History is made as two CHS seniors are guaranteed teaching jobs here

School officials announced that approximately $1.7 million in scholarships has been awarded to the Class of 2019 and 139 of the 279 candidates for graduation are eligible for Georgia’s HOPE scholarships.

The evening was historic with the announcement that two of the graduating seniors are being guaranteed teaching jobs with the Grady County School System upon graduation from college.

Grady County School Superintendent Dr. Kermit Gilliard announced to the packed auditorium crowd that Kara Reann Welch and Michael Terry Addison are being offered jobs with the school system on their successful completion of college and acceptance of a bachelor’s degree.

Both Welch and Addison were announced earlier this year as Sullivan Scholars and they have been accepted into the Valdosta State University Sullivan Scholars Program, which was endowed by the late Ruby R. Sullivan of Camilla.

The Valdosta Sullivan Scholars Program awards college scholarships to high school juniors and seniors from high-poverty schools in rural Georgia who want to attend VSU and become K-12 teachers after graduation. The program provides a debt-free college experience for participants and covers all college-related expenses, including tuition, books, housing and meals. The amount given to each student will vary depending on the additional financial aid, such as the HOPE Scholarship or Pell Grant that he or she receives. Participants will also receive a $400 stipend each semester while in college.

The Valdosta Sullivan Scholars Program is by invitation only and based on need and merit. To be eligible, high school juniors or seniors must attend a rural Georgia school that is participating in the program; receive at least two nominations from a teacher, guidance counselor, or principal; have a desire to attend VSU and become a teacher; maintain a 3.0 grade point average or higher while in high school; have a significant need for financial aid to attend college; and meet VSU admission requirements.

Once accepted into the program, students must provide tutoring to middle grades students for two semesters while in high school.

At VSU, participants must maintain a 2.75 grade point average and gain admission into a teacher preparation program within the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services.

If participants choose to teach at a high-poverty school in Georgia after graduating from VSU, they will receive a $2,500 stipend per year for their first two years of teaching.

“To be named a Sullivan Scholar is one the highest honors, if not the highest honor at Valdosta State University. The members of the Grady County Board of Education and I wanted to also honor our Sullivan Scholoars and decided that a job offer was a befitting honor. Kara and Michael will be guaranteed a job with Grady County Schools when they finish college. They have both been excellent students in Grady County and we look forward to their return to teach and inspire future generations as new teachers,” Dr. Gilliard said.

The school superintendent made the recommendation to guarantee the two Sullivan Scholars a teaching position at a called meeting of the school board on April 23 and the board approved it unanimously.

Ian Ellison Batey was named the Valedictorian of the class and Thomas Myron Jones is the class Salutatorian.

Cairo High School Principal Chris Lokey recognized the Honor Graduates of the Class of 2019. These students have achieved a weighted 6.0 grade point average or better and a non-weighted GPA of 3.5 or better for each of the four years of their high school career.

Honor Graduates

Valedictorian: Ian Ellison Batey

Salutatorian: Thomas Myron Jones

James Ethan Adams, Isaac Robert Addison, Jennifer Moran Alfaro, Gustavo Acevedo Alva, Destiny Brianna Anderson, Cambrea Shynece Augusta, Alyson Brooke Ausley, Riley Lynn Bell, Iris Michael Brimm, Gloria Elizabeth Brumbley, Diem An Bui Nguyen, Savannah Grace Butler, Ladre Christopher Bryden, Kaitlynn Elanie Kay Bywaters, Jake Thomas Cassels, Brian Castellanos-Garcia, Sydney Margaret Catrett, Samantha Angelica Contreras, Hannah Lynn Fallaw, Secilia  Gomez, Joshua Adam Griffin, Jaheem Jahquez Hampton, Ashley Maren Hand, Jerrell DeShawn Hardy, Brianna Lee Harrell, Emily Faith Harrell, Tavares Xavier Hart, Michelle Elizabeth Hebert, Tony Bernard Herring, Raymond Cooper Hester, Judson Stewart Hickey, Jade Adreeyon Hubbard, McKenna Brooke Hudson, Grant Lamar Humphries, Cameron Tate Hunziker, Erica Martinez Jimenez, JaKeyvan Ahmond Jones, James Aaron Knight, Taylor Gwynn Maige, Stefanie Yamilet Mandez, Christian Taylor McDugle, Erin Leigh McGhin, Allison Star McMillian, Emily Mae Meadows, Ricardo  Moran, Cody Adam Murkerson, Natia De’osha Myles, Madison Lynn Nelson, Jessica  Perales, Kimberlee Alexis Ponder, Tatum Lane Puckett, Meredith Samantha Renaud, Sierra Kay Rosencrantz, Jalyn Taylor Ross, Mauren Faith Sallee, Chance Walker Scott, Ta’Keria Suporia Smith, Thomas James Smith, Kelsey A’mya Taylor, Elsy Aylin Ventura, Eboni Shybrea Weaver, Kara Reann Welch, Javian Cedrieke Williams, Lindsey Rae Winzell, and Amaiah Nijay Young.

