LHS Class of 2025 Commencement

By Shari Harris, Publisher

The Licking High School Class of 2025 Commencement ceremony was held on Sunday afternoon at the Sherman Hill Field House in Licking. Families and friends filled the gymnasium to watch the proceedings. This year’s graduating class consisted of eighty students.

Special music was performed by the LHS Concert Band, a group of three senior vocalists (Paige Kilby, Aubrey Gorman and Nicole Paolella), and The Cat’s Meow.

Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Telena Haneline provided the introduction, and was followed by Mr. Ethan Domenech, a senior speaker.

Domenech’s subject was academic excellence. He asked, “What’s it (achievement) all for?” He explained that their pursuits are to bring about more desirable states. He ended his speech with a challenge to his peers to “go forth and show the world the greatness our generation is going to achieve!”

Senior Mr. Lake Wade gave an invocation when invited to the stage by Domenech.

LHS Principal Dr. Jarad Rinne announced which students achieved the designation as Cum Laude (3.7-3.84 GPA), Magna Cum Laude (3.85-3.99 GPA), and Summa Cum Laude ((4.0+ GPA). He also announced this year’s Citizenship Award winners – Miss Ralee Clayton and Mr. Timothy Norris.

Senior Ralee Clayton spoke about character. She reminded seniors that true success is defined by character, doing the right thing even when it’s hard. She explained that even difficult moments prepare us for something greater. She urged her peers to choose kindness – it’s one of the greatest strengths. Clayton ended by challenging her class to “go out and show them who you are.”

High School Counselor Mrs. Sharida Green announced awards and scholarships. She also took the opportunity to speak to the class one last time, and inspired them to choose to love other people, telling them it would bring them the greatest joy.

The final speaker was Miss Kinley Keaton, whose subject was memories. Her heartfelt reminiscences of their years in school led them through laughter and tears, but she recalled that they always had each other to lean on. Her challenge to the class was to “go and do and make memories.”

Dr. Rinne announced seniors, and Mr. Alan Quick, President of the Board of Education, presented diplomas.

The final week of school for the seniors was a bustle of activities, including Baccalaureate on Wednesday evening at the Licking Christian Church and the Academic Reception on Thursday night at Licking Assembly of God.

Mr. Rick Mosher provided the main message at Baccalaureate and a Senior Address was given by Mr. Brady Hebblethwaite. Special music was performed by The Cat’s Meow.

Mr. Jimmie Stephens was chosen by the class officers to speak at the Academic Reception, and Dr. Rinne announced academic honors, National Honor Society members, and Citizenship Award winners. He also announced that two graduates, Ethan Domenech and Timothy Norris, received awards for scoring in the 80th Percentile or higher on the ACT.

Scholarships, Awards and Honors:

Janelle Bates – A+ Scholarship, Summa Cum Laude

Harlie Buchanan – A+ Scholarship, Stephen Maynard Memorial Scholarship $200, Licking Memorial Post 6337 VFW Scholarship $500, Westminster College Winston S. Churchill Scholarship $27,000 (Renewable), Summa Cum Laude

Kannon Buckner – A+ Scholarship, Dave Murphy Scholar Athlete Scholarship $1,000, Licking Memorial Post 6337 VFW Scholarship $500, Licking Booster Club Scholarship $250, Steve Denbow Memorial Scholarship $500, James Miller Memorial Scholarship $500, George Washington Carver Award, Summa Cum Laude

Elexus Burton – A+ Scholarship, Helping Hands Crisis Center Scholarship $1,000, Licking Memorial Post 6337 VFW Scholarship $500, Licking United Community Help Center Scholarship $1,000, Justin Dixon Memorial Scholarship $250

Hannah Jane Cain – Summa Cum Laude

Halee Clayton – A+ Scholarship, FCCLA Scholarship $500, Licking United Community Help Center Scholarship $1,000, Licking Community Teachers Association Scholarship $750, Licking Chamber of Commerce Scholarship $500, TCMH Healthcare Foundation Scholarship $1,000, Steve Denbow Memorial Scholarship $300, Lyndell G. Featherston Memorial Scholarship $600, George Washington Carver Award, Summa Cum Laude

Ralee Clayton – A+ Scholarship, Town & Country Bank Scholarship $1,000, S & R Insurance Scholarship $500, Progressive Ozark Bank Scholarship $250, Licking United Community Help Center Scholarship $1,000, George Washington Carver Award, Summa Cum Laude

Brooklyn Creech – A+ Scholarship, Justin Dixon Memorial Scholarship $250, Steve Denbow Memorial Scholarship $300

