McKenzie Middle School Hosts Honors Banquet

McKENZIE (April 15) — McKenzie Middle School hosted its annual Honors Banquet Tuesday evening, sponsored by the McKenzie Rotary Club.

After the meal, the program began with a welcome by Rotary Club President Christy Williams, who said, in part, “Tonight, we gather to celebrate the hard work, dedication and achievements of our outstanding students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership and service.”

The guest speaker was Dr. Travis Russell, a local dentist and 2008 McKenzie graduate. He spoke about finding a love for dentistry and community through his grandfather Dr. Harold Russell, who was a dentist in McKenzie for over 56 years.

Dr. Russell also spoke about the Parable of the Talents from the book of Matthew. He said, in part, “Study hard, build relationships, take advantage of opportunities, don’t waste your talents.”

MHS teacher Beth Mathis presented the Melinda Garrett Leader of the Year Award to eighth grader Lola Sumrok. The award is presented each year to a student who exemplifies the character, leadership and kindness of its namesake, who was a 2001 MHS graduate who died at age 23.

Next, Beta sponsors Rebecca Jones and Josephine Wright recognized each honor student, who has earned all As during the first three nine-week periods of the year and holds a cumulative GPA of at least 92. Then the top ten students in each class were recognized.

Honor students were (with top ten students denoted by a *):

Fifth Grade — Zoe Avila, Lola Batton, Samuel Berry, Addilyn Brown*, Ripken Brown, Brycen Broyles, Zane Campbell, Callie Davidson, Ava Diller*, Adisyn Doede*, Andrew Ellis, Olivia Fontana, Brooklyn Fowler, Tate Gilbert, Johnathan Ham, Elian Harris, Emilee Harris*, Neyland Harris, Easton Johnsonius, Tynleigh Kornegay, Avacyn Latham, Taylor Little*, Eli Mann, Cohen Martin, Benny McCaig, Maggie Nell Merrill, Paisley Morgan, Aubree Roberts*, Gracie Robertson, Ruger G. Schliemann, Bentley Siler*, Anna-Kate Tucker, Alayna Twitty, Samantha Umsted*, Mia Walker, Cord Wall*, Rumor Weatherford, Parker Wolski* and Colin Yeley.

Sixth Grade — Ruthie Adkins*, Brooklyn Andrews*, Deacon Barden*, Aiden Blackwell*, Ashton Blackwell, Annabelle Bobb, Cooper Cunningham*, Eli Davis, Micah Dickinson, Julee Eubanks, Malcolm Evans*, Sonny Fuller, Alice Gallimore*, Saxon Hayes*, Mallorie Pierce, Sophie Price*, Graham Seavers and Olivia Shank*.

Seventh Grade — Andrew Arnold*, Jackson Barden, Bella Batton, Kaylee Berryhill, Serenity Bobo, Lane Brown, Abby Carroll*, Charlie Cassidy*, Colton Cobb, Finnian Evans*, Miles Fontana, Dierks Ghyers*, Jake Ghyers, Andres Hernandez*, Nevaeh Herris, Noah Johnsonius, Cooper Jones, Steven Long, Aiden Long, Milania Long-Townes, Bailee Lovell, Katelyn Martin, Sami Mathis, Ed Maynard, Cason Mayo*, Ryan McCann, John Patrick McReynolds*, McCoy Merrill, Madilyn Milam*, Zoey Neville, Will Newman, Kallie O’Rourke, Ulises Ramirez, Charles Scott, Seth Stafford, Willow Stenberg, Case Wall*, Reid Warman and Margaret Webb.

Eighth Grade — Kynlee Barden*, Alleigh Britt, Lillian Brown, Brylie Chester, MaKayla Dabbs*, Sophie Dameron*, Ryan Davis*, Alan Dixon, Ellie Doede, Clay Fowler*, Belle Glisson, Liam Moore*, Mary Ryan Morris, Brin Murray*, Helena Phillips, Tucker Redmond, Dawson Reeder*, Sebastian Bass, Hadley Smith*, Lola Sumrok, Marlee Toombs, Frannie Trout* and Kinsley Wilson.