Dyersburg High School Class of 2009 lauded at commencement

DHS graduate Jasmine Leah Dance pauses for a photo, as Felicia Daniels prepares to accept her diploma from School Board member Gleyn Twilla.

A large crowd gathered in the Dyersburg High School gym on Friday evening to celebrate a milestone in the lives of the 226 members of the Class of 2009.

An emotional evening for many, the graduates and their guests paused to reflect on their memories of the past and dreams for the future. DHS senior McKenzie Shankle set the tone for the evening with her moving invocation.

Family members, friends and classmates were also treated to a performance of "The Long and Winding Road" by the Dyersburg High School Chorus, led for the last time by retiring director Cooper Patterson.

The traditional processional, Pomp and Circumstance, was performed by organist Suzanne Harrington, who played Triumphal March for the recessional.

Dyersburg City Schools Superintendent Lloyd Ramer congratulated the graduates on their achievement on behalf of the Dyersburg City School Board, but the words of wisdom he passed on to the graduating class were not his own.

"This is an important event in the lives of the young adults sitting in front of me," said Ramer. "I'm here to offer pearls of wisdom, but it occurs to me that these young people might not want to hear what I have to say. So I will share words of wisdom from Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, that he gave at a commencement much like this a few years ago."

"I feel it necessary to make a few comments on this class," said DHS Principal Mickey Mahon, who said members of the Class of 2009 excelled in athletics and academics, with 126 of the 226 graduates earning HOPE Scholarships and the class offered a total of $6.5 million in college scholarships. "You just cannot top that. I could go on, but I have a long list of names to call out."

As many as 226 seniors in the Dyersburg High School Class of 2009 joined together on Friday evening to celebrate the milestone of commencement.

Salutatorian Adam Ford, son of John and Debbie Ford, was the first to speak during the ceremony. He gave the following speech:

"Mr. Ramer, members of the school board, faculty, parents, and friends:

When I was announced as the class of 2009's Salutatorian, the first thought that came to mind was that God is good.

The second was that I had to make a speech.

I was wondering how I could get everyone involved and interested. I knew the gym would most likely be hot and crowded, and most of the people there would probably not have a strong desire to listen to an 18-year-old babble.

Well, as I was searching for ways to begin in an interesting manner, I stumbled upon a simple quiz that I found not only to be interesting, but also thought-provoking.

The first part of the quiz consisted of several questions:

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.

3. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor/ actress.

Now for the second part of the quiz:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time and made you feel appreciated.

Cooper Patterson leads his last performance as choir director at Dyersburg High School during the commencement exercises of the Class of 2009. 'As many of you are aware, Cooper Patterson is retiring this year after many years of teaching and I would ask you to congratulate him on his retirement,' said Dyersburg City Schools Superintendent Lloyd Ramer at the ceremony. 'Dyersburg High School has the best choir in the state.'

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

Chances are that the second quiz was much easier for the majority of you. The point that I am trying to make is that the people in the first group are those who our world labels as successful, while the second group of people is just as successful, if not more so. Material success and fame are often forgotten and fade away, but people who make a difference in other's lives are never forgotten.

Moreover, with each of us facing great changes and challenges, many of us could use some advice and direction for our futures. One of the best pieces of advice surprisingly comes from a children's author whom we are all familiar with.

The DHS Class of 2009 crest adorns the back of the graduates' gowns. [Click to enlarge]

In Dr. Seuss's book "Oh the Places You'll Go," he writes:

'You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.'

The teachers at Dyersburg High School have trained the 'brains in our heads.' They have taught us math, science, history, and English. They have tutored us before and after school to ensure that every student reached his/her fullest potential. While our teachers have taught us the facts and rules, they have also taught us to question the world around us and not to take everything we hear as the truth.

Undoubtedly, one of the most important lessons I learned in high school was while I was sitting in Coach Durbin's World Geography class as a freshman. He always stressed the importance of learning to think on your own, and not relying on someone else's understanding.

Our parents, family, and friends have helped put our feet in our shoes. They have been our encouragers when we failed and our cheerleaders when we succeeded. They have given us great advice that, at times, we did not want to hear. Most importantly, they have equipped us with all we needed to complete this portion of our journey.

While we will not all have to jump hurdles literally, as some of us have done in track and field, we will all encounter obstacles and hurdles as we move into the next stages of our lives.

