High School Graduation 2023

GRADUATION

Popular Graduation Traditions

Graduation is steeped in tradition. Come the day of graduation, many grads-to-be might be focusing on receiving their diplomas and then celebrating after the ceremony. The hard work students put in affords them every right to celebrate once they’re officially anointed as new grads, but before the party begins it can be fun to reflect on the many traditions associated with graduation ceremonies.

Cap and gown

Graduation ceremonies simply wouldn’t be the same without caps and gowns. The tradition is anything but new, as Columbia University notes caps and gowns have been linked to academia since the 12th century. Back then, students wore gowns and hoods to emulate the clergy who taught them, but also to stay warm. Many universities dressed their scholars in gowns from the 1700s onward. In 1786, one school, Brown University, even mandated that degree candidates be clad in flowing robes and caps at commencement ceremonies. Though educators and students may no longer wear caps and gowns when attending class or around campus, the tradition of doing so at commencement ceremonies has endured.

Tassel turning

The tradition of turning the tassel does not have the lengthy history of the cap and gown, dating back only decades rather than centuries. Graduates typically turn the tassels after everyone has received their degrees during the ceremony. The turn is symbolic of their transition from student to graduate. Tassels start on the right for high school students and college undergraduates and are then turned to the left, while recipients of master’s degrees and doctorates keep their tassels on the left throughout the commencement ceremonies.

Tossing caps in the air

The tossing of graduation caps in the air is believed to date back

more than 100 years. Prior to 1912, graduates of the United States Naval Academy had to serve as midshipmen for two years before they were commissioned as officers. As a result, they still needed their graduation caps. But beginning with the class of 1912, graduates were automatically commissioned as officers, so they no longer needed their hats. That led the graduates to throw them in the air, thus beginning one of the more fun and photo-worthy graduation traditions.

“Pomp and Circumstance”

This tradition marked by the playing of “Pomp and Circumstance” is rooted in the work of William Shakespeare, which makes it seem like a perfect fit for graduation ceremonies. Sir Edward Elgar composed “Pomp and Circumstance” in 1901 and the title for the song was inspired by a line in the bard’s “Othello.” Elgar received an honorary degree from Yale University in 1905, and during that ceremony “Pomp and Circumstance” was played. The song apparently made a strong impression, as it soon began to be played at various commencement ceremonies, a tradition that continues today.

HIGH SCHOOL

D

Dear Class of 2023 senior, Congratulations on your joyous achievement! Graduating from high school is a major life accomplishment. You should be proud! It is even more exciting if you see this as a step toward great successes in the years ahead. You are laying the foundation for a better life for you and your family and, by extension, for others you encounter. The entire Hartselle High School family joins me in celebrating your new beginning.

Your journey to this point may have seemed daunting as you coped with late night games or performances, homework, challenging exams and even a pandemic. Through it all, you remained faithful to your goal—a mark of your determination. Faculty and staff members within our district honor your achievement.

Today, you join Hartselle High School alumni who have entered the world with a sense of purpose in pursuit of careers, professions and education. You face a tough world and inevitable obstacles, but you are prepared to succeed and lead with excellence. I have every confidence that just as you have overcome numerous hurdles to be where you are now, you will make your way through the challenges of the day. I expect no less from you.

As you graduate, promise yourself that you will keep alive the finest values, that you will commit to truth and service, and that you will maintain a servant’s heart. I trust you will recognize that true greatness resides in sincere service to others. Remember, you can, and I expect that you will, make a positive difference in this world. Never forget to reach out and give back. Keep alive your love for your Alma Mater and the knowledge that you are now part of a great tradition.

I am proud to congratulate you as you complete this defining milestone. If I can ever help you in any way, please do not hesitate to visit or call.

Congratulations and God Bless, Brad Cooper,

Ed.D Principal

Alex Adams Jaxson Austin

Austin Borden

Owen Amazan

Jacob Bolding

Eliza Balch

Brody Boster

MacKenzie Barrier

Sarah Bowling

Ava Allen

Joshua Blankenship

Ryan Aymett

Keiana Borden

Elijah Arnold

Dominick Bonasinga

Sahvana Barber

Jacob Bowling

Marlee Beavers Shelby Braddock

Kristyn Bishop

Pictured from left to right, are Kooper Rooks, Callie Parker, Sophia Hampton, Emma Parker and Davis Routh. These seniors and their classmates will graduate from Hartselle High School May 22.

