The Pony Express, Vol. III, Issue 06 (May 2020)

The Pony Express www.chhsponyexpress.com

SPECIAL GRADUATION ISSUE Pomp and Circumstance

Page 2 Senior Awards

Page 3

Senior Composite Page 4-5

Dear Corona Page 6-7

What’s after

high school?

Page 8

Senior Issue 2020 Volume 3, Issue 6

Center Hill High School, 13250 Kirk Road, Olive Branch MS 38654

Pomp and Circumstance Seniors graduate in socially distant ceremonies

Photo by Lily Dawson The Top 10 members of the Class of 2020 stand six feet apart in compliance with CDC guidelines at their graduation ceremony June 9.

I

By Lily Dawson Staff Writer

n the wake of Tropical Storm Cristobal, the Top 10 members of the CHHS Class of 2020 received their diplomas June 9. The 10 a.m. ceremony was the first of 23 commencement exercises held under CDC guidelines because of COVID-19, meaning a limited number of people could be in the building for each graduation. “A local pandemic, a tropical storm, nothing can stop this class,�

Principal Doug Payne told seniors and their families in the gym, where they watched a slideshow and had their pictures taken before walking to the PAC for the ceremony. “As you can see, this graduation is unique, like no other

“What I see looking back is the Class of 2020 strong.�

Principal Doug Payne at Center Hill.�

CHHS’s graduation ceremony was originally scheduled for May 23 at the Landers Center. After all Mississippi school buildings were closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year to slow the spread of the coronavirus, senior class officer Kennedi Evans had hoped to still have a traditional graduation ceremony later in the summer.

She changed her mind because some of her friends are going into the military and would not

Photo by Lily Dawson Surrounded by his family, Dru Hines prepares to have graduation pictures taken by a Holland Studio photographer. Hines graduated with special distinction June 9 in the first of 23 commencement ceremonies in the school’s PAC. Graduation was supposed to be May 23 at the Landers Center.

be available for a postponed ceremony. “I think it’s better to do it now because I know a couple of people who are going into the National Guard and I want everybody to be able to participate,� she said.

Evans addressed her fellow graduates, along with salutatorian

Destiny Pettis, valedictorian William Gibson, and DeSoto County Schools Superintendent Cory Uselton.

Uselton told the seniors they have so much to be proud of. “Focus on the positives and not let any day go to waste,� he said. “God bless and go Mustangs!�

Photo by Lily Dawson Salutatorian Destiny Pettis wipes away tears during her graduation speech. Pettis’s overall average was 100.6.

Photo by Lily Dawson Valedictorian William Gibson smiles as his father takes his picture before graduation. Gibson had an overall average of 101.55.

The Mustang Creed

Top 20

As a Mustang, I know I belong to a special breed.

I will be courteous to all, and give help to those in need.

I will be sure to keep my thoughts only to the best, Keeping in mind my values, not following the rest.

Within my own wisdom, is opportunity, And in my own thoughts and actions I control my destiny.

So with these thoughts in mind, My values and beliefs deep inside, I’ll never forget who I am, Or to show my Mustang pride.

2 The Pony Express

1. William Gibson 2. Destiny Pettis 3. Wyatt Edwards 4. Kennedi Evans 5. David DuVall 6. Dru Hines 7. Emma Freeze 8. Carley Childress 9. Caroline Lambert 10. Shelby Bailey

11. Makenna Tyge 12. Max Lankford 13. Alexandria White 14. Anna Jernigan 15. Christa Brewster 16. Maggie Gaines 17. Bryan Mendoza 18. Nada Herzallah 19. Miah Bishop 20. Ethan Ratcliff

At the end of the ceremony before the first group of graduates threw their caps in the air, Payne acknowledged the many roles the students had to take on because of the pandemic, including babysitting younger siblings, cooking for family, being therapists to friends in need, and perfecting their TikTok dances. “What I see looking back is the Class of 2020 strong,� he said.

The rest of the socially distant ceremonies were from 4-8 p.m.

June 9 and again June 11. In all, there are 244 seniors in the CHHS Class of 2020.

Danielle Brown, 11th- and 12th-grade counselor, said 10 seniors opted out of a graduation ceremony for various reasons, including vacation, military service or for their own safety.

