Graduation days

Caps and tassels were tossed and gowns flowed over the weekend as more than 140 high school seniors grabbed their sheepskins and headed into the adult world – or college or vocational school.

Wewahitchka High School draped Saturday night in red as the Class of 2011 walked the stage and the hue was purple and gold on Monday night as Port St. Joe High School sent its graduates into the world.

Port St. Joe High School

Ninety two seniors walked the stage for the sheepskins on Monday night, Reis Nelson led the pledge while Tiara Smith provided the invocation.

Erica Balogh, senior class president, addressed the crowd and valedictorian Brianna Sigman was the commencement speaker.

The class quote was read by Erica Prostman.

Class Motto – “If we cannot find the road to success, we will make one.”

Class Song – “I Made It” by Kevin Rudolph

Class Flower – Hibiscus

Class Bird – Toucan

Class Sponsors – Dawn Alcorn, Angel Barbee and Ginger Bernal

High honors (3.85 GPA or higher) graduates

Corey Allison Burke, Stefani Marie Furstenberg, Dylan Blake Hester, Zachary Miller Hunter, Lesley Erin Kennedy, Caitlin Alise Rich and Brianna Marie Sigman.

Honor (3.5 to 3.84 GPA) graduates

Evan Taylor Brumbaugh, Torie Anne Burgess, Tracie Ann Cumbie, Christopher Edward Foxworth, Megan Amber Gannon, Katelynn Marie German, Austin Shane Lee, Lindsay Elizabeth Martin, Catherine Elizabeth McNeill, Russell Colton Miller, Samantha Diane Nicodemus, Erica Sarah Protsman, Calvin Starlin Pryor, III, Levi Sterling Strickland, Natalie Angel Tatha-Nahandji, Dylan Chase Watford and Madelin Zambrano.

Graduates

Lucas Marcel Adams, Jared Taylor Arnold, Erica Kristen Balogh, Ethan Dillon Bamburg, Brett Colby Barnes, Tanasia Keswayna Bell, Kimberly May Blankenship, Zachary Scott Bradshaw, Michael A. Bryne, Jacobie Dejori Chambers, Chadrick Lynn Clark, Catherine Michelle Cordova, Cristina Nicole Cordova, Mariah Elaine Crapsey, Kristi Paige Davis, Sha’Quize Quawil Dawson, Azure Ra Dunbar, Emily Elizabeth Dykes, Lilla Denise Dykes, Sabrina Lynn Edge, Kawana Lanai Fisher, Chase Hunter Galloway, Ka’Diedra Gena Gathers, Caitlin Miranda Gilley, Kaitlyn Victoria Graham, Christopher Michael Greenwood;

James Paul Hagans III, Samantha Louise Haiar, Jeremy Todd Harcus, Joshua Adam Henderson, Keith Adam Hodge, Carlton John Hunley, Alexis Bianca Jones, Jacoria Rakel Jones, Violet Grace Jones, Madison Nichole Kelley, Jazmine Skye Kennedy, Taylor Elizabeth Kraatz, Fanequa Nikita Larry, Frederick William Mabry, Katelyn Marie Maxwell, Jesse Aaron Morris, Chandler Brock Moses, Reis Carrington Nelson, Dorian Damont North, Davida Michele Odom, Brandon Nicholas Peak, Matthew Dewayne Pope, Sean Allen Pridgeon, Marquez Devan’ Tae Quinn, Melvin Anthony Quinn, Jr.;

Rakeem Lazarus Quinn, Roman Tredarian Quinn, Catherine Jane Quintanilla, J.Mason Ray, Julia Frances Scheffer, Sarah Amanda Sizemore, Hayley Suzanne Smith, Tiara Starnae Smith, Ty Everett Sowell, Jackson Cliburn Steiger, Tymothy Joseph Stuart, William Colton Thursbay, Cassie Lynn Tullis, Naomi Camille Warren, Quincy Jamahl Welch and Austin Matthew Williams.