Photo by Mariann Parker

Ministerial Staff

Pastor: Bro. Walter Blackman

Minister to Students: Jeremy Mitchell

Minister of Missions: Charles Stone

1030 Main Street East Hartselle, Alabama 35640-0888

Phone: (256) 773-4157 Fax: (256) 773-4158

Website: ehbc.church

of 2023

Service Times

Sunday School 9:15 AM

Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 AM

Wednesday - AWANA (School Year) 6:00 PM

Monday - American Heritage Girls/Trail Life 6:00 PM

Wednesday Evening Bible Study 6:30 PM

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Terra Bragwell

Adeline Burney

Nicholas Brooks Savannah Buttleman

David Brown

Sydney Button Ashley Bryant Daniel Byrd Emma Buckley Kailey Carpenter

Tristan Carver George Cline Kennon Champlin Carter Coan

Olivia Cheek

Sawyer Conaster

Jadyn Chesser

Kylie Cornett Era Childers

Mackenzie Cottingham

Justin Crawford

Michael Davis Brsndon Crawley

William Davis

Andrew Crittenden

Gabriel Day Hudson Crow

Levi Denny Brayden Dauber

Emily Doshler

Logan Faulk Izayah Fletcher

Stanley Foster Braydon Galloway Slate Gargus

Arthur Gonella

Brandon Gonzalez Felip Gonzalez Linet Gonzalez Aida Goodwin

Laura Halverson

Owen Hammond

Sophia Hampton Haleigh Hardin Jakara Harrell

Dalton Green Dylan Green John Groover Aedyn Gwathney Alyson Halbrooks

Logan Dotson

Ryan Dunn

Matthew Dotson

Ashley Edgar

Caitlyn Doyle Reid Ellis Kayla Dozier

Ethan England Brantley Drake Darby Fagan

Grayson Howard Walker Hoyle

Adley Hubbard Ashlynn Huddleston

Benjamin Hughes

Katie Hodge

Jazmyn Holt

Harrison Hope Allie Hopper Travis Hopper

Carly Hewett Alison Hill

Kealeigh Hill Koltyn Hill Kalysta Hobbs

Jinger Heath Eve Heatherly Grant Hembree Keegan Hembree Olivia Henry

Thomas Hulsey

Emma Hunt Emily Ingouf Thomas Itsede jackson Jones

Shelby Jones Quincy Kattes Brody Kauffman Caden Kelly Ashley Kent

Kiah Key Blaze Kizale Meaghan Lacey Crawford Lang Jakob Lawrence

Zeke McHan

Jayla Milligan

Brayden McNeal

Addison Mills

Meridith Meza

Justin Mintzer Abby Middleton

William Missildine

Mariana Miller Coleman Mizell

Dillon Moore

Emma Mote Eli Moore Taryn Mullins

Abigail Morris Russell Murphy Rebecca Moss Gentry Nelson

Addison Mote Isaac Nicholson

Charles Treyce Oden

Johnathan Parker Avery Okowinski

Justin Patrick Connor Owens Makala Patrick Callie Parker Alyssa Patterson Emma Parker Chloe Peebles

Rachel Lawson Dylan Lewis Calvin Lindsey Maggie Lindsey Will Livingston

Caden Long Joshua Lopez

Erin Lucas Christopher Maddux

Isaac Martin Mamie Mathews

Janzen McBride Keller McCaghren

Nancorrow McClendon Elijah McDonald

John Tyler Peek

Caleb Pique Jada Pepper

Ben Pitman

Leslie Phillips

Andra Pleasant Sophia Phillips Margaret Praytor

Stella Phillips Jaiden Priest

Alyssa Putman

Darian Rice

Andrea Ramirez

Hannah Rice

Matthew Reed Nathan Richie Tyler Reichstetter

Michelle Rios Tony Reid Judson Roberts

Payton Roberts

Kooper Rooks

Joseph Robinson

Davis Routh Emma Roden Maghen Seagraves

Roberto Romero Marshall Sellers

Tamia Romero

Gabrielle Sharpley

Kennedy Sheats

Alexis Smith

Karleigh Shipley

Brantsen Smith

Andrew Simmons

Jack Smith

Lydia Simmons Lorlei Smith

Samantha Simmons Sophia Smitherman

Lily Sparkman

Parker Stewart Harrison Sparks

Glynnis Stout

Charles Spears

William Styles Jessica Staudt Joseph Suggs David Stephensen Bailey Tate

Cameron Taylor Eli Tidwell Nicholas Telepun

Ashton Toon Bryson Terry

Anna Trotter

Destiny Thompson Matthew Tucker Izen Thornton

Lillian Tummenillo

To Our 2023 Graduates

“I thank my God ever y time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your par tnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will car r y it on to completion until the day of Chr ist Jesus ”