Our teachers, parents, family, and friends have afforded us with all we need to jump over those hurdles. With 'brains in our heads' and 'feet in our shoes,' it is now up to us to make a leap. It is our decision to choose the direction our lives will take.

I know my class joins me in thanking all of those who have made high school truly unforgettable.

Thank you to a loving God who has blessed us beyond measure.

Thank you to all of the wonderful teachers who have impacted us in ways that you may never know. I would also like to thank the parents and families for all the support and love we have received throughout our lives!

To this senior class, I am blessed that every one of you have been a part of my life and I will miss each of you dearly.

May God bless you in all that you do as you steer yourself in whatever direction you choose!"

Hannah Chapman, daughter of Willis and Melodee Chapman, served as valedictorian for the Class off 2009. During the ceremony, she gave the following address:

"Good evening board members, faculty, families, and fellow graduates.

Congratulations. Felicidades. Felicitations. Gong xi, gong xi.

We have learned many things in this place: how to say phrases in foreign languages, the anatomy of an earthworm, Shakespearean sonnets, the limits of Calculus, the location of Flint, Chattahoochee, Apalachicola, and countless others.

We have spent the last thirteen years working toward this point, and it is finally here.

Many of us will go on to college and others will enter the work force for the first time, but all of us will be required to use what we have learned, and not just academically speaking.

We will be immersed in a completely different social environment. Our emotions will be stretched under stresses never felt before - getting up in the morning without the help of Mom, trying to do laundry for the first time, skipping class without Mr. Cole chasing us down - we will be presented with new opportunities, new experiences, and new challenges. How we respond to these new situations, whether we shy away or seize them head on, will define who we will be.

But we do not face them unequipped. We hold on to what we have learned and the people who have influenced us.

Our sophomore year, Mrs. Ridens assigned our class to write an extended metaphor for our lives, and this is what I wrote:

'My family is my house, and everyone in my family is a part of that house. My dad is the roof because he is always caring, and he protects and provides for all our needs. My mom is the walls because she holds us together and surrounds us in her love. My brother Nathan is the furniture because he is dependable and supportive. My sister Bethany is the decoration because she is creative and always adds a little something special to everything. My brother Ben is the door because he is outgoing and is always inviting people in. I am the lights because I see things the way they are, and I try to make everything a little brighter.'

Now, we all come from different families and have different backgrounds. Some of us might be the roof of our family or the walls, or the windows or the garage. Regardless of what particular background we have, we have all been shaped and influenced by others. Our roles in our families have been nurtured and developed by the past 18 years.

Similarly, at DHS we are shaped by our friends and our teachers and our classmates. We have grown these four years to become who we are today. Even though we will all separate, we cannot erase what has happened here, and who we have become.

We have all had our own roles and have played the parts we were meant to play. Regardless of where we go or what we do, the part we have played here will remain with us.

In addition, we must remember that we have not only been the shapees but also the shapers. On our families, our teachers, and our classmates we have made a lasting impact that cannot be erased. We may leave them, but just as their influence will still be a part of us, our influence will not leave them.

To be completely honest, I didn't want to give a speech. I felt like I didn't have anything to say. But since I'm here, I will give you one last piece of advice: don't be stupid.

As Adam has said, "You have brains in your head and feet in your shoes."

You've been taught to use them better here - so do it. Think about your decisions. Think about the people you hang out with, and the ways you spend your time. Think about what you should care about, and what you should hate. Think about what the world needs and how you can contribute to it. Think about what you listen to, what you eat, what you wear, where you go. Think about things that are worthwhile.

Don't think about things that aren't.

We have one life to live, one brain and one body.

Don't waste them.

Thank you. And God bless."