đ&#x;Ž“

Virtual graduation DVDs are $28.50 each and are available for download at btsvirtualevents.com.

If you missed the virtual senior awards program, you can still watch it on Mustang Tv’s YouTube channel.

ON THE COVER •Photo of Kennedi Evans

by Lily Dawson •Design by Sarah Claire Miller

Senior Awards

The Pony Express

Students honored in virtual ceremony

The Pony Express student newspaper is a club that is supplemented by members of the Foundations of Journalism class at Center Hill High School.

Co-editors Paige Brick, Class of 2020 and Nadia Sumlar, Class of 2020 Features Editor Kaitlin Moore, Class of 2020 Business Manager Nada Herzallah, Class of 2020 Contributing Staff for Issue 6 Print: Lily Dawson, Sarah Claire Miller Advisers Ginny Shikle and Michelle Jones

Photo by Roben Nobles/CHHS Yearbook Members of the Hall of Fame for 2019-2020 are, front row from left, Max Lankford, Duncan Van, David DuVall, Kyle White and Wyatt Edwards. Back row from left are Ava Hogan, Kennedi Evans, William Gibson, Ashley Halford and Molly Painter.

From Staff Reports The Pony Express

T

he senior awards program, originally scheduled for April 28, was replaced with a virtual program that was posted to the school’s website May 5.

“Everybody here misses you so much,” Principal Doug Payne said in the video.We don’t want you to be the Class of COVID-19, the Class of the Coronavirus. We want you to be remembered for the great things you did.”

Awards included: • Kennedi Evans and David DuVall won the Lindy Callahan Sports Award.

• 33 Mississippi Scholars were named.

• 18 seniors were recognized for a composite ACT score of 30 or higher.

• Wyatt Edwards and

William Gibson were honored as National Merit Finalists and STAR Students. Edwards named Alisha Green as his STAR Teacher; Michelle Jones was Gibson’s STAR Teacher.

• 50 seniors were named Graduates of Distinction.

• 43 seniors were recognized as Graduates of Special Distinction.

• Conner Hays and Zeniah Churchman received the George Akers Award.

• Hall of Fame recipients were Kennedi Evans, Max Lankford, Molly Painter, David DuVall, Wyatt Edwards, Ava Hogan, Duncan Van, Kyle White, Ashley Halford and William Gibson.

• David DuVall was named Mr. CHHS and

Photo by Roben Nobles/CHHS Yearbook David DuVall and Kennedi Evans are this year’s Mr. and Miss CHHS.

Kennedi Evans was named Miss CHHS. They were chosen by the faculty as students who

exemplify the highest standard of academic involvement, citizenship and conduct.

The mission of The Pony Express is to provide quality, thought-provoking student produced publications focused on the events and issues that affect the Center Hill High School community.

As student writers, we try to reflect the thoughts of our most important readers – the students of Center Hill.

Because of this, we attempt to approach many issues, some more controversial than others. The newspaper staff hopes to inform, to educate, to entertain and to question for the betterment of Center Hill, its students and faculty.

Editorial Policy The editorial section of The Pony Express, including editorial cartoons, serves as a forum for well-written, thoughtful, longer forms of expression.

Signed editorials represent the opinions of the author.

Unsigned editorials reflect the consensus of The Pony Express staff. Views printed herein are meant to be opinionated and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the student body, faculty, administration or school district.

Letters to the Editor Policy Readers are encouraged to voice their opinions in the Opinion section for the expression of varying viewpoints on relevant topics. The Pony Express will print as many letters as space allows.

Letters must include the author’s name, signature, and class or position relative to the letter. Typed or legible, hand-written letters are acceptable, but should not exceed 200 words. The Pony Express will edit all letters for accuracy, spelling and grammar. We reserve the right to refuse to print any letter. Submit questions, comments or letters to the editor to ponyexpresschhs@gmail.com or 13250 Kirk Road, Olive Branch, MS 38654.

Advertising Policy The Pony Express will not accept any advertising that deems to be: factually inaccurate; designed to mislead, deceive or defraud; containing malicious, vindictive or unsubstantiated attacks; offering goods and/or services illegal for teenagers to possess, buy or use; libelous; obscene; creating imminent danger or disruption to school. The Pony Express reserves the right to refuse any advertising, solicited or unsolicited.