Scholarships

Brianna Sigman, received an $8,000 scholarship to Eckerd College and a $10,000 scholarship to the University of North Florida; she is also the only senior to qualify for 100 percent tuition to the state university of her choice through Florida Bright Futures; Samantha Nicodemus: received a Trojan Opportunity Scholarship and a National 4-year ROTC scholarship to the University of Memphis valued at over $200,000; Stefani Furstenberg:  received a Top 5 Merit Scholarship to the University of West Florida valued at over $20,000; Dylan Hester: received a Southern Scholarship Foundation award valued at $20,000;

Torie Burgess:  received two Troy University scholarships valued at $13,600; Chase Watford: received two Troy University scholarships valued at $36,000; Kristi Davis: received a softball scholarship to Wallace Community College valued at almost $4,000; Calvin Pryor: signed a football scholarship with Louisville valued at over $80,000; Roman Quinn: received a baseball scholarship to Florida State University valued at over $40,000; Katelyn Maxwell won the Anne McCullen Memorial Scholarship through Gulf Coast State College; Katie McNeill: Creative Opportunities Unlimited Scholarship ($500) for outstanding participation in Odyssey of the Mind; Sarah Sizemore won a $500 scholarship from the First United Methodist Church of Apalachicola;

Challenge $1,000 Scholarship to Natalie Tatha-Nahandji; Walter Wilder Scholarship, two years to Gulf Coast State, Madelin Zambrano; Band Boosters’ $500 Scholarship, Brianna Sigman; Benjamin Roy Gibson Family Scholarship ($1,200), Dylan Hester; Billy Tapper Memorial Scholarships ($390), Evan Brumbaugh and Alexis Jones; Bryce Nelson Memorial Scholarship ($500), Reis Nelson; CFES scholarship ($3,000), Madelin Zambrano; City-Wide Missionary Society Scholarship ($500), Tiara Smith; C. Leonard Belin Lions Club scholarship ($500), Caitlyn Rich; DAR Good Citizen Award ($100), Sarah Sizemore; Delta Kappa Gamma scholarships ($250), Hayley Smith and Adam Hodge; Dorothy Beard Memorial Scholarship ($500), Calvin Pryor;

Franklin/Gulf Retired Teachers scholarship ($500), Hayley Smith; GCEA scholarship ($300), Reis Nelson; George W. Duren NJROTC Scholarship ($1,000), Adam Hodge; George G. Tapper scholarship ($1,000), Brianna Sigman; Gibson Rotary Club Scholarship ($4,000), Brianna Sigman; Gold Card Academic Award ($250), Erin Kennedy; Gold Card Vocational Award ($250), Chandler Moses; Gulf Coast State College scholarships, Sean Pridgeon, Keith Hodge, Jacoria Jones and Hayley Smith; Herman R. Dean Scholarship of Music ($500), Samantha Nicodemus; Jimmy and Susan Wilder Scholarships to Gulf Coast State College, Caitlyn Rich, Emily Dykes, Samantha Haiar, Alexis Jones and Julia Scheffer; J. Lamar Faison Memorial scholarship ($500), Levi Strickland; Kiwanis Academic Awards ($100), Corey Burke in English, Dylan Hester in math, Brianna Sigman in Social Studies and Katie McNeill in science; Kiwanis Club scholarship to Gulf Coast, Evan Brumbaugh, and $1,000 scholarship to Haney Vocational Center, Brett Barnes;

Leola and Wanda Gathers scholarship ($5,000), Rakeem Quinn; Linda Lewis Wright Memorial scholarship ($500), Stefani Furstenberg; Margaret Key Biggs Memorial scholarship ($500), Erica Protsman; Marilyn Witten Scholarships ($1,000 each), Dylan Hester, Megan Gannon; National Jr. Beta Club Scholarship ($500), Caitlyn Rich; Oliver and Laura Taylor Memorial scholarship ($500), Erica Balogh; PACE Local 379 scholarship to Gulf Coast, Emily Dykes; Pam Nobles Studio scholarship ($1,200), Megan Gannon; Paul and Marlene Sewell scholarship ($500), Calvin Pryor; Pecola and Joe Smiley scholarship ($500), Dorian North; Peppers Spanish Award ($100), Brianna Sigman; Port St. Joe Garden Club scholarship ($500), Tracie Cumbie; Port St. Joe Masonic Lodge #111 ($500 each), Katie McNeill and Zach Hunter;