During Monday night’s program a variety of scholarships, awards and special presentations were made to members of the Class of 2019. Among those special presentations were:

Senior Scholarships/Awards

Trade & Industry Awards: Judson Stewart Hickey – first place and Andrea DeWayne Armstrong – second place

John B. & Elizabeth V. Wight Scholarship: Jalyn Taylor Ross and Thomas Myron Jones

National Honor Society Scholarship: Joshua Adam Griffin and Jalyn Taylor Ross

Celia Bass Science Award: Jalyn Taylor Ross

Harry and Eleanor Kelly Scholarship: Jalyn Taylor Ross

FCA: Jalyn Taylor Ross, Taylor Gwynn Maige, and Mauren Faith Sallee

Adam K. Davis: Christian Taylor McDugle

Spirit of ‘46 Award: Camerun Quayshawn Jones

Johnny Hancock Scholarship: Benjamin Andrew Prince

Carlton Gainous Scholarship: Jaheem Jahquez Hampton and Matthew Xi’Erion Jackson

Wh & Mary P. Muggridge Scholarship: Jennifer Moran Alfaro and Secilia Gomez

Alpha Kappa Sorority, Inc. Lambda Xi Omega Chapter: Destiny Brianna Anderson

Mayor’s Award: Ian Ellison Batey

City Council Award: Thomas Myron Jones

Southern Regional Technical College: Amaiah Nijay Young and Elsy Aylin Ventura

John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital Auxiliary: McKenna Brooke Hudson, Grant Lamar Humphries, Amaiah Nijay Young, and Kelsey A’mya Taylor

Cairo Woman’s Club: Elsy Aylin Ventura and Jessica Perales

Kiwanis Morning Star: Zyon Zhanae Greene

Semper Fidelis: Brandee’ Selenda’Lyn Brown and Brandon Dennard Brown

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Kappa Sigma Chapter of Valdosta, GA: Destiny Brianna Anderson

Grady General Ladies Auxillary: Lindsay Ann Todd

Thomas “T.D.” David Memorial Scholarship: Jalyn Taylor Ross

Dr. Gloria Jones Legacy Scholarship: Cameron Demond Goosby

Joe A. David, III Music Scholarship: McKenna Brooke Hudson

Cairo High School Band Spirit Scholarship: Michael Terry Addison and Kaitlynn Elaine Kay Bywaters

Syrupmaker Band Booster Scholarship: James Aaron Knight

High School/High Tech Computer Competition: Lindsay Ann Todd

Kaye Helms Mathematics Award: Joshua Adam Griffin

Deacon Howard Halliday Memorial Scholarship: Emily Faith Harrell

Valdosta Sullivan Scholars Award: Michael Terry Addison and Kara Reann Welch

Rose City Alumni Chapter of the Fort Valley State University: Cameron Demond Goosby

Cairo Kiwanis Club: Meredith Samantha Renaud and Destiny Brianna Anderson

First National Bank Scholarship: Jessica Perales

Washington Consolidated Class of ’61: Kelsey A’mya Taylor

Washington Consolidated Class of ’70: Destiny Brianna Anderson

Washington Alumni Thelma Grant Memorial: Kelsey A’mya Taylor and Nijal Akeem Sanders

W. R. Baker Scholarship: Maureen Faith Sallee

Patricia Orr Scholarship for Theatrical Literacy: Emily Faith Harrell, Sierra Kay Rosencrantz, Mauren Faith Sallee, and Javian Cedrieke Williams.