Advertisements do not necessarily reflect the views or endorsements of The Pony Express staff, student body, faculty, administration or school board. To advertise, contact Ginny Shikle at ginny.shikle@dcsms.org.

Member Organizations The Pony Express is a member of the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association.

Our publication was named Most Improved High School Newspaper by MSPA for 2017-2018, and in 2018-2019 The Pony Express was a finalist for Mississippi’s High School Newspaper of the Year.

The Pony Express 3

A Salute to the Cynthia Bobo

Danielle Brown

Senior Sponsor

Jamarius Allen

Laila Armstrong

Tyler Atkins

Shelby Bailey

Caleb Bass

Zackery Beaver

Miah Bishop

Tessa Bolton

Tieraney Bolton

Nakayla Broach

Amiya Brooks

Tyler Brooks

Amiah Brown

Jared Carlile

Carley Childress

Zeniah Churchman

Dylan Ciarloni

Sherice Clark

Cole Harris

Toni Coleman

Senior Sponsor

Brenda Case

Devra Hampton

Senior Sponsor

Senior Sponsor

Assistant Principal

Senior Sponsor

Mikaila Coleman

Paige Heath

Senior Class Officer

Kennedi Evans

Senior Class Officer

Colleen Cotton

Laine Crabb

Lunden Crews

Omaria Crutchfield

Alexandria Daniel

Makiyah Davis

Rachel Davis

Katherine Fuentes

Maggie Gaines

Madison Gawarecki

William Gibson

Gabriel Gipson

Makarius Gipson

Mary Kate Gober

Jeremy Guy

Eli Haberstroh

Ashley Halford

Jamia Hall

Kara Haney

Jacquez Hardin

Devin Harris

Conner Hays

Laura Iluobe

Javeon Isom

Ashley Jenkins

Zachary Jenkins

Pierre Jenkins

Anna Jernigan

Breanne Jimenez

Macy Jimmerson

Faith Johnson

Trinity Johnson

Jonathan Jolley

Tyra Jones

Joshua Kinkade

DaMias Kinkle

Elijah Lakes

Bryan Mendoza

Jazmin Meza

Travarus Milam

Zalandrea Milan

Jacob Miles

Carly Miller

Joey Miron

James Mitchell

Adelynn Moore

Kaitlin Moore

Braxton Morris

Renarda Murrell

Brooke Neal

Adrian Olivares

Jose’ Olvera

Michael Ragsdale

Ethan Ratcliff

Jared Rayo

Corbin Reed

Spencer Reynolds

James Richardson

Demorris Roby

Logan Ross

Chris Rowley

Christian Ruiz

Taylor Saunders

Alec Schmidt

Cameron Scott

Ja’Kayla Scott

Serenity Scott

Victoria Tate

Ashton Taylor

Torrean Taylor

Zakhia Taylor

Mia TenEyck

Jamiah Thomas

Nevin Thomason

Jabari Thompson

Jada Totten

Tayler Turner

Makenna Tyge

Diego Valenzuela

Duncan Van

Brand Walke

Not Pictured: Nace Adkins, Samone Berry, Carter B Starliyah Fentress, Cristian Flores, Arianna Foster, K Charles Hutchison, Aaliyah Jones, William Jones, Ca Payne, Jeffry Rodriguez, Ronnie Sanchez, Katherine

