Members of the Dyersburg High School Class of 2011 were offered just under $5.5 million to pursue their dreams of higher education at the school’s annual Senior Awards Day on Friday, May 20.
The DHS senior class joined faculty, staff and community leaders in the DHS gym for the annual celebration, an event that noted significant milestones for more than just the senior class.
For the Dyersburg City School System, the 2010-2011 academic year marks the last for Superintendent Lloyd Ramer, who has served as superintendent since 1994. As a result of Ramer’s retirement, DHS seniors have been offered a new scholarship opportunity – the beginning of the Friends of Education Scholarship.
At the May meeting of the Dyersburg City School Board, Ramer announced that he and his wife will donate $20,000 to the city schools for a scholarship fund to attract Dyersburg graduates to return to Dyersburg to teach upon graduating college. Other educators have contributed to the Friends of Education Scholarship Fund, as well. The first students to earn the honor were Jonathan Canada, Astin Harris, Morgan King, Kayla Mosley and Cara Williams.
The end of the school year also offers a change in command at DHS, with Principal Mickey Mahon announcing his retirement at the end of June and incoming Superintendent Neal Durbin appointing DHS Assistant Principal Jon Frye to Mahon’s position.
Each year, Mahon awards the Principal’s Award to a member of the senior class. In his last year, Mahon chose Andrew Legan and Cara Williams for the honor.
At Friday’s Senior Awards Day, the DHS Class of 2011 gathered in the gym to accept $5,438,367 in scholarships. That total includes $2,241,800 in HOPE Scholarships received from the Tennessee Lottery.
Of the 246 members of the senior class, 13 students were offered scholarships totaling over $100,000 over four years.
DHS Class of 2011 co-valedictorian Winn Decker was offered the most funding – a total of $466,452 in college scholarships from Auburn University, University of Tampa, Hofstra University, University of Denver, Murray State University, Marquette University, Rhodes College and the Tennessee Lottery.
Kopper Harris was offered $241,226 from Wentworth Military Academy, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Community Resource Development, Georgetown College, Mercer University, Agnes Scott College, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, First South Bank and the Tennessee Lottery.
Savannah Johnson was offered $179,031 from Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, Belmont University, Union University, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, the University of Tennessee at Martin and the Tennessee Lottery.
Margo Jenkins was offered $176,000 from Murray State, Rhodes College, Centre College and the Tennessee Lottery.
Trevor Sewell was offered $166,500 from Austin Peay, Union University, Mississippi College and the Tennessee Lottery.
Hannah Austin was offered $140,000 from Milligan College, Anderson College and the Tennessee Lottery.
Mary Baker was offered $137,600 from Savannah College of Art, Freed-Hardeman University, Belmont University and the Tennessee Lottery.
Maggie Renshaw was offered $131,680 from the University of Memphis, Rhodes College and the Tennessee Lottery.
Logan Collier was offered $124,360 from Mississippi State, the U.S. Air Force, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and the Tennessee Lottery.
Jonathan Canada was offered $112,000 from the University of Memphis, Austin Peay, Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee at Martin, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Friends of Education, Tim Goff/JC Sawyers Scholarship, First South Bank and the Tennessee Lottery.
Sarah Collins was offered $108,000 from Berry College, the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the Tennessee Lottery.
Ashley Miles was offered $104,200 from Union University, the University of Tennessee at Martin, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, the Donor Scholarship and the Tennessee Lottery.
Elizabeth Finley was offered $101,360 from the University of Tennessee at Martin, Mississippi State and Tennessee Lottery.