Thomasville Thomas County Area FAMU Alumni: Kelsey A’mya Taylor and Destiny Brianna Anderson

VFW#8433: Dakota Thomas Hightower Daniel

Thomas L. and Shirley J. Brown Scholarship: Michael Terry Addison and Tavares Xavier Hart

Auntie Ann’s Learning Center Scholarship: Alexis Faith Glover and Quintarius Marqueze Washington

Little Bethel AME Church Scholarship: Kelsey A’mya Taylor

U.S. Marines: Stefanie Yamilet Mandez

MLK Collaborative Scholarship: Destiny Brianna Anderson, Nijal Akeem Sanders, and Jennifer Moran Alfaro

Whigham CC Eagle Scout Scholarship: Ian Ellison Batey

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity: Matthew Xi’Erion Jackson

Wesley P. Collins Family Scholarship: Sierra Kay Rosencrantz

DAR Good Citizenship Award: Meredith Samantha Renaud

Kappa Alpha Psi: Cameron Demond Goosby

Art Scholarship: Gerald Deshawn Corker, Diem An Bui Nguyen, and Jessica Perales

Raconteur Scholarship: Madison Lynn Nelson and Hannah Lynn Fallaw

Star Student and Star Teacher: Ian Ellison Batey, Student and Thomas Shyamala, Teacher

CTAE Pathway Completers

Also on Monday night, College and Career Academy CEO Todd Gainous recognized seniors who have completed a series of three or four specififed courses in Career, Technical and Agricultural Education approved pathways that lead to a possible industry-recognized credential.