4 The Pony Express

e Class of 2020 Sharon Reed

Doug Payne

Charletta Hutchins

Zack Sims

Assistant Principal

Principal

Roben Nobles

Senior Sponsor

Assistant Principal

Jacqueline Wooten

Senior Sponsor

Senior Sponsor

Le’Undria Austin

Chelsee Ayers

Katyierney Bagley

Domonique Belle

Colson Bermudez

Luke Betts

Trinity Bond

Christa Brewster

Paige Brick

Matthew Browning

Lauryn Bulloch

Chelsey Burrows

Toniya Caradine

Cailey Coletta

Matthew Collins

Trinise Collins

Cameron Cook

Johnathon Cook

Carly Corzine

Hannah Day

Chapman Droke

David DuVall

Wyatt Edwards

Mario Franklin

Emma Freeze

Ava Hogan

Josie House

Shania Howard

John Huggins

Drew Hutchins

Lauryn Leasure

Senior Class Officer

Molly Painter

Senior Class Officer

Sadie Davis

Kyle Heath

Maurionna Henderson

Sarah Hennan

Erika Hernandez

Alexis Hernandez

Caroline Lambert

Max Lankford

Alyson Laughter

Sydney Lee

Gus Lockett

Chloe Orsburn

Brent Parra

Megan Patterson

Dwayne Patton

Spencer Shannon

Adam Sharhan

Kristien Shepherd

Javarrius Shipp

don er

Lydia Walker

Randesha Walker

Chase Warren

Brown, Veronica Corral, Tali Delgado, Isaiah Dodson, Mason Echols, Kristoff Gordon, Michael Greene-Owens, Joseph Guy, Jamal Honer, ameron Lankford , Kenya Moody, Roderick Moorehead, Terry Szekely, Elijah York, Luis Zarate

Destiny Hobbs

Zyla Hill

Dru Hines

Sara Hissong

Samantha Lockyer

Aidan Logan

Madison Lovett

Joshua Manues

Hayden Marascuilo

Danielle Martin

Ann Marie Mason

Genesis Mays

Amy McCormick

Dionna McGluen

Decorian Payton

Xavier Pearson

Bailey Perkins

Destiny Pettis

Gerald Pfeffer

Jonas Pilcher

Jordan Plunk

Joshua Polk

Brandon Powell

James Price

Tyler Puckett

Jaden Simpson

DeNeil Smalley

Hart Smith

Caleb Smith

Desiree Smith

Hannah Stagoski

Trey Stuard

Hannah Sullivan

Nathan Sum

Nadia Sumlar

Sarah Taber

Megan Weigel

Nada Herzallah

Alex Welch

Alexandria White

Kyle White

Camron Wicks

Hunter Williams

Taylor Williams

TeAunna Williams

Lawrence Wooten

Cade Yohe

Senior Composite used with permission of Holland Studio

The Pony Express 5

Dear Corona Laila Armstrong Dear Corona, You took away something that I will never get back, my senior year. I have been playing softball for Center Hill since I was in the eighth grade and when I finally get to my senior year, I have barely played half of my senior season. Senior year is full of a list of “lasts.” Last first day of school, last football game, last pep rally, last home game, last time walking in the halls, senior banquet, etc. and I never got to experience some of those because of you! Now I won’t be able to see my brother in the hallway, stand at break with my friends, or crack jokes at the lunch table one last time.

I also won’t be able to go to the locker room with my teammates and talk about how exhausted we are after a hard day of practice. I made most of my high school memories with my team and I am very thankful for that.

April 16, 2020 was supposed to be my senior night but instead I am in the house trying to not come in contact with you. I have been looking forward

to my senior night since I first started playing at school.

Little did I know that March 5, 2020 would be my senior night. On that day, I played my last softball game for Center Hill against Olive Branch. Fortunately, that was one of the best games I have played during high school. I went five for five at the plate with four RBI’s and I also made a diving catch. My teammates and I were all in it together and we ended up run ruling Olive Branch. My heart goes towards the unsigned seniors who were looking towards their senior year hoping to find a scholarship.

Corona, you also took away my senior prom. Prom is the highlight of every year, next to graduation.

Luckily, I went to prom my junior year and had an amazing time. If I would have known that you would take all of those away from me, I would have savored the moment knowing that I won’t be coming back. Senior year is something every high schooler looks forward to.

Zakhia Taylor Dear Corona, Wow, I don’t even know where to begin. You have ruined so many things for so many people. You’ve had such a huge impact on so many lives.

Senior year is a special moment filled with memories that’ll last you a lifetime. We won’t get to experience anything! Senior field day…GONE… Senior awards night…GONE and Senior prom…GONE! The highlight of our high school career drifted away from us. Not only have you affected high school students but you’ve greatly affected college students. Special moments have been ripped away from people all over the world. You’ve affected graduations, sporting events and the economy.

I know they say everything happens for a reason but this is something I wished never happened. Don’t get me wrong, you’ve had a SMALL positive impact on my life. I have gotten closer with my nephew and I’ve been working out a lot in my spare time. Even though most of what you caused has had a negative impact, I have to point out the positives. The negatives will only weigh you down.

No matter how difficult this situation has become, positivity has to be a key essential in your temporary new life.