Zoey Dawson – A+ Scholarship

Ethan Domenech – A+ Scholarship, Washington University QuestBridge Scholarship $77,189 with additional scholarships/awards totaling $98,484 (Renewable), George Washington Carver Award, Summa Cum Laude

JD Fox – A+ Scholarship

Kaylee Garrett – A+ Scholarship, Steve Denbow Memorial Scholarship $300, Magna Cum Laude

Aubrey Gorman – A+ Scholarship, Gina McKinney Scholarship (School at Large) (Interest from Trust), Justin Dixon Memorial Scholarship $250, Cum Laude

Kadyn Hall – A+ Scholarship, Licking Booster Club Scholarship $250, Licking United Community Help Center Scholarship $1,000, Licking Memorial Post 6337 VFW Scholarship $1,500, Steve Denbow Memorial Scholarship $300, Magna Cum Laude

Christian Hawn – A+ Scholarship, Licking Memorial Post 6337 VFW Scholarship $500, Quail Forever Piney River Covey of Texas County Scholarship $1,000, Bob Green Memorial Scholarship $500, Steve Denbow Memorial Scholarship $300, Licking Alumni Scholarship $500, Lucas D Jones Memorial Scholarship $500, George Washington Carver Award, Summa Cum Laude

Brady Hebblethwaite – A+ Scholarship, Magna Cum Laude

Allie Hock – A+ Scholarship

Dawn Humphrey – A+ Scholarship

Kinley Keaton – A+ Scholarship, Lisa Henry Memorial Scholarship $500, Chilton Oil Company Scholarship $1,500, Colton Ogden Memorial Scholarship $1,000, Dent County Farm Bureau Scholarship $1,500, Texas County Farm Bureau Scholarship Runner-Up $300, George Washington Carver Award, Summa Cum Laude

Paige Kilby – A+ Scholarship, Gina McKinney Scholarship UMKC $2,000, Paul Morrison Music Scholarship $250

Kameryn Lane – A+ Scholarship, Lindenwood University Merit Award $8,000 (Renewable), MFA Foundation Scholarship $2,500, Steve Denbow Memorial Scholarship $300, Cum Laude

Logan Lane – A+ Scholarship, D. Wyatt Scholarship, Rolla Technical Institute Joe Luebbert Outstanding Student for Collision Repair $100, Licking Memorial Post 6337 VFW Scholarship $2,000, Licking Booster Club Scholarship $250, Missouri Welding Institute Scholarship $1,000, Justin Dixon Memorial Scholarship $250

Jordan Lay – A+ Scholarship

Cole McCloy – A+ Scholarship, Luke Holland Scholarship $1,000, Magna Cum Laude

Allie Medlock – A+ Scholarship, Licking Memorial Post 6337 VFW Scholarship $500, Bonnie Carter Memorial Scholarship $500, Steve Denbow Memorial Scholarship $500, Magna Cum Laude

Kacey Medlock – A+ Scholarship, Licking Memorial Post 6337 VFW Scholarship $1,000, Licking United Community Help Center Scholarship $1,000, Eden Bisker Memorial Scholarship $300, Magna Cum Laude

David Buckley Miller – Magna Cum Laude

Tim Norris – A+ Scholarship, Jimmy Gobble Scholarship $250, LHS Science Club Scholarship $250, George Washington Carver Award, Summa Cum Laude

Nicole Paolella – A+ Scholarship, Licking Booster Club Scholarship $250, Magna Cum Laude

Lillie Pursifull – Magna Cum Laude

Chris Radford – A+ Scholarship, Cum Laude

Jordan Ritz – A+ Scholarship, Licking Memorial Post 6337 VFW Scholarship $500

Titus Scavone – A+ Scholarship, Earl Haggard Scholarship $500

Alex Sprouse – A+ Scholarship

Logan Stines – Missouri Welding Institute Scholarship $1,000

Roston Stockard – A+ Scholarship, Dale Stanley Memorial Athletic Scholarship $1,000, Cum Laude

Carter Sullins – A+ Scholarship, Steve Denbow Memorial Scholarship $300, Justin Dixon Memorial Scholarship $250, Cum Laude

Ashlee Umfleet – A+ Scholarship, Coy L. Rodgers Scholarship

Linzie Wallace – A+ Scholarship, Licking Memorial Post 6337 VFW Scholarship $500, Licking United Community Help Center Scholarship $1,000, Licking Alumni Scholarship $500, George Washington Carver Award, Summa Cum Laude

Josie Wells – A+ Scholarship, Housden Family Scholarship, Steve Denbow Memorial Scholarship $500, Magna Cum Laude

Kara Williams – A+ Scholarship, Cum Laude

 

 

 

 

 

 

All slide show photos by Shari Harris