McKenzie High School Honors Banquet

McKENZIE (April 2) — Eighty-four students at McKenzie High School were the honorees at the thirty-ninth annual Honors Banquet sponsored by the Rotary Club of McKenzie.

Students are invited to the annual event based on grades with a GPA of 95 or higher, school attendance and good conduct.

Donna Waddell, a MHS Alumna, was the featured speaker. Waddell, a nurse practitioner, recently opened her own medical clinic in Henry after working approximately 10 years for other clinics. She and husband, Ronnie, own The Venue at Waddell Place, and garage door and self-storage businesses - all in McKenzie. They have three grown children, all McKenzie graduates.

Waddell encouraged the honorees to be kind to others. She said kindness is paramount in life and in business. It has a transformative nature and provides a gesture of positivity to one’s fellow man. She noted her patients appreciate the compassionate medical care she seeks to offer.

Principal Kelly Spivey welcomed the parents and honorees to the thirty-ninth annual Honors Banquet. Students were treated to a meal in the school’s cafeteria prior to relocating to the school’s gymnasium, where family and friends were waiting.

Spivey said the honorees have the support of their families to aid in their accomplishments.

The Rotary Club of McKenzie sponsors the meal and the four-year plaques presented to seniors who have earned the privilege to attend all four years. The Rotary Club hosts an annual auction to raise funds for the MHS and the McKenzie Middle School Honors Banquets and the McKenzie Elementary School Honors Reception.

Each student crossed the stage as his or her name was announced and received a certificate recognizing the honor. The four-year honorees additionally received a wooden plaque. Spivey and Ashley Lowe, Guidance Counselor, presented each with a certificate or plaque.

Jason Martin, president of the McKenzie Rotary Club presented $6,000 in scholarships on behalf of the local service club.

Stafford Roditis and Skyelor DeLoach were each presented $1,000 to the college or university of their choice.

Gracie Goodrum was honored with a $4,000 scholarship to attend Bethel University. Martin said Rotary has a special partnership with Bethel University and offers an annual scholarship to the hometown university.

Each recipient competed for the scholarships.

Seniors included: Bella Arnold*, Natalia Alonso Barrero, Christopher Beck, Lacey Bell, Kamryn Brewer, Dakota Cary*, Drew Chappell, Chandler Conrad*, Aubrey Cook, Savannah Davis*, Skyelor DeLoach*, Hayden Garrett*, Nicole Gibson, Gracie Goodrum, Adreanna Gulledge, Noelle Herris, Matthew Hoffman, Alyse Lowe, Parker Lyons*, Allison Mansfield*, Belle O’Brien*, Jackelyne Padilla*, Luis Tellez, Mikaela Reynolds*, Stafford Roditis*, Mark Schultz*, Brett Toombs, and Ava Warman*. *= four-year recipients.

Juniors: Briley Arnold, Ariyana Ayers, Baylee Barden, Rachel Essary, Allyson Gibson, Brooklyn Hudgins, Carter Kee, Hannah Lee, Lydia Pate, Sophie Pate, Kristen Rimmer, Emma Smith, Tate Surber, Jaylin Taylor-Megaw, Craegen Travis.

Sophomores: Gracie Aird, Mason Batten, Ethan Batton, Brody Berryhill, Dylan Bomar, Tobey Brooks, Olivia Cantrell, Makiya Cavette, Coleson Cook, Katelynn Essary, Molly French, Matthew Gaylord, Bethaney Hatley, Morgan Little, Landyn McLearen, Landon Otis, Lukas Pride, Miley Prince, Kaelyn Stebbins, Matthew Townsend, Caden Tucker, and Seth Walker.

Freshmen: Branson Baker, Lola Barton, Wade Chandler, Jasmine Curtis, Carter Dalrymple, Bailey Doles, Ashley Dunavant, Abbigail Ghyers, Allie Giles, Madeline Gottshall, Emma Haynes, Chloe Hitt, Kennedi Hutchens, Pedro Mendez, Madelyn Morris, Bianca Pryor, Alyssa Redmond, Connor Saxton, and Brooklyn Shafer.