The DHS Class of 2008 cashed in on Monday at the school's annual Scholarship and Awards Assembly. Here Petty Officer Nance of the United States Navy passes out the big checks for college to seniors who have enlisted in the armed forces.

Community members, educators and representatives of colleges throughout the region gathered to award DHS seniors $2,375,249 in scholarships, not counting the 92 HOPE Scholarships received from the Tennessee Lottery.

Out of the school's 211 graduating seniors, 92 achieved the required 3.0 grade-point average and an ACT score of at least 21 to earn the $4,000 HOPE Scholarship.

Mahon presents Victoria Jowers with the honors she earned representing the school at the Mock Trial competition. The team won first place over the University School of Jackson in the district competition. Jowers, who served as team captain, earned MVP and the Lyman Ingram Award for her participation in the event. [Click to enlarge]

"Nearly half of our senior population scored high enough to get a HOPE Scholarship," said DHS Guidance Counselor Jan Holder. "To achieve that goal is wonderful."

In addition, 20 DHS seniors joined the school's "28 and Up Club" for their score on the ACT. Over a third of those students earned a score of 30 or more, some reaching scores of 33, 34 or 35.

The school also boasted 17 students who scored a 29 ACT and 3.75 GPA to receive the Merit Scholarship to be applied to tuition for any school in Tennessee.

DSCC President Dr. Karen Bowyer presents Courtney Maben with a full-tuition scholarship to the school for the jazz choir 'Syncopation.' [Click to enlarge]

Seniors in the 28 and Up Club include Michael Berardi, Sarah Houston, Carol Jones, Victoria Jowers, Jacob Landfield, Joseph LeMay, Shelley Lemon, Matthew McGehee, Chase Middleton, Ethan Mulvaney, Kelsey Murray, Rebecca Riddrick, Anna Robertson, Brittney Rummels, Ryan Sawyers, Brandon Smith, Cole Smith, Lisa Tarr, Joseph White and David Young.

Members of the junior class have also earned their share of high ACTs, with 14 juniors earning a score of 28 or higher, and 10 of those students scoring a 30 or above.

Junior members of the 28 and Up Club include Marilauren Anderson, Rebecca Austin, Brianna Clark, Hanna Chapman, Adam Ford, David Grueser, William Heckethorn, Kristen Kerr, Andrew Lay, William Lay, James Northcutt, Holly Owens, Jessica Pleasant and Kaitlyn Turner.

DHS Principal Mickey Mahon presents Andrew Critchlow with the Principal's Award. Critchlow received a standing ovation by his classmates. He was also honored by Mahon for 'being a true, blue Trojan every single day of the year.' [Click to enlarge]

Six members of the senior class were offered scholarships totaling over $100,000 over four years.

* Megan Cariker was offered $100,000 in scholarships from Belmont, Lambuth, Oklahoma State and the University of Tennessee at Martin.

* Valedictorian Sarah Houston was offered $124,852 in scholarships, including full tuition, housing, academic and Bunker Annual from Mississippi State and the Chancellor's, Engineering, Volunteer and Cancer Care Clinic scholarships to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

* Victoria Jowers was offered $136,000 in scholarships from Lambuth University, Southern Methodist University and Christian Brother's University.

* John Schultz was offered $129,436 in scholarships from Mississippi State, the University of Tennessee at Martin and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

* Cole Smith was offered $129,960 in scholarships from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Union University and the University of Tulsa.

