Dyer County High School Class of 2009 celebrates achievements at graduation

The DCHS Class of 2009 celebrates their achievement with the time-honored tradition of throwing their caps into the air.

To begin the ceremony the ever-stoic Dyer County JROTC posted the colors.

DCHS Senior Class Vice President Georgio Yancy gave the following invocation:

Seniors bow their heads as DCHS Senior Class Vice President Georgio Yancy gives the invocation for the graduation ceremony. [Click to enlarge]

"Father, we invite and invoke Your divine presence at this graduation ceremony and to be with these graduates.

We ask that from this day forward you help them to remember your son Jesus and his words: As they walk out the door of Dyer County High School and through other doors in their lives, help them to remember that Jesus said, 'I am the door.'

As they seek enlightenment through greater knowledge, help them to remember that Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world.'

As they seek their path through life and are tempted by many distractions, help them to remember that Jesus said, 'I am the way.'

Members of the DCHS JROTC exit the gymnasium after posting the colors during Friday night's graduation ceremony. [Click to enlarge]

As they seek to understand the deeper and ultimate meaning of their lives, help them to remember that Jesus said, 'I am the truth.'

As they seek fulfillment and the pursuit of happiness, help them to remember that Jesus said, 'I am the life, abundant, and eternal life.'

Father, watch over them, protect them, provide for them, guard them, guide them, and give them your grace to enable them to persevere to the end. In Jesus's name. Amen."

DCHS Senior Class President Hannah Stewart welcomed everyone with her greeting:

"Welcome!! Welcome to the graduation of Dyer County High School, Class of 2009! On behalf of the seniors, I want to extend warmest greetings to the proud parents, family, friends, and to the faculty and staff, who guided, inspired, and supported us during our years at Dyer County.

Classmates, you have exemplified the meaning of winning. You have won in the classroom, on the court, on the field, on the track, volunteering through Leo Club, and recently the 2009 Baseball State Championship. Let the winning not stop here. As we go out to create our future, let the class of 2009 be known as the class that made a difference.

DCHS seniors line up before entering in the processional to take their seats at graduation.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated, 'What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.' Within each of us we have the power to create change in the world: less greed, more peace, less about us, and more about others. This would make us all winners in the game of life.

Class of 2009, as we gather together for the last time, no matter what the future holds for you, remember one thing: You will always bleed True Orange for you will always be a Dyer County Choctaw.

May God bless each of you on your journey!"

The Highest Honors Seniors with a 4.0 GPA presented their speeches.

Seth Appleton gave the following speech:

"First of all, I would like to thank God, my family, friends, and teachers for getting me here to this podium before you tonight. If it was not for them, then all this would not be possible. Congratulations to all my fellow classmates on a job well done. It seemed as though this day would never arrive but here we are.

Our friendships and memories will stay with us forever. It has been a long journey these past thirteen years, and they all have been designed to get us here to this point. Our long journey together ends; we each now choose our own path. This path will be filled with potentials for success and failure. It is about this that I would speak to you tonight. ... If you do not remember anything else I say, please remember these extremely important words: Success is determined by attitude and desire.

As we go forward from here, whether to college, the military, or the workforce, this principle is universal. The portion we accept in life is in our own hands. Every one of us will achieve what we want in this life, it is ours for the taking ... but ... there is always a price to pay, nothing of value comes easy. America is the land of opportunity ... but ... we must be willing to meet opportunity with determination and resolve. Remember we are not the first to walk this road. Take heart in knowing, no matter what challenge or obstacle you face, someone else has already had to conquer it.

Your success will only be limited by your attitude and desire to achieve it.

From this night on, no matter what we are faced with in this life, one thing will remain constant, we will all be proud to call ourselves a Dyer County Choctaw from the graduating class of 2009."

Next, Amber Henry presented her speech:

"The past four years have been full of many struggles for the class of 2009, but there have also been many successes. I have truly enjoyed being a part of each of your lives, and I am confident that you will each have success at some point in the future. Thank you all for being a part of my life. I hope each of you leaves this school today KNOWING that you are capable of doing something great. I believe that with all of my heart. I'd like to share a verse with all of you. It's Philippians 4:13 ... 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'

I believe there is a lot of power in this verse, and I hope you will remember it if there's ever a time when you are doubting yourself. I love you guys! Congratulations! And ... thank you."

Katie King gave the following address:

"Friends, families, and faculty and staff of Dyer County High School, we are here tonight to celebrate the final step in the high school education of the class of 2009. It has been a long time coming, but until tonight it was just a dream etched in our minds. Some of us thought that this night would never come, but we always had people behind us to cheer for us and dream our same dreams.

Our families and friends have always supported us and believed in us, but perhaps the most supportive and influential people in our backgrounds were our teachers and administrators. Our faculty and staff at DCHS have dreams for each of their students, and they envision us doing amazing things and making huge differences in our fields, whatever they may be.