The Principal’s Special Achievement Award ($500), Cory Burke; Rev. Zedoc Baxter Memorial scholarship ($500), Stefani Furstenberg; R. Marion “Coach” Craig Scholarship ($500), Chris Foxworth; Sam Cox Memorial scholarship ($1,500), Erica Balogh; St. Joe Beach Garden Club Sea Oats scholarships ($150), Lindsey Martin and Russell Miller; United Methodist Church Care Closet scholarship ($1,000), Austin Williams; V.F.W. Post #10069 NJROTC Ladies Auxiliary scholarship ($500), Samantha Nicodemus; V.F.W. Post #10069 NJROTC Leadership scholarship ($500), Cristina Cordova; White City Fire Department Awards ($100), Jeremy Harcus, Katelyn Graham, Katelyn German and Hayley Smith; Women Athletes Supporting Women Athletes scholarships ($500), Tiara Smith and Erica Balogh.

Wewahitchka High School

At Wewahitchka High School, where 50 seniors walked the stage Saturday night, the invocation was given by Jacob Taylor and the pledge by Andrew Bidwell.

Jordan Heath welcomed all to the graduation ceremony and Alicia Allison, senior class president, recognized the seniors.

Principal Debbie Baxley recognized the high honors and honors graduates and the graduation address was given by valedictorian Aliya Chaudry.

Guidance counselor Karen Turner recognized graduates who had received awards or scholarships and the farewell address was given by Randy Hightower, the salutatorian.

Courtney Ward gave the benediction at the close of the ceremony.

The senior class officers were Alicia Allison, president; Jacob Taylor, vice president; Latoya Gainer, secretary; and Katarina Armstrong, treasurer.

Class song – “Twisted” by Colt Ford

Class Colors – Black and silver

Class Motto – Our lives are before us, our past behind us, but our memories are forever with us.

Class Flower – White rose with red tip

Class sponsors – Peral Hunter and Micah Peak

Wewahitchka High graduates

High honor (3.85 GPA or higher) graduates

 Aliya Annette Chaudry, Randy Lynn Hightower, Jamie Jordan Heath, Courtney Nicole Ward, Andrew Jayron Bidwell, Jacob Austin Taylor and Amanda Nikole Nelson.

Honors (3.5 to 3.84 GPA) graduates

Chelse Anna Strange, Britney Marie Weeks, Arianna Nicole Paul, Alicia Rhea Allison, Jeannie Ann Mitchell, Brandon Matthew Mayhann and Colton Sawyer Price.

Graduates

Jennifer Leann Adkison, Katarina Wendi Armstrong, D’Vante Malik Baham, Chelsea Amber Bradford, Nathaniel John Bruce, Jay Stacey Bryan, Justin Ander Campbell, Kevin Allen Carroll, Nehemiah Raheem Carter, Martina Shanell Chumney, Jessica Nikole Ferry, Matthew Ryan Fleming, Latoya Michelle Gainer, Stephen Michael Griffin, Simone Chante Hand, Chartisha Samone Hill, Michelle Marie Holly, Jamaree Shundel Hunter, Demetrius Perry Hurley;

Gregory Perry Hurley, Jessica Rohemey Hysmith, Jessica Rae Jamerson, Seana Elaine Jenkins, Jabrela Ann Lewis, Nicholas Lucian Malcolm, Beau Warren McCorvey, Trent Oliver McLemorer, T’Keyah Arneisha Myers, Jasmyne Symo’ne Owens, Cody Stephen Roman, Trey Scott Sims, Whitney Nichole Stansel, Karissa Noelle Stephens, Dexter Allen Terry, Randy Andrew Veasey, Casey Renae Zucci.