Isaac Robert Addison, Michael Terry Addison, Mitzy Pamela Alba Uriostegui, Tyler Jake Aldridge, Montgomery Clinton Alexander, Jennifer Moran Alfaro, Michael James Amidei, Jimmy LaBrandon Anderson, Travis Jamar Anderson, Andrea DeWayne Armstrong, Tacameron Johnquis Austin, Hunter Lee Avery, Bethany Nicole Barrett, Ian Ellison Batey, Alexis Michelle Battle, Owen Monroe Bearden, Angel Jenaro Benitez-Ruiz, Shannon Ivey Benton, Keon Jamal Bogan, Haley Elizabeth Bozeman, Iris Michael Brimm, Brandee’ Selenda’Lyn Brown, Branden Thomas Brown, Brandon Dennard Brown, Cedricus Quantavis Brown, Jamar Dontavis Brown, Jashauna Lakira Brown, Jordan Cordell Brown, Kolbe Ishmael Brown, Lakeisha DeShonda Brown, Tory Martel Brown, Savannah Grace Butler, Cierra Christine Bynum, Ladre Christopher Byrden, Kaitlynn Elaine Kay Bywaters, Geneva Sanchez Candelaria, MacKenzie Martin Cannington, Darby Shaw Carter, Chad Taylor Case, Tyler Austin Cash, Brian Castellanos-Garcia, Daijhana Denise Chandler, Jasmine Alexandria Santrell Chandler, Sergio David Chilel Chilel, Lewis Eduardo Chilel, JaKeria Shyniece Church, Ki-Azzeaia Ty-Onna Collier, Barnabus David Collins, Samantha Angelica Contreras, Coluer Lamont Cooper, Ja-Khira Shanice Cooper, Janelle Audriel Copeland, Parker Fredrick Courtney, Taylor Paige Dalton, Dakota Thomas Hightower Daniel, Madison Aubrey Davie, Sterling Lawrence Dekle, Sequoya Monae Donaldson, Matthew Christopher Dorsey, Johnny Curtell Adria Doyle, Sonja Mykayla Esquivel, Jeremy Luke Ezell, Bailey Mark Ferrell, Cornelius Kavon-Jamall Forrest, Alexis Faith Glover, Kadaja Jasmine Goar, Kinley Austin Godwin, Luis Ernesto Gomez, Secilia Gomez, Noed Gomez-Resendiz, Cameron Demond Goosby, Erica LaShay Gosier, Zyon Zhanae Greene, Joshua Adam Griffin, Ashley Maren Hand, Terrika Tyannah Hardwick, Brianna Lee Harrell, Hanna Lee Harrell, John Lawrence Harrell, Michael Brantley Harrell, Zachery Raymond Harrell, Jarod Cade Harrison, Ryan Javon Harrison, Destinee Camille Hart, Takiah Jenae’ Hayward, Tony Bernard Herring, Hanna Julianne Hester, Raymond Cooper Hester, Judson Stewart Hickey, Megan Nicole Hodge, Ty’Kiria Tashun Hudson, Grant Lamar Humphries, Cameron Tate Hunziker, JaMarcus JaQuon Jackson, Jarvis LaDarin Jackson, Ma’Kayla Nicole Jackson, Reginald Dewayne Jackson, Jacquez Jontavian James, Keija Donyea Jenkins, Erica Martinez Jimenez, Isidro Godinez Jimenez, Ervin Eugene Johnson, Hayden Payne Joiner, Alexis Danielle Jones, DeKimryn Artice Jones, Destiny Marie Jones, JaKeyvan Ahmod Jones, Monetzeiah Tierra Jones, Shedrrian Desean Jones, Thomas Myron Jones, Jacob Cole Jordan, Tyler Eugene Jordan, Jayla Deandra Kelly, Robert Littlehawk Kersey, James Aaron Knight, Damien Gregory Lane, Kaitlyn Diane Lashley, India Fine’ Leeks, Ahmad Shi-Heem Lewis, Erica Thalia Lopez-Gomez, Nathaniel Lee Lovin, KeBre-Ona DeAsia Lurry, Alexandria Alexuis Mack, Stefanie Yamilet Mandez, Megan Danielle Maxwell, Dexter Leon Maynor, Keshaunda Allicia McNeil, Emily Mae Meadows, Aiden Blake Merritt, Logan Alexandria Miller, Austin Connor Mobley, Brandon Chase Mobley, Taylor Brianna Montgomery, Marco Antonio Montoya Alba, Ricardo Moran, Cody Adam Murkerson, Desmond Carnile Myles, Natia De’osha Myles, Madison Lynn Nelson, Margarita Cristina Niz Mendez, Kassidy Ann Obando, Kelsey Lynn Obando, Kecia LaShae Orsburn, Gustavo Angel Pascual Simon, Jessica Perales, David Perez-Gomez, Jordan Jai’rell Perry, Ethan Alexander Pickel, Kimberlee Alexis Ponder, Benjamin Andrew Prince, Tatum Lane Puckett, Yesenia Ramirez-Sanchez, Lucinda Faith Rangel, Victoria Hope Rangel, Dasie LeAnn Rathel, Austin Hunter Ray, Hannah Elizabeth Roberts, Sierra Kay Rosencrantz, Jalyn Taylor Ross, Jessica Ann Sadler, Sara Leigh Sandefur, Nijal Akeem Sanders, Torey Kiana Sanders, Christina Nicole Sellars, Morgan Elaine Sellars, Hannah Elizabeth Sellers, Toby Ethan Sellers, Keyoshia LaRoyal Shazer, Lasandra Renae Shepherd, Kentrel Tywon Sims, Hasson Beer Sinclair, Taylor Kyle Singletary, David Earl Smith, Ke’Miyah Alexandria Smith, Kendric TyShaun Smith, Skyler Thomas Smith, Ta’Keria Suporia Smith, Thomas James Smith, Cheyenne Kathleen Solano, Peyton Nyasia Spencer, Tahkise Tyrone Spicer, Nicholas Jeremiah Stanford, Tamerial Alayshia Stinson, Selena Leigh Sweet, Ellison Keith Taylor, Kayla Denise Thomas, Casidy Erin Thursby, Lindsay Ann Todd, Nicolas Alexander Trull, Elsy Aylin Ventura, Dy’Asia Ta’Kembrey Walden, La-Dameon Ty-Shawn Walker, Taylor Michelle Walker, Quintarius Marqueze Washington, Richard Bradley Watts, Eboni Shybrea Weaver, Kara Reann Welch, Aaron Victor Williams, Charisma Rae Williams, Jazlyn Ladora Williams, Ke’yona Nicole Williams, Tatum Amanda Williams, Lindsey Rae Winzell, Mallory Elizabeth Wright, and Amaiah Nijay Young.