They believe in us even when we give them every reason to doubt, and they refuse to let us quit even when we are not so successful. The teachers and administrators here encouraged me to find a passion, and when I found it, they helped me form dreams to follow in that direction. Without their support and encouragement, I know that I would not have enjoyed many of the successes I accomplished in my high school career.

As a student of DCHS, I gained valuable real-world knowledge and experience from faculty mentors and administrative advisors. They taught me to live by this quote of Carl Sandburg: 'Nothing happens unless first a dream.' So, fellow graduates, I encourage you to continue dreaming and working toward your goals now that one, graduation, has been accomplished.

Guests, continue to support these graduates and their dreams especially when they are unsure of their futures. Faculty and staff, continue to dream on behalf of your students and encourage them to follow their hearts. Without you, our graduation tonight would not be possible, and many of our dreams may not have been realized. In conclusion, I want to thank you for everything you have done to help me as well as the other graduates. I will most certainly miss being a student here at Dyer County High School. Thank you."

And finally, Valerie Winters presented her speech:

"Congratulations class of 2009! After thirteen years of school we are finally graduating high school! We are free to explore the world around us and learn what God has in store for us. As we part our separate ways we remember those who have helped us along the way. So I would like to say a special thanks to parents, teachers, administrators, and friends for never giving up on us and encouraging us to do our best.

I would also like to say a special thanks to God, for without Him none of us would be here today. Matthew 19:26 says, 'With God all things are possible.' I want you a to keep these words hidden in your heart. Know that you can achieve anything you set your mind to as long as you have God. I wish you all the best of luck and that God blesses you in everything you do. Thank you."

After the DCHS concert band performed the song "Impact" the time had arrived for the seniors to receive their diplomas.

The ceremony ended with DCHS Senior Class Secretary Tyler Webb giving the benediction.

Members of the Dyer County High School Class of 2009 are as follows:

(* represents 3.2 GPA Honor Students, ** represents 3.8 GPA Honors Students, *** represents 4.0 GPA Honors Students and ^ represents National Honor Society)