Members of the DHS Class of 2009 are listed as follows:

Allyson Claire Agee (1,2,4), Melashia Kiersten Aguilar (1,2,3), Kimberly Nasha Akins, George Ian Alley (1,3,4), Kyle Christian Anderson, Marilauren Elizabeth Anderson (1,4), Rebecca Caroline Austin, Erica Denise Baker, Colton Spencer Bane, David Zachary Bargery (1,3), Kyle Matthew Belcher, Carmen Renaldo Bell, Jamie Luanne Benthal, Kasey Marie Blalock, Jermanee Franklin Bostic, Samuel Alvie Bradshaw (3), Blake Alan Brewer, Wendell Allen Burns, Sara Beth Byars (1,3), Jade Denise Caldwell, Madison Leigh Cartwright, Hannah Rae Caylor (1,2,3,4), Brittany Kay Chandler, Dyllon Keith Chapman, Hannah Elizabeth Chapman (1,2,3,4), Anna Kathryn Childress (1,3), Brianna Maureen Clark (1,2,3,4), Katie Lynn Clark (1,3), Jason Nathaniel Click (1,3), Matthew Drake Coker (1,3), James Edward Cole, Marci Hannah Coleman (1,2,3), Crystal Ladoria Connell (3), Arie Bernard Cork, James Austin Crisp (1,3), Jonathan Aaron Criswell, William Lee Cross (1), Jasmine Leah Dance (1), Felicia Nicole Daniels, Evan Michael Digirolamo (1,2,3,4), Latina Odette Dobbins (3), Amber Brooke Donaldson (1,2,3,4), Colton Chase Dudley (1,3), Tyler Joseph Dukes, James Joseph Durbin (2,4), Jeffrey Thomas Dycus (1,3), Stuart Marquis Edmonds, Iesha Nicole Eison, Aaron Jordan Elam (1,2,3,4), Robert Allen Ellis (1,2,3,4), Sarah Elizabeth Epperson (1,2,3,4), Shellie Lynn Epperson (1,2,3,4), Blake Christopher Evans (3), Emily Marie Evans (1,2,3,4), Mica Monet Evans (3), Kirsten Marie Farrer (1,2,3,4), Bryan Wayne Farrow, Olivia Rae Ferguson, Susannah Wheeler Finley, Courtney Lashelle Flagg, Adam Zachary Ford (1,2,3,4), Andrew Fletcher Ford (1,2,3,4), Charles Blake Funderburk (1,2,3,4), Nicholas Thomas Galewski (1,3), Brittany Shae Gammons, Ryan Paul Gammons (1,3), James Alvin Gatlin, Courtney Nicole Gibbons, Raymond Anthony Goff, Adam Christopher Golden (1,3), Candace Carlene Goldsmith, Leah Jean Graham (4), Mollie Rose Greenlee (1,2,3,4), David Thomas Grueser (1,2,3,4), Jakob Jones Gulledge (1,2,3,4), Jordan Lea Gunn (1,2,3,4), Rebecca Lee Guthrie (1,2,3,4), James Douglas Guttery (1,2,3,4), Megan Nicole Hall (1,3), Taylor Jeffrey Hall (1,3), Jamie Lynn Ham, Katherine Elizabeth Hampton (1,2,3,4), Savannah Layne Harbin (1,2,3,4), Tkeysha Monique Harbor, Jordan Ray Hart, Zachary Ray Hartleroad (1,3), Jessilyn Paige Hayes (1,2,3), Sharetha Shanae Haynes (1,3), William Patrick Heckethorn (1,2,3,4), John Ellis Henderson, Hampton Edward Hickman (1,3), Amanda Lee Hill (1,3), Bryan Tyrell Hill (1,3,4), Joycelyn Nicole Hill, Troy Alford Hogue, Kimberly Elizabeth Holcomb, Fredniqua Tajee Nicole Hopkins, Bryson Darryl Horner (1,2,3), Alan John Huish (3), Megan Hope Hummer (1,2,3,4), Jared James Humpolick (1,3,4), Cherrelle Evelyn Hunt, Shelby Katelyn Hutcherson (4), Devan Hunter Jacobi (1), Benjamin Scott James (1,3), Ivory Lashella Jenkins, Madison Blythe Johnson (1,2,3,4), Shirka Demer Johnson, Evan Ross Jones (1,3), Karen Marie Giles Jones, Kimberly Christine Jones, Marko Devell Jones (1,3), Natosha Faye Jones, Terra Scarlett Jones (1,3,4), Kristen Leigh Kerr (1,2,3,4), Kiera Brunte King, Robert