Senior Achievement Awards

Cairo High School department chairmen or representatives presented members of the Class of 2019 with Senior Achievement Awards. Those honored included:

English – Jalyn Taylor Ross; Social Studies – Stefanie Yamilet Mandez; Math – Meredith Samantha Renaud; Science – Ian Ellison Batey; Spanish – Kimberlee Alexis Ponder; Art – Gerald Deshawn Corker; Band – Riley Lynn Bell; Chorus – Tykeria Makiya Richardson; Drama – Quintarius Marqueze Washington; Business Education – Jennifer Moran Alfaro; Work Based Learning – Matthew Christopher Dorsey; Agricultural Education – Thomas Myron Jones; Culinary Arts – Ahmad Shi-Heem Lewis; Early Childhood Education – Kara Reann Welch; Healthcare Science – Michael Terry Addison; Metals – Montgomery Clinton Alexander; Engineering Drawing and Design – Andrea DeWayne Armstrong; Construction – Lindsay Ann Todd; Automotive Services – Reginald Dewayne Jackson; Automotive Services – Jarvis LaDarin Jackson; Information Technology – Brandon Chase Mobley; NJROTC – .Robert Littlehawk Kersey; Girls Athletics – Amaiah Nijay Young; and Boys Athletics – Matthew Xi’Erion Jackson.

CHS Principal Lokey thanked the following sponsors for their monetary donations for the Senior Achievement Awards and plaques: Ameris Bank, Cairo Athletic Booster Club, Cairo High School CTAE, Cairo’s DUI School & Right Way Defensive School, Cairo Kiwanis Club, Capital City Bank, Carter’s Cleaners, Cox Pharmacy, Donalson Diesel Performance, First National Bank, Five Star Credit Union, I CAN of Cairo, Pepsi Bottling Company, Stuckey Construction, Inc., Turner’s Garage & Body Shop, and United National Bank.

Special Awards

Cecelia Wight Citizenship Award – Jayln Taylor Ross

Julien B. Roddenbery Scholarship – Ian Ellison Batey and Thomas Myron Jones

John B. Wight Award – Ian Ellison Batey

John Herndon Award – Cameron Demond Goosby

Mac Butler Memorial Scholarship – Barnabus David Collins

Kay Avery Award – Amaiah Nijay Young

Jake Elkins Football Scholarship – Aaron Kavon Atkins

Jake Elkins Wrestling Scholarship – Jerrell Deshawn Hardy

Philip Almon Scholarship – Ian Ellison Batey

PaFran Farms Scholarship – Sierra Kay Rosencrantz

The Becky Williamson Scholarship – Austin Connor Mobley

Tom K. LeGette Sr., Scholarship – Jalyn Taylor Ross

Joey Maxwell Memorial FFA Scholarship Award – Thomas Myron Jones

Marty Langmaid and Eileen Engel Memorial Scholarship – Tatum Lane Puckett

One Blood Scholarship – Jalyn Taylor Ross and Michael Terry Addison

Pepsi Bottling Group Scholarships – Alyson Brooke Ausley, Iris Michael Brimm, Tavares Xavier Hart, and Matthew Christopher Dorsey.

“We are extremely proud of all of our seniors and we are looking forward to them receiving their diploma on graduation night. I was honored to be part of this historic night when our two, first-ever Sullivan Scholars were awarded guaranteed teaching contracts by Dr. Gilliard. This is very exciting. Who wouldn’t be excited about having the guarantee of a job waiting when they finish college. Great things are happening here at Cairo High School and I’m so proud of our faculty, staff and, most of all, our students,” said CHS Principal Lokey.