela Canington

GAC Contractors Scholarship (full ride) - Tayler Byrd

Signings (full ride) - Heather Brinkmeier, Kayla Minger, Tayler Byrd, Tyrone Dawson, Heather Strange, Javond Davis, Angela Canington

Bright Futures:

Florida Academic (100 percent tuition) - Abby Ard, Jesse Raffield

Florida Medallion (75 percent tuition to state university, 100 percent to community college) - Aaron Adams, Tayler Byrd, Angela Canington, Jessie Faircloth, Jonathan Graham, Courtney Hermsdorfer, Sarah Hiscock, Jamie Kennedy, Kayla Minger, Stratton Miniat, Kayla Spilde, Brandon Strickland, Meredith Todd, Hunter Wall

Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (75 percent tuition) - Robbie Martin

Wewahitchka High School

High Honor Graduates

Kalyn Jill Bidwell, Jacob Thomas Causey, Victoria Ruth Hightower (Salutatorian), Shawna Danielle McDonald, Warren Perry McDonald, Lena Raven McLemore (Valedictorian)

Honor Graduates

Rebecca Lee-Ann Barnes, John Kyle Campbell, Brandon Chase Duckworth, Ryan Chase Harvey, Jessica Leanne Husband, Amanda Jewel Morris, William Howard Naylor Jr., Ian Shane Rice, Samantha Leigh Rich, Danielle Nicole Stanley

Graduates

Alexander James Algueseva, Hunter David Causey, Hilary Louann Chapman, Jennifer Danielle Clayton, Jordan Gage Davidson, Royce Kyle Duncan, Robin Alexandria Gautier, Lance Allen Griffin, Samuel Lee Griggs, Shakayla Janesse Hand, Brian Alexander Hardin, Constance Renee Harrelson, Danielle Nicole Hayes, Anthony Michael Helson, Cori Ellen Hoedl, Steven Daniel House, Demetres Terrell Jones, Ryan Stephen Leaman, Jamila Jene Lewis, Leigh Ann Little, Joshua Andrew Lollie, Kally Ann Loyd, Kelley Ann McLemore, Jessica Amanda Lois Messick, Michael Broder Millergren, Joshua Raymond Mitchell, Sierra Dawn Newby, Kayla Brooke O'Neal, Christiaan Reynard Owens, Tara Elizabeth Palmer, Jordan Marie Paul, Randall Lee Cory Peoples, Chelsey Suzanne Pettis, Matthew James Rice, Amanda Jean Robbins, Jennifer Lynn Rouquette, Robert Lee Ruth, Maree Diane Sandifer, Johnathan Wade Shipman, Kimberly Michelle Shirah, Ashley Lauren Stephens, Kassandra Nichole Stephens, David Strickland, Chaz Benjamin Whitten, Evan Ryan Williams, Kayla Diane Williams and Kristin Emily Yon

Scholarships

Community Scholarships

Bateman-Wooten Scholarship - Kally Loyd ($300), Shakayle Hand ($300), Jordan Paul ($100)

Masonic Lodge ($500) - Shawna McDonald, Danielle Stanley

VFW Auxiliary ($500) - Rebecca Barnes

African-American Collegiate Scholarship - Ryan Leaman ($350), Shakayle Hand ($350), Jordan Paul ($400), Jennifer Clayton ($400), Robin Gautier ($400), Rebecca Barnes ($400), Kristin Yon ($400), Shawna McDonald ($450), Jessica Husband ($450), Daniele Stanley ($450), Lena McLemore ($500)

Geraldine Williams ($250) - Shakayle Hand, Robin Gautier

SWAT ($200) - Danielle Stanley, Shakayle Hand, Jamila Lewis, Rebecca Barnes, Shawna McDonald, Chelsea Pettis, Amanda Morris, Kyle Campbell, Demertiius Jones, Jennifer Clayton

Woman's Club ($750) - Rebecca Barnes, Ryan Leaman

Stella Tillman ($800) - Leigh Little

Methodist Care Closet ($1,000) - Ryan Leaman

Junior Service League ($1,000) - Danielle Stanley

Gulf County Junior Miss ($300) - Shawna McDonald

City Employees ($500) - Shakayle Hand, Jennifer Clayton, Ryan Leaman

First Methodist Holloway Scholarship ($1,000) - Jacob Causey, Warren McDonald, Lena McLemore, Chase Harvey

Search and Rescue ($500) - Alex Algueseva, Jordan Paul

Forgotten Coast Builders ($1,000) - Ryan Leaman

Gator Boosters - Chase Harvey ($100), Chase Duckworth ($100), Josh Lollie ($100), Jennifer Clayton ($250), Billy Naylor ($250)

NHS ($35) - Kalyn Bidwell, Lena McLemore, Shawna McDonald, Danielle Stanley, Chase Harvey, Jessica Husband, Victoria Hightower

Emerald Coast Credit Union ($500) - Ryan Leaman

GCEA Scholarship ($300) - Chase Harvey

Star Publications ($200) - Alex Hardin

Harrell Holloway Scholarship ($505) - Billy Naylor

Harold's Auto Parts Leadership Award ($250) - Ryan Leaman

Frank and Violet Graddy Memorial ($500) - Jessica Husband

Bright Futures:

Gold Sea Vocational ($10,000) - Kimberly Shirah, Jennifer Clayton, Ian Rice

Florida Medallion - Rebecca Barnes ($12,000), Kalyn Bidwell ($12,000), Kyle Campbell ($12,000), Jacob Causey ($12,000), Chase Harvey ($12,000), Anthony Helson ($10,000), Jessica Husband ($12,000), Kally Lloyd ($12,000), Shawna McDonald ($12,000), Lena McLemore ($12,000), Amanda Morris ($12,000), William Naylor ($12,000), Samantha Rich ($12,000), Danielle Stanley ($12,000), Kristen Yon ($12,000)

Florida Academic Scholar ($16,000) - Warren McDonald, Victoria Hightower

Gulf Coast Community College Foundation:

Walter Wilder ($1,400) - Jennifer Clayton

Jimmy and Susan Wilder ($1,400) - Chase Duckworth, Leigh Little, David Strickland, Josh Lollie

GCCC Partnership ($1,400) - Jennifer Clayton, Ryan Leaman

GCCC Honors ($2,800) - Shawna McDonald

Cleckly GCCC ($1,400) - Brian Hardin, Lance Griffin

J.H. Grant GCCC ($1,400) - Kimberly Shirah

Oscar Redd Memorial ($1,400) - Kassandra Stephens

CFES ($2,800) - Kyle Cambell

Military:

GI Bill - U.S. Navy ($150,000) - Anthony Helson

GI Bill - U.S. Marines ($150,000) - Jonathan Shipman

College:

Northwest Florida State College ($10,000) - Hillary Chapman, Kayla Williams

LB Wallace ($10,000) - Chelsea Pettis

Jacksonville State University ($100,000) - Samantha Rich

Florida A&M University ($12,000) - Lena McLemore

Rochester Institute of Technology ($100,000) - Daniel House

Troy State University Chancellor Scholarship ($42,000) - Victoria Hightower

University of West Florida Top 5 ($16,000) - Kalyn Bidwell, Lena McLemore, Victoria Hightower

University of West Florida - Robin Gautier ($2,000), William Naylor ($2,500)