Lanier, Michael Brian Lavelle, Andrew David Lay (1,2,3,4), William Nale Lay (1,2,3,4), Bianca Renee Lee, Justin Vincent Lee, Albert Michael Lemons, Brittany Michelle Leonard (1,2,3), Jessica Irene Light (1,2,3,4), Samiqua Leshelle Liphford, Aaron Marie Lobley, John William Lomas (3), Jal Alexander Lovins, Khiry Tramone Lurks, Deanna Tusha Mallard, Kayla Brooke Marberry (1,3,4), Keli Brook Marbry, Marcus Allen Marotti (1,3,4), Celina Rochelle Martin (3), Jessica Antonea Martin, Genaro Gonzalez Martinez (1,3), Latoya Lashunda Mayes, Chasity Alexandria Maze (1,3), Eric Christopher McClain (1,3), Nicolette Dominque McCrite, Keith Wilson McGuire (1,2,3,4), Kyle Wesley McGuire (1,2,3,4), Jesse James McNeil, Daisy Sharee McPherson, Brittany Lynn Miller, Daniel Alexander Moser (1,3), Erin Rebekkah Naifeh (1,2,3,4), Jeremy Dewan Nance, Weston Hinson Newbill (1,2,3,4), Kevin Andre Newman, James David Newsom (1,3,4), Hunter Dane Newsome (3), James Terence Northcutt (1,2,3,4), Jared Lynn Orman (5), Holly Nicole Owens (1,2,3,4), Allison Donlee Palmer (1,2,3,4), Jasemine Tiaria Parr, Anish Satish Patel (1,3), Rishi Sanjay Patel (1), Jordan Ashley Pence (1,2,3,4), Timothy Andrew Pettie, Devan Micheal Pierce, Jessica Lindsay Pleasant (1,2,3,4), Desiree Danelle Powell, Allison Nicole Purvis (1,2,3,4), Jessica Nichole Putman (1,3), John Angel Quillian, Kara Ashley Rashall (1,3,4), Tracy Nichole Ratliff (1,3,4), Brandon Kyle Rogers, Jessica Lynn Rupp (1,3,4), John Taylor Sanders (1,2,3), Megan Bethany Scott, Tallon Jaden Scott (1), James David Seaton, Jackson Tyler Sewell, Sherry Brooke Sewell (1,2,3), Caroline McKenzie Shankle (1,2,3,4), Melvin Lashun Shaw, Jesse Devon Simmons (5), Micheal Wayne Singleton (1,3), Jessica Carol Sisk, Jacob Alan Smith (1,3), Christopher Ryan Sorrell (1,3), Mary Nanette Spence, Kayla Beth Spoon (1,3), Robert Lee Stacy, Jonathan Aaron Stansbury, Ashley Lauren Storey (1,2,3,4), Carley Rhiannon Strawn, Clayton Dunston Swanner, Amber Michelle Taylor, Kendra Faye Taylor (1,3), Antoinette Lanice Thomas (1,3), Cameron Dion Thomas, Kemisha Michelle Thompson (1,2,3,4), Nicholus D'Angelo Thompson, Blake Alexander Thornton, Claire Anne Tidwell (1,3,4), Rachelle Vashawn Tipton, Jessica Leigh Ann Tolley, Amber Michelle Townson (1,3,4), William Harris Troy, Kati Brooke Tucker (1,3,4), Keona Lavette Turner, Kaitlyn Nicole Turney (1,2,3,4), Amanda Carol Tyler, Whitney Dawn VanSant (1,2,3,4), Sara Jane Via (1,3), Mary Curren Viar (1,2,3,4), Mitchell Wagner, Patrick Markel Walden (3), Jamiana Victoria Walton, Raven Jaleel Warren (1,2,3), Joshua Alan Watkins (3), Courtney Brooke Wells (1,2,3,4), Justin Omar Whitfield (3), Joseph Dalton Wilder (1,2,3,4), Cory Cephus Williams, Dontravius Deshun Williams, Richard Grant Williams, Chelsea Paige Wilson (1,3), Ryan Thomas Wood (1,2,3,4), Shelby Danielle Wright (1,3), Tywanna Lasha Yarbro, Amanda Marie Yates (1,2,3,4), Thomas Paul Yates, and Kyle Nathaniel Youmans (1,3).

(A key to honors earned by the Class of 2007 includes 1-Honors Diploma; 2-National Honor Society; 3- Tennessee Scholar; 4-Gold Tassel (93 average or above); and 5-Summer School Graduate.)