Arkadelphia High School will graduate 121 seniors Saturday, May 20 at the Duke Wells HPER Gymnasium on the campus of Henderson State University, according to Principal David Maxwell. The ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m.
The Summa Cum Laude speech will be given by Pempho Ellen Moyo, the daughter of Lloyd and Ruth Moyo. Moyo is a member of the AHS Quizbowl Team, President of the AHS Beta Club, President of the Black History Month Committee and a member of the AHS National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and a 4-year Badger Scholar. Moyo attends United Pentecostal Church where she is a member of the Youth Group. She will be attending Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.
The seniors chose English Teacher Beverly Slavens to deliver the faculty challenge, which will be responded to by 2016-17 Student Council President, Jackson Henry Bennington.
Summa cum laude graduates have earned a GPA of 4.001 or better and a composite ACT score of 21 or better with no sub scores lower than 19. Summa cum laude graduates at the time of publication include the following: Mikayla Lynn Adams, Tea Nicole Burgess, Preston Rhodes Crowder, Nova Jean Franklin, Jared Christian Garner, Sidney Brooke Medley, Pempho Ellen Moyo, Connie Stephany Quintero, Sara Emilee Roberson, Alexis Margaret Summerford, Chandler Katlynn Taylor, Kayla Marie Thompson, Abigail Loren Turner, and Mary Abbygail White.
Parents of these graduates and of those who achieve Magna cum laude (GPA of 3.750 to 4.000 and a composite ACT score of 20 or better with no sub score lower than 19), Cum laude (GPA of 3.500 to 3.749 and a composite ACT score of 19 or better with no sub score lower than 19), and/or Advanced Diploma status will present medallions to their children who have earned these distinctions.
Senior class officers will direct the welcome, the Pledge of Allegiance, the dedication of the senior flowers, the introductions of Moyo and Slavens, and the closing. Officers include Mary Abbygail White, President; Chandler Katlynn Taylor, Vice President; Alexis Margaret Summerford, Secretary; Kayla Marie Thompson, Treasurer and Jackson Henry Bennington, Reporter.
Commencement will be opened by the AHS JROTC Color Guard. The AHS Band, under the direction of Jim Lloyd, will play the processional and the alma mater. Diplomas will be awarded by Dr. Donnie Whitten, superintendent of the Arkadelphia Public Schools, and Mr. David Maxwell, Principal of AHS. Assisting with the diplomas will be Ms. Cheryl Merk, assistant AHS principal, and Mr. Randy Hicks, Dean of Students.
Escorts for the Class of 2017 will be juniors who have earned the top grade points and include the following: Waylon Cargile, Jimmy Castro, Mollie Daniell, Fateemah Faiq, Keaton Goodrum, Allison Harris, Scott Holbrook, Jordan Jarboe, Taylor Savage, and Haley Zeiler.
Arkadelphia Public Schools serves more than 2,000 students in Clark County, Arkansas, ranging from 6-weeks-old through college- and career-readiness - and is home of the Arkadelphia Promise.
APS News hanna.dean@arkadelphiaschools.org