* J.B. White was offered $110,000 in scholarships from Freed Hardeman University, Lambuth University, Union University and the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Other members of the DHS Class of 2008 awarded scholarships include Leslee Adams, who earned the $2,635 Rotary Club Scholarship to Dyersburg State Community College; Rachel Agee, who earned the $1,500 Ermco Scholarship to DSCC; Rachael Anderson, who earned the $1,000 Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarship and $4,000 over four years to UTM; Shelby Barger, who earned $12,000 over four years to the college of her choice from Nucor; Kimberly Bauer, who earned a $6,500 scholarship to Lambuth; Courtney Beckley, who earned $12,000 over four years to Middle Tennessee State University, $6,000 over two years to the University of Alabama, the $6,000 over two years Robert C. Byrd Scholarship and $6,000 over two years to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville; Lindsey Bennigen, who earned a $300 FFA Scholarship and the $1,300 Lillian Rawles Scholarship to DSCC; Michael Berardi, who earned $12,000 over four years to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, $38,000 over four years at Lyon College and $24,720 over four years to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; Katherine Binkley, who earned $15,200 over four years to UT Chattanooga and $14,400 over four years to UTM; Michael Brown, who earned $2,400 over two years to DSCC; Allie Campbell, who earned $30,000 over four years to Lambuth, $8,000 over four years to MTSU, $1,000 to UTM and $1,500 from the Cotillion Club to the college of her choice; Rachel Carter, who earned $8,000 over four years to UTM; Whitney Carter, who earned $6,000 over four years to UT Knoxville and $56,000 over four years to Baylor University; Kate Chaney, who earned $12,000 over four years to MTSU; James Childress, who earned $3,000 over two years to DSCC; Tom Cross, who earned $2,635 to DSCC; Christina Davin, who earned the $1,300 Lillian Rawles Scholarship to DSCC; Logan Dial, who earned $1,300 to DSCC; Rachel Dudley, who earned $8,850 over four years to Freed Hardeman; Jamar Edmonds, who earned $62,000 toward the college of his choice through the U.S. Navy; Kelly Eisenberger, who earned $2,625 from the Marine Corps; $3,400 over four years to UTM and the $1,000 Sam Ash Music Corp scholarship to the college of her choice; Whitney Erickson, who earned $32,000 over four years to Indiana University, $22,000 over four years to Lyon College, $12,000 over four years to MTSU and $20,000 over four years to Tulane; Steven Frey, who earned $4,000 over four years to UTM; Megan Gable, who earned the $300 FFA Scholarship to the college of her choice; Brandy Hamm, who earned $2,000 to DSCC; Cameron Henderson, who earned $62,000 to the college of choice through the U.S. Navy; Joanna Henderson, who earned $36,000 over four years to Lambuth and $30,000 over four years to Bethel; Brittney Herman, who earned the $2,000 Kiwanis Club Scholarship to DSCC; Lee Hicks, who earned the $1,000 King Rogers Jr. Scholarship to DSCC; Stephanie Johnson, who earned $56,000 over four years to Lambuth; Brittany Jones, who earned the $500 Delta Sigma Theta Scholarship; the $100 CRD Leadership Scholarship and the $1,300 Lillian Rawles Scholarship to DSCC; Thomas Kilzer, who earned $58,000 to the college of his choice through the U.S. Marines; Bethany Kolwyck, who earned the $300 FFA Scholarship to the college of her choice; Javaris Lee, who earned $62,000 toward the college of his choice through the U.S. Navy; Joseph LeMay, who earned $28,000 over four years to Belmont and $30,000 over four years to the University of Memphis; Shelley Lemon, who earned $46,800 over four years to Freed Hardeman and $15,000 over four years to Lipscomb; Beau Liljenquist, who earned $7,000 over four years to UTM, $18,150 over four years to Rhodes and $16,000 over four years to Lambuth; Courtney Maben, who earned $2,635 to DSCC; Courtney Mason, who earned $3,635 to DSCC; Ali McBride, who earned $4,000 over four years to UTM; Kayla McCanless, who earned the $2,000 E.E. Buddy Pace Jr. Scholarship from Tennessee Propane Gas Association, and $16,800 over four years to Union University; Matthew McGehee, who earned $12,000 over four years to UTM; Chase Morris, who earned $6,000 over four years to MTSU; Ethan Mulvaney, who earned $40,000 over four years to the Missouri University School of Science and Technology and $12,000 over four years to the college of his choice from Nucor; Jordan Murray, who earned $32,968 over four years to Mississippi State and $20,400 over four years to Freed Hardeman; Lauren Paschall, who earned $18,510 over four years to Union University; Kayla Peckenpaugh, who earned the $2,635 Dyersburg Breakfast Rotary Scholarship to DSCC; Allison Petty, who earned $7,000 over four years to UTM; Kristina Riley, who earned a cheerleading scholarship for an undetermined amount to DSCC; Anna Robertson, who earned $43,750 over four years to the University of Alabama and $20,050 over four years to the University of Mississippi, $16,000 over four years to UT Knoxville and the $250 Chi Omega Scholarship to the college of her choice; Scotty Rogers, who earned the $2,000 Civitan Scholarship to DSCC; Zach Roper, who earned the $2,000 SMS Orthodontist Scholarship to the college of his choice; Brittney Rummells, who earned $12,000 over four years to UT Knoxville; Ran Sawyer, who earned $12,000 over four years to UT Knoxville and the $850 Parks Scholarship to the college of his choice; Brandon Smith, who earned $20,000 over four years to UTM; Jasmyne Smith, who earned $4,000 to Sullivan University; Jeremy Smith, who earned $62,000 toward the college of his choice through the U.S. Navy; Brooke Stegemen, who earned $29,968 over four years to Mississippi State; Colby Stinebaugh, who earned $30,000 over four years to Union University and $6,000 over four years to UT Knoxville; Justin Tarpley, who earned $4,000 over four years to UTM; Lisa Tarr, who earned $60,000 over four years to Lambuth; LeShan Terry, who earned $62,000 to the college of his choice through the U.S. Navy; Trey Vernon, who earned the $500 Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship and the $1,000 DEA Scholarship; Kendra Watson, who earned the $1,300 Lillian Rawles Scholarship to DSCC; Arron Whitfield, who earned $62,000 toward the college of his choice through the U.S. Navy; Paige Whittle, who earned $24,000 over four years to Lipscomb and $13,200 over four years to the University of Mississippi; and David Young, who earned $12,000 over four years to UT Knoxville.