Other members of the DHS Class of 2011 awarded scholarships include:
Katheryn Aldrich, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Stephen Alford, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Benjamin Alley, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Brayden Anderson, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Brigitte Anderson, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Brigitte Anderson, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Jacob Armstrong, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; John Baker, who was offered $50,120 over four years from Bethel University and the Tennessee Lottery; Leia Barch, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Benjamin Barker, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Danielle Beard, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Bryce Beasley, who was offered $28,000 over four years from MTSU and the Tennessee Lottery; Chris Berardi, who was offered $28,000 over four years from MTSU and the Tennessee Lottery; Ricky Bernard, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Christopher Bizzle, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Michelle Bostic, who was offered $90,480 over four years from the UT-Martin, Lee University and the Tennessee Lottery; Mallory Brunson, who was offered $28,000 over four years from the University of Memphis, Dyersburg FFA and the Tennessee Lottery; Khyla Byars, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Emma Caylor, who was offered $58,000 from UT-Knoxville, MTSU, UT-Chattanooga and the Tennessee Lottery; Clay Chambers, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; John Chandler, who enlisted in the Tennessee National Guard and was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Michaela Chandler, was offered $17,000 over four years from First South Bank and the Tennessee Lottery; Leah Cherry, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Dyersburg FFA and the Tennessee Lottery; Alexander Clark, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Cammee Combs, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Hayden Cupples, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Brandi Davis, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Faithe Davis, who was offered $28,000 over four years from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the Tennessee Lottery; Emily DiGirolamo, who was offered $88,000 from the UT-Knoxville, the Missouri University of Science and Technology, Nucor Steel Corporation and the Tennessee Lottery; Dylan Doss, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Jacob Dudley, who was offered $17,000 over four years from the Dyersburg Police Department and the Tennessee Lottery; Manuel Echavez, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Austin Evans, who was offered $22,000 over four years from UTM and the Tennessee Lottery; Priscilla Gardner, who was offered $35,200 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Ben Glidwell, who was offered $250 from the Tennessee Technology Center; BJ Graham, who was offered $10,200 from UTM and DEA; Victoria Guinn, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Tiffany Halliburton, who was offered $17,200 over four years from UTM and the Tennessee Lottery; Chris Hamlin, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Kade Harrington, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Astin Harris, who was offered $37,000 over four years from UT-Chattanooga, Community Resource Development, Friends of Education and the Tennessee Lottery; Eva Hayes, who was offered $17,000 over four years from UT-Martin and the Tennessee Lottery; Arielle Haynes, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Sara Hester, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Breonna Hill, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Tyler Hockett, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Rachael Holloway, who was offered $46,000 over four years from MTSU, UTM and the Tennessee Lottery; Brooke Hubbard, who was offered $68,668 from Murray State, United Steel Worker’s Union and the Tennessee Lottery; Ian Hunt, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Michael Hurst, who was offered $16,250 from the Tennessee Technology Center and the Tennessee Lottery; Kearya Johnson, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Amanda Jones, who was offered $20,000 over four years from UT-Knoxville and the Tennessee Lottery; Mahalia Jones, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Christopher Jones, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Hunter Jordan, who enlisted in the National Guard and was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Shakyra Junior, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Chante’ King, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Leah King, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Morgan King, who was offered $20,000 over four years from Friends of Education and the Tennessee Lottery; Ricky Kirby, who was offered $38,000 over four years from the University of Memphis and the Tennessee Lottery; Caleb Langley, who was offered $94,000 over four years from University of Memphis, UT-Knoxville, Tusculum College, MTSU and the Tennessee Lottery; Ebony Lanier, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; co-valedictorian Andrew Legan, who was offered $44,000 over four years from TSAC and the Tennessee Lottery; Lauren Lewis, who was offered $52,500 over four years from Philadelphia Biblical University, Cancer Care Center, First Citizens Bank and the Tennessee Lottery; Mercedes Lewis, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Zack Little, who was offered $71,800 over four years from UT Martin, Mississippi State, Tusculum College and the Tennessee Lottery; Roderick Lobley, who enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Ann Lombas, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Jennifer Lowe, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; William Lowrance, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Adam McCormack, who was offered $22,000 over four years from UT Martin and the Tennessee Lottery; Ricky McCoy, who was offered $78,000 over four years from MTSU, University of Memphis, Nucor Steel Corp. and