*Carole Lanae Ables, Kacey Lynn Ables, Ronald Tyree Abston, Karina Ashley Adams, Jakeob Freeman Alexander, Kristen Delaine Alexander, Eric Wayne Allen, **^ Mary Allyson Alley, Vanessa Renee Anderson, *** Seth Eugene Appleton, *Bridgett Abigail Archer, *James Mark Baggett, Carey Lorenzo Barbee, Julia Carrine Bateman, *James Edward David Bessent, Kevin Patrick Binkley, William Shane Binkley, *^Darold Brooks Booth, *Tyler Anthony Boswell, William Huston Braddy, Jesse Dylan Bradsford, Joseph Ryan Bradley, Jonathan Blake Brooks, Stormy Cole Brooks, *Patrick Lynn Bryant, Timothy Wayne Bryant, Blake Aaron burg, *^Joshua Daniel Burkhead, Jordan Kyle Burnette, *Amber Nicole Burns, Crystal Nicole Camp, *Matthew Cordell Carver, *^Toby Lawrence Cashion, *Ashton Paige Cherry, Damien Seth Childress, Bradley Thomas Chuba, Justin Dewayne Clark, Tyler Paul Climer, Linden Wade Cole, Randy Paul Compton, Patricia May Cook, James Carderio Crittendon, *Kayla Brooke Crosno, Btittany Lash Cruse, Charles Michael James Davis, *Christina Dianne Davis, Courtney Lane Dickerson, Neal Thomas Doss, Leah Kristeen Dunavant, Genette Marie Duncil, **Ashley Mechelle Dunlap, Don al Ray East, *^Bethany Lauren Evans, **Jeremy Neal Faulk, **Trista Lynn Ferguson, Candy Renee Fincher, Elizabeth Ann Fisher, Paul Deangelo Fisk. Dallas Cooper Flowers, Jalisa Denise Foster, Ashley Marie Fowler, Chad Michael Gammons, Eric Vantrice Gardner, Ethan James Garner, Hunter Davis Godwin, Jesus Amador Gonzalez, *Stephen Andrew Goodman, Amanda Marie Goodwin, Brian Lee Goodwin, Brian Lee Goodwin, Josef Burton Gorzula, Austin Caldwell Gregory, *John Nathan Grijalva, *Mickey Evonne Hallmark, **^Mason Edward Hammond, Patrick Jordan Harper, Randi Allyson Hawkins, Rumeal Thomas Haymon, Kayla Leean Haynes, Paytton Cheyenne Haynes, Amber Jo Heathcott, *Lori Beth Henderson, *Olivia Nicole Hendren, Patrick Aaron Hendrix, ***^Amber Nicole Henry, **^Jon Patrick Hickman, Craig Matthew Hicks, Jason Edward Hodge, Eric Roger Hogeland, Lia Shea Hogshooter, Tabitha Lee Holland, Joshua Lee Hopper, Louis Dylan Householder, Tony Paul Howe, Kurt Anthony Jackson, James Cody John, David Newt Johnson, Elizabeth Colby Johnson, Megan Jean Johnson, **^Jessica Paige Jones, Heather Alicia Keeton, Lakeia Shunta Kennedy, *^Danielle Merie Ketchum, *^Emily Jean Kimbro, Brittinee Keonna Kincaid, **^Emily Sarah King, Gabrielle Christine King, Jessica Grace King, ***^Katherine Lynn King, Ashley Nicole Klutts, **^Brianna Megan Klutts, Rachel Diane Knox, Jacklin Joann Kolwyck, Joshua Lee Kolwyck, **^Brooke Ashley Lacy, Robin Nicole Lentz, Rebecca Mae Lescure, Andrew Brent Lewis, *^John Jolene Likins, Nicklous Edward Livingston, *Kalob Matthew Long, *Kenneth Ray Long, Jonathan Tyler Lovell, *Terri Brook Lovell, *Peyton Scott Lucas, Hannah Beth Luckett, Ashley Marie Lumley, Zachary Charles Luther, Christopher Keith Lyte, *Emilee Nicole Mamula, *Danny Ray Maness, Brittany Nicole Matheny, Catherine Marie Mayberry, **^Brittany Gwyn McCollum, Taliya Carol McGuire, Tyler Forrest McQuire, Eric Keith McLin, Kade Jeffery Messersmith, Gabriel Jaime Millan, Jefery Allen Miller, Brittany Leah Moody, Kasey Kristine Moore, Megane Nicole Moore, Andrea Maleigha Moorer, *Jenna Leia Mula, **Nikolas Collin Mula, Kevin Hardin Muncrief, *^Amber Nicole Murchison, Trevor Lee Murray, Gregory Paul Nale, **^Joni Lynn Nale, James Norman Jr., Christine Ann Pace, **^Tarah Lynn Parker, *Jordan Nicole Patrick, 8Jordan Lynn Patterson, Alejandra Elizabeth Pena, Matthew Brice Peric, William Andrews Peters, *Weston Blake Petty, Rex D'Marco Pierce, *Brittany Jayne Powell, Edward Devane Powell, *Shellye Marie Pruitt, *Garrett Craig Purvis, Alexander Frederic Rabine, Cesar Ramirez, Trevor Garrett Reasons, Brent Allen Reed, Dustin Heath Reed, Crystal Faye Renfroe, Kristen Blaire Rice, Rita Elizabeth Richard, *Chelsea Leigh Roberson, *Tyler King Roberson, *Jonathan Mark Roberts, William Elliot Rogers, **^Molly Marlayna Romo, *^Cody Russell Rose, Elizabeth Gomez Rosendo, Megan Nicole Sadler, *Sarah Beth Sampson, *^Kelley Elizabeth Sanders, *Adam Christopher Santiago, Sarah Blanche Sawyers, Nickolas Grant Scobey, James Preston Seratt, Steven Allen Shaver, *^Chelsea Lynn Shell, John Aaron Shelton, *^Lindsey Jo Shelton, Thomas Gregory Lewis Simmons, Colton Porter Simpson, Sabrena Mae Simpson, Misty Dawn Singleteary, **Brandi Elise Smith, *Jeremy Dale Smith, Joshua Adam Spain, *^Hannah Paige Stewart, Casey Lee Stoneburner, *Anthony Lynn Sweat, Aaron Glen Tate, Jr., Christopher Kyle Tatum, James Thomas Taylor, *Michael Robert Taylor, Shea Wesley Thomas, *Kelly Nicole Thompson, *^Jessica Lee Tickle, Angela Faye Tidwell, *Joshua Scott Treece, Travis Dalton Truax, Sheena Shantell Vaughn, Vonetta Lashay Vaughn, Adam Thornton Veal, Elizabeth Ann Waller, Danny Joe Walton (deceased), Zachary Ray Walton, Cierra Desirea Ward, Amanda Nicole Webb, *^Joshua Tyler Webb, Logan Alexander Webb, Zachary Anthony Webb, Christopher Blake Weldon, Jesse Douglas Weldon, Demotto Travon Wheeler, *Anthony Craig Whitt, **Taylor Ryan Wilkerson, Caress Latasha Wilkes, Victoria Wilkes, Lindsey Michele Williams, Derek Heath Wilson, Jimmy Ray Wilson Jr., *Tonia Lynn Wilson, ***^Valerie Lauren Winters, **^Jordyn Caroline Wood, Cally Beth Woods, *Christopher Scott Woodward, William Curtis Wright, Georgio Runnell Yancy, **Christopher Leon Yeater and Terry Terrell Young.