Awards presented to DHS seniors included the Robert C. Byrd Award to Leslee Adams and Courtney Beckley; National Merit Commendation to Victoria Jowers and Cole Smith; the DAR Award to John Schultz; the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Award to Todd Baker; and the Principal's Award, given to Andrew Critchlow, who received a standing ovation from his classmates at the ceremony.

"(This award is) not based on grades," said DHS Principal Mickey Mahon. "It is based on being a true, blue Trojan every single day of the year. A student who is always willing to help others and always has a smile on their face."

Senior Who's Who recipients, named by the faculty, were Sarah Houston, Carole Beth Jones and Cole Smith for Language Arts; Andrew Critchlow for Exceptional Education; Tiffany Jones for FCCLA; Joseph LeMay for Vocal; Brooke Stegeman for Foreign Language; Cole Smith, Beau Liljenquist and David Young for Science; Whitney Carter for Drama; Johnnie Mack Stephens for Art; Sierra Kattentidt and Sarah Houston for Band; Sarah Houston, Cole Smith and Ryan Sawyers for Math; Cole Smith and Sarah Houston for Social Studies; John Schultz and Katelin Dudley for Agriculture; Sarah Anne Edwards for Leadership; Paige Whittle for Marketing; Jake Pruett for Carpentry; Brittany Herman for Health Science; and Corey Criswell for Business.

Senior Superlatives, named by the student body, were Most Fashionable, Brooke Stegeman and Isaac Kyle; Most Talented, Brittany Herman, Paige Whittle and Joseph LeMay; Best Personality, Sarah Anne Edwards and Cole Dickerson; Trojan of the Year, Sarah Anne Edwards and Taurean Thompson; Best All Around, John Schultz and Sarah Anne Edwards; Most School Spirit, Whitney Carter; Best Smile, Anne-Barret Deal and John Mark Moody; Most Likely to Succeed, Most Academic, Sarah Houston and Cole Smith; and Most Athletic, Allison Petty and Rashad Taylor.

Juniors honored in the ceremony included the Civitan Club's Outstanding Junior Boy and Girl, Ryan Wood and Hannah Chapman; and Boys and Girls State representatives Patrick Heckethorn, Andrew Ford, Adam Ford, Andrew Lay, McKenzie Shankle, Kristen Kerr and Hannah Chapman.