Millions of people have been affected by this. You’ve taken loved ones away and you’ve forced people to change the way they think about everything. Sometimes I think about the time when you’re gone and I can start living my best life. Corona, you ruined so many plans! I had trips planned that I can’t even go on because you wanted to come and ruin everything.

You have turned my house into Fort Knox. If I leave the house for .2 6 The Pony Express

Dylan Ciarloni

Photo courtesy of Laila Armstrong Laila Armstrong’s senior softball season was cut short by the coronavirus. Her last game was March 5 against Olive Branch.

To the upcoming seniors, I hope that you never take some of these things for granted because you may never get it back. I can’t wait for you to go away so that everything can go

back to the way it was!

Sincerely, a broken-hearted senior, Laila Armstrong

ABOUT THIS PROJECT When Gov. Tate Reeves announced in April that all Mississippi school buildings would be closed for the remainder of the year to slow the spread of COVID-19, The Pony Express contacted seniors and asked them to write about their feelings and reactions. Their Dear Corona letters were published on chhsponyexpress.com, and some of them are reprinted here. The project was designed by Sarah Claire Miller.

Javarrius Shipp Photo used with permission of Holland Studio The coronavirus ruined the traditions of senior year for Zakhia Taylor.

seconds, I have to take all my clothes off at the door, I get sprayed with Lysol and I have to wipe my shoes down with Clorox wipes. Did I mention that I can’t get my nails done! My Chick-fil-A runs turned into once a week. I’m used to making a Chick-fil-A run almost 5 days out of the week… I AM NOT OKAY! Corona, do you remember that scene out of “Mean Girls” when Gretchen Wieners had to stand up and read what she wrote about Caesar?

THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I FEEL TOWARDS YOU! My life has become filled with nothing. My joy came from school and making memories with my friends that I’ve known for 13 years… but you ripped that away from me. I hope you’re happy.

Sincerely, Zakhia Taylor Class of 2020

Dear Corona, I could write a book about all the things that you’ve stole from. School, my life, my prom, everything. You came around in the worst time of year because this year was suppose to be the year that my life finally unfolds and I get to do the one thing I have been going to school for my whole life, which is to graduate. I’ve never been so upset about anything ever in my life but for it to happen like this is just depressing.

In the beginning, you were just a topic in school. Nobody was worried. Everything was a-okay.

But, as time went you became a bigger problem, a threat even, to the whole world. You started spreading and killing people and it made the whole world close up and everything in it.

I never would’ve thought that March would be my last month of high school. It is definitely a huge challenge to deal with and to face, especially cause you never know when this pandemic is going to end.

Life is not as fun anymore because everybody is “social distancing” or at least practicing it.

If I were to list the top 5 things to

ever happen to me in my life, this would more than likely be #1. This just goes to show that you’ve got to expect the unexpected, even if it is the worst thing to ever happen to you. That’s life though. It isn’t fair at all so you’ve just got to take the good with the bad and roll with it.

With that being said, being on this whole pandemic lockdown and social distancing thing has brought me a lot closer to my loved ones.

I’ve built a lot closer bonds with family I use to didn’t even have time for and I’m loving. The whole social distancing has showed me who my real friends are and who were there just for the time being.

It’s not all that bad cause I don’t really go anywhere anyway, so it’s all good. Another reason is that I am finally catching up on a lot of sleep that I didn’t really get when I was in school. Being positive through the whole thing and taking it one day at a time is what is really getting me through.

Hopefully I get to see all my classmates at grad because it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for.

Sincerely, Javarrius Shipp

Dear Corona Virus, My senior year at Center Hill High School was ripped from me. As I left for Spring Break I was thinking I have a week of fun and no school. But NO, you took that from us, not only seniors but from everyone. You have caused isolation over several countries and have left the population to crumble. Now, the Class of 2020 has a huge question for you. Why? You took so many special events away from us, my last season to step out onto the field and play baseball with all of the guys I have grown up with, walking through the elementary school and high fiving all the kids just to see their little smiles on their faces.

You’ve also taken a big part of the end of our senior year, PROM, and possibly our chance to walk across the stage and graduate after 13 long years that we worked so hard to earn.

You made everything close down that involves social interaction and quarantine is making everyone go crazy. You had to do it this year and ruin everything.