the Tennessee Lottery; Jack McGrail, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Casey McNeil, who was offered $24,000 over four years from the Colonial DPP and the Tennessee Lottery; Chelsea Metz, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Aaron Montgomery, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Curtis Moore, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Rebecca Moore, who was offered $79,000 over four years from Belmont University, Union University and the Tennessee Lottery; Lacee Morgan, who was offered $16,500 over four years from Dyersburg Rotary Club, Dyersburg FFA and the Tennessee Lottery; Matthew Moser, who was offered $28,000 over four years from Nucor Steel Corp. and the Tennessee Lottery; Kayla Mosley, who was offered $20,000 over four years from the Friends of Education and the Tennessee Lottery; Marilyn Munoz, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Terrence Murphy, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Ian Nevills, who was offered $22,000 over four years from UT Martin and the Tennessee Lottery; Victoria Noe, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Kilee Nuez, who was offered $24,000 over four years from MTSU and the Tennessee Lottery; Jacob Nunley, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Dylan Odom, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; McCord Pagan, who was offered $94,400 over four years from Rhodes College, UT Knoxville, University of Mississippi and the Tennessee Lottery; Kalli Parr, who was offered $30,000 over four years from MTSU and the Tennessee Lottery; Kaitlin Paschal, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Kyle Paschal, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Gunner Petty, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Shelby Pleasant, who was offered $35,000 over four years from UT Chattanooga, Heckethorn Manufacturing and the Tennessee Lottery; Sarah Reaves, who was offered $28,000 over four years from Nucor Steel Corp. and the Tennessee Lottery; John Richards, who was offered $57,220 over four years from Bethel University, DSCC and the Tennessee Lottery; Madison Ricks, who was offered $74,000 over four years from UT-Knoxville, University of Memphis, UT-Chattanooga and the Tennessee Lottery; Dustin Rigsby, who was offered $250 from the Tennessee Technology Center; Ginny Roper, who was offered $72,860 over four years from Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, UT Martin, Lee University, Evangel University, Union University, Kiwanis District Foundation and the Tennessee Lottery; Evan Sanders, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Julia Seaton, who was offered $16,000 over four years from Dyersburg FFA and the Tennessee Lottery; Jacob Sells, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Madison Sides, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Randy Simmons, who was offered $250 from the Tennessee Technology Center; Megan Singleton, who was offered $32,000 over four years from UT Martin and the Tennessee Lottery; Corey Smith, who was offered $22,000 over four years from UT Martin and the Tennessee Lottery; Heather Streckert, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Bryant Swain, who was offered $250 from the Tennessee Technology Center; Willandra Swift, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Steven Tarr, who was offered $55,000 over four years from MTSU, University of Memphis and the Tennessee Lottery; Bria Taylor, who was offered $28,000 over four years from MTSU and the Tennessee Lottery; Ben Teague, who was offered $30,000 over four years from Lipscomb University and the Tennessee Lottery; Hunter Todd, who was offered $73,360 over four years from UT-Knoxville, Mississippi State and the Tennessee Lottery; John Troy, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Rick Van Sant, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Anna Vandiver, who was offered $17,000 over four years from Tim Goff’s william B. Pritchett Scholarship and the Tennessee Lottery; Paige Waldren, who was offered $20,000 over four years from UT Martin and the Tennessee Lottery; Brittney Walker, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; DJ Walters, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Martini Webb, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Rashee West, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Caleb Williams, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Cara Williams, who was offered $27,000 over four years from UT-Martin, Friends of Education, Dyersburg FFA and the Tennessee Lottery; Jessica Williams, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery; Amber Whindle, who was offered $17,200 over four years from UT-Martin and the Tennessee Lottery; Matt Wolf, who was offered $26,000 over four years from UT-Martin and the Tennessee Lottery; Micah Wright, who was offered $52,000 over four years from MTSU, UT-Chattanooga and the Tennessee Lottery; and Yuki Zhang, who was offered $16,000 over four years from the Tennessee Lottery.
DHS seniors enlisting in Armed Forces were also recognized at the event. Roderick Lobley was recognized for enlisting in the U.S. Air Force; and Derick Braddy, John Chandler, Matthew Hall, Sam Hunziker and Hunter Jordan were recognized for enlisting in the Tennessee National Guard.
DHS Senior Superlatives include:
* Most Talented – Rachel Holloway and Cory Smith
* Best Personality – Emma Caylor, Chris Berardi
* Most Organized – Emily Digiralomo, Caleb Langley
* Prettiest Eyes – Lauren Lewis, John Chandler
* Class Clown – Amanda Jones, Jack McGrail
* Biggest Flirt – Cara Williams, Ricky McCoy
* Best Smile – Eva Hayes, John Troy
* Most Dependable – Michaela Chandler, Hunter Todd
* Most Artistic – Sara Hester, Matt Wolf
* Most Athletic – Bria Taylor, Trevor Caldwell
* Most School Spirit – Brooke Hubbard, Ricky Kirby
* Most Likely to Succeed – Michelle Bostic, Andrew Legan
* Best All-Around – Savannah Johnson, Zach Little
* Most Involved Senior – Maggie Renshaw, Winn Decker
* Best Ride – Rebecca Moore, J.T. Baker
* Friendliest – Ginny Roper, Austin Evans
* Most Dramatic – Sara Reaves, Rick Van Sant
* Best Hair – Mallory Brunson, Trevor Sewell
* Typical Senior – Chelsea Metz, Adam Purvis
* Best Dressed – Mary Baker, Logan Collier