Scholarships

The Wewahitchka High School Class of 2011 received more than $255,000 worth of scholarships and awards:

Bateman-Wooten Scholarship – Randy Hightower ($400), Alicia Allison ($300), Jamaree Hunter ($200); Junior Miss – Alicia Allison and Jessica Jamerson ($50 each), Jay Bryan ($550), Jay Bryan ($850); Frank and Violet Graddy Scholarship – Nikki Ferry ($500); Harold Auto Parts – Nick Malcolm ($250); Masonic Lodge – Randy Hightower ($500); VFW Post 8285 - $500 to Arianna Paul and Aliya Chaudry; Gator Boosters – Andrew Bidwell ($250), Nick Malcolm ($100), Beau McCorvey ($100), Colton Price ($100), Jay Bryan ($100), Jacob Taylor ($100) and Jeannie Mitchell ($250);

National Honor Society ($25 each) – Aliya Chaudry, Andrew Bidwell, Randy Hightower, Jacob Taylor, Courtney Ward, Amanda Helson, Arianna Paul, Chelse Strange, Brandon Mayhann and Jordan Heath; African-American College – Raheem Carter ($350), Jabrela Lewis ($350), Jamaree Hunter ($400), Latoya Gainer ($350), Colton Price ($400), Alicia Allison ($400), Jay Bryan ($400), Brandon Mayhann ($450), Jacob Taylor ($450), Andrew Bidwell ($450), Courtney Ward ($450), Jordan Heath ($450), Britney Weeks ($450), D’Vante Baham ($500) and Aliya Chaudry ($550);

Geraldine Williams – Jamaree Hunter ($700); Alfredia Owens ($375 each) – Latoya Gainer and Jamaree Hunter; Methodist Care Closet – Courtney Ward ($1,000); Wewa Search and Rescue ($500 each) – Brandon Mayhann, Jay Bryan and Alicia Allison; City of Wewahitchka ($500 each) – Jay Bryan and Colton Price; Stella Tillman – Andrew Bidwell ($800); GCCC honor scholarship – Chelse Strange; James Moss Checkley – Jennifer Adkison; Charles and Betty Cleckley – Courtney Ward; JH Grant – Jabrela Lewis; Fairpoint Communications –  Aliya Chaudry ($1,000); Power of Positive Students ($150 each) – T’Keyah Myers, Jamaree Hunter, Latoya Gainer and Jacob Taylor;

Troy University-Trojan Opportunity – Alicia Allison ($7,000); Southeastern University-Chancellor’s Scholarship – Jacob Taylor ($1,000); Tyndall Federal Credit Union – Jacob Taylor ($1,000); DAR – Alyia Chaudry; UWF – Top 5 scholarship ($4,654 each) – Alyia Chaudry and Randy Hightower; Walter Wilder – Beau McCorvey; Jimmy and Susan Wilder – Britney Weeks, Chelse Strange, Jordan Heath, Courtney Ward and Latoya Gainer; The Chapman Foundation – Jamaree Hunter ($500); Sea Oats Garden Club scholarship ($150 each) – D’Vante Baham and Michelle Holly;

GCEA – Andrew Bidwell ($300); FMS ($9,776 each) – Alicia Allison, Andrew Bidwell, Aliya Chaudry, Jamie Heath, Amanda Nelson, Randy Hightower, Brandon Mayhann, Beau McCorvey, Arianna Paul, Colton Price, Chelse Strange, Jacob Taylor, Courtney Ward and Britney Weeks; FAS – Aliya Chaudry, Andrew Bidwell and Jacob Taylor; Oscar Redd Scholarship – Chelse Strange; USMC – Jay Bryan ($50,000); Haney Tech scholarship – Trey Sims ($605); Troy University – Chancellor’s Award (full tuition and fees, $27,840) – Colton Price.