The Class of 2020 were born in the wake of 9-11 and our senior year ends with you.

Us seniors are very upset that we don’t get to walk down the halls anymore with our friends and cut up laughing one last time. We won’t even get to see our favorite teachers and say goodbye.

Some things you have done that are not half bad is bringing families together by making us stay quarantined in the house. We’ve played card games to cure boredom, played video games with siblings and online with our best friends is only bringing us closer as a family and that’s the only good thing that came out of this. We’ve dreamt about going on our senior trips like cruises but no, you canceled it. We can’t even go into dine in restaurants right now because of you. You really ruined everything for us seniors.

I hope and pray someone real soon finds a cure for you so we can all get back outside and enjoy the rest of our lives.

Dylan Ciarloni Class of 2020

Photo courtesy of Dylan Ciarloni Dylan Ciarloni poses in his graduation gown for his senior pictures at Holland Studio.

Dear Corona Danielle Brown, Junior/Senior Counselor Dear Corona, As I sit here, writing this letter, I’m not really sure what I feel. We got the news earlier this week that you had officially ruined the end of the school year. You would be keeping us from going back to the place we love and call home. I’ve tried to work through what this means for me, as an adult, and the grief that I feel because of what you have taken from me. In thinking about all of this, I inevitably come back to my seniors and all that they have lost.

The fourth nine weeks, for me, is all about the seniors. I have to mentally prepare and rest up during Spring Break – the days are jam-packed and everything is a blur until the hats are thrown at graduation. But I absolutely love it. I love getting to acknowledge them at awards night. I love sharing a meal with them at senior breakfast and seeing how far they will go without a dress code :) I love watching

almost full-grown adults act like kids on field day as they smear shaving cream in each other’s face. I love seeing the pride on their faces as they walk through the elementary school with hundreds of kids cheering for “the big kids.” I love seeing their elementary teachers embrace and congratulate them for a job well done.

I even love the battle of getting them to walk in sync with their partner at graduation practice. And I love seeing the one that fought for every class and overcame all the obstacles finally receive their diploma. I guess you could say the month of May is a big part of why I stay in education.

But this year, the last nine weeks will be spent at home with my family as the world shelters in place from you, Corona. I won’t get to rush around making sure everything is perfect for awards night. Or battle the post-field day sunburn. I won’t get to straighten hats and adjust stoles for

students before they cross the stage.

I won’t get to see our senior parents beam with pride as their student’s name is called. As hard as this is for me, I have done this before and will have the opportunity to do it again but the Class of 2020 won’t get a do-over. The last nine weeks and all it holds is forever lost.

Corona, you have ruined so much for this class but you do not define them or their time at Center Hill High School. You can’t take away the numerous state championships, the beautiful music made by our band and choir, or the academic success of these students. You definitely cannot take away the laughs and the relationships that were made, or the mark they have left on our school. And you will never take away the impact they had on me.

Sincerely, Mrs. Brown

Photo by Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS via the Public Health Image Library at CDC This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses.

To You From Your Teachers Dear Class of 2020, I am proud of each of you!

Be kind and do good always!

Love, Mrs. Denham Congratulations, Mikaila and Tayler & the entire 2020 class!

Wishing you the best in your next “match” of life.

We will miss you, Coach Arvin and the CHHS Tennis Team To: Danielle Martin and Molly Painter From: Mrs. Pilcher, Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Peden Thank you so much for all that you did for FCCLA! We are looking forward to hearing all about your continued success!

To: Jonas Pilcher From: Mom Congratulations! I could not be more proud of you! I love you!

To: Class of 2020 From: Mrs. Pilcher Congratulations! I am so proud of you! Take pride in how far you have come and have faith in how far you can go.

To: Chorus Seniors From: Mrs. Feazell I will miss you! Thank you for your contributions to the choir program.

To: The Class of 2020 From: Mrs. Wooten Wishing you Godspeed; You’re the best!

To: The Class of 2020 From: Mrs. Lantrip Congratulations! I wish you the absolute best in your future.

Remember to love one another always and be kind. Work hard and all your dreams will come true!

To: Ethan Ratcliff From: Mrs. Lantrip I am so proud of you and I hope you have a great 4 years at Memphis!

It was so great teaching you this year. Come back and show me your accomplishments. You are going to do awesome things! Take care.

