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