To: Class of 2020 From: Mrs. Shikle I know your senior year didn’t end the way you planned, but you persevered and now the time has come to make your mark in the world.

To: Paige Brick and Nadia Sumlar We are proud of the outstanding service you provided as co-editors of The Pony Express this year!

Love, Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Shikle To: 2020 Soccer Seniors From: Coach Yeoman and Coach Lashlee We have enjoyed watching you all play your senior year and accomplish your goal of bringing a state title back to “The Hill.” We are extremely proud of you all. We wish you all the best in all of your endeavors.

To the Archery Class of 2020: Always remember, in the game of life, the next arrow counts more than the last! Congratulations and we love you!

- Mrs. Terry and Mrs. White To: William Gibson, Science Club president and Bryan Mendoza, Science Club vice president From: Dr. Whitaker I appreciate your help, hard work, ideas and commitments in the Science Club; and for propelling the Science Club into the additional Stem subGroup. William, thank you for your excellent Excel attendance and recycling sheets.

To: Class of 2020 From: Dr. Whitaker I have enjoyed teaching you chemistry and/or physical science and for some, being your Science Club sponsor. Best wishes to you all.

Best wishes to the fabulous members of inkstained: Nada, Nadia and Paige.

You will be missed!

Love, Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Shikle Congratulations to the Book Club seniors. Thank you for your support.

Keep on reading.

Mrs. Jones You did it! Congratulations, Ultimate Frisbee seniors.

Mrs. Jones Warmest congratulations on your graduation PSAT babies! You will always have a special place in my heart.

Mrs. Jones Congrats to seniors of the Photo Club, Writing Club and Graphic Arts Club.

Life has many more wonderful things in store for you!

Best wishes, Mrs. Jones

To my CHDT girls of 2020, Do y’all know how to write one for the books or what?! From your freshman year to graduation, you have been setting new standards and making history with our program! You were leaders LONG BEFORE your senior year, and I can’t wait to watch as you continue to make your mark on this world. I will miss you dearly! #BCFL LUD, Mrs. Matthews To: CHHS Class of 2020 From: Mrs. Wilder You are a part of a special group. As you reflect on the past and dream about the future, think on this: John 16:33. Congratulations!

To the Senior Class: I’ve been in the school with many of you since your sixth grade year. I’m blessed to have watched you grow and mature. I know that each of you has a place and will make an impact on our world.

- Mrs. White.

Zalandrea Milan, what a proud moment. I couldn’t be happier for you.

Best wishes, Mrs. Jones

To: Class of 2020 From: Mrs. Jacquet Congratulations! I am so excited to see the difference you all will go out and make in the world! I encourage you to “keep moving forward, opening up new doors, and doing new things.”

(Walt Disney)

To my Powerlifting Seniors, I am proud of the way you guys competed this season, and even qualified for state. I hate that your season was cut short, but I know God has big plans for you guys in the future. I wish you the best in your future endeavors, and congratulations on your academic achievements and graduating.

- Coach Clark

To my Senior Cheerleaders, I am so proud of each of you and the accomplishments you have achieved thus far. Thank you for all that you have done over the years for our sport at Center Hill High School.

Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes as you begin this next chapter. The best is yet to come!

Love you all, Mrs. Smith

Senior Lady Mustangs, Though I wish I could have been with you for all four years of high school, I’m proud of the way you’ve grown and matured both as players and as people these last two years. I hope you remember all the lessons you’ve learned on the court and that they help you in your next phase of life.

I’m excited to see what you choose to do, and I wish you all the best.

Congratulations on your graduation.

- Coach Owens To: Class of 2020 From: Ms. A. Smith Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes on your next adventure!

Kyle White, keep being you.

Love you, Mom and Dad To: Sarah Hennan, Ava Hogan and Max Lankford From: Mrs. Burgess I miss you and can’t wait to see what the future holds!

To: Class of 2020 From: Mrs. Coleman To all my seniors who I taught this year, either in person or virtually, I wish you all the best as you begin your individual journeys! Please remember to be good citizens, to be informed, involved, and open to learn from others!

Congratulations to the Class of 2020.

Good luck in the future and go be great. Coach Green loves you.

To: The Class of 2020 From: Mrs. Peden Seniors, I wish you the best of everything in life. Congratulations!

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8 The Pony Express