Not pictured:

Ethan Turner Montgomery Waller Adriy Tymchenko

Elijah Wang

Nicholas Vaughn Aubrey Watkins Madeline Vines Reagan Watson

Jameyson Waits Sarah Watson

Maisie Waynick

Tristin Wisener

Breanna White

Tyde Witt

Isabella Wiggins Ryan Woodall

Elizabeth Williams Christopher Woods Parker Wilson Kaden Worley

Cay Wright Peyton Young

FALKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

Dear

Falkville

DHigh School

Class

of 2023,

It is such an honor to get to be a part of this important time in your lives. I have been blessed to serve as your principal in three different capacities. It seems like yesterday that I was able to first get to know all of you as third graders at Falkville Elementary. I can recall those teachers talking about what an awesome group the third grade class was and they were definitely right. I was able to rejoin you in 2018 as assistant principal here at FHS when you all were eighth graders. I couldn’t believe how much you had grown and changed and you weren’t nearly as cute as you were in the third grade. But now as seniors, you have grown into young men and women and are about to embrace the career world. Your class has had so many accomplishments and you are leaving a positive footprint here at FHS. I looked through the names of all the seniors to reflect as I wrote this letter, and one thing that came to mind was that more than half of your class had parents who graduated from Falkville High School. You are a part of something that makes Falkville the special place that it is. It was important enough to your parents for you to attend and be a part of the Falkville family and legacy. I hope that in the future, you play a role in keeping this place special - that you will continue to embrace the Falkville community and want to make it the best that it can be. Many of you in this class came from other schools and during your short time here, you made a positive difference and impact whether it was in athletics, academics or in one of our clubs - you strived to make the most of your opportunities. Some of you had to move away for reasons beyond your control, but were able to return and graduate with the class you started with. No matter how you got here, each one of you are important and special. You are already a success because you did what was needed to complete a major milestone in your lives. Thank you for being such a great class and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of it throughout my career.

Sincerely,

Shane Bryan Principal

Haylee Adamson Walter Blagburn

Kyleigh Bradford Jacob Brandl Phebe Brill

Caden Burnett Sean Butler Alexah Cagle Kaitlyn Carrington Alyssa Cook

Samuel Copeland Trinity Davis Ansley Donahoo

Carmen Duke Hailee Eaton

Hnathon Edmonds Braylon Evans

Alexis Ford Trey Fowler Hunter Franklin

Skylar Gandy Ambria Gentry Emily Guest Patience Hand Laci Hargrove

Jason Hart Kaileigh Hart Shea Holloway Victoria Jones Evan Klocek

Mary Lemmond Gracie McGhee

David Lockhart Austin Melson

Jordan Love

Sydney Milam

Jordyn Mason Kenyon Nappier

Carson McClellan Gavin Narmore

Hayden Naylor

Kinley Patterson

Lorenzo Ochoa

Kody Peebles

Kara Ohsner

Migel Pina

Trenton Orr Alyson Pyle

Mackenzie Parker

Lawson Reynolds

Alexis Roberts

Cody White

Lawson Tew

Joey Shedd

Bowden Williams

Ella Wallace

Kinzley Sheppard

Andrew Wilson

Liza Wallace

Tyler Smith

Seth Young

Isaiah Warnick

Wyatt Smithson

Alessia West

DANVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

DDear Class of 2023,

As you leave Danville High School, please know I have observed you grow, mature, and impact those around you. Of the many attributes you display on a daily basis, adaptability and perseverance have stood out to me the most. When times were difficult, you adapted to meet the changes, and you persevered when things became challenging. Whether you excel in the classroom, the agriculture department, career technical programs, on the court, or on the field, you have been presented with challenges and disappointment. However, instead of giving up or becoming complacent, you adapted and persevered.

The world will continue to change around you as you move forward in life, and inevitably, you will experience more disappointments and challenges. However, it is your reaction to these disappointments and challenges that will determine the outcome and define who you are. Therefore, it is my hope that you will take the tools of adaptability and perseverance that you have learned so well at Danville High School with you to find success in your future endeavors.

General Colin Powell, a retired four-star general in the United States Army and retired United States Secretary of State said, “There are no secrets to success. It is a result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”

Use these tools you have learned to live your best life. Use them to make a difference. Be prepared, work hard, and learn from your failures. You are ready for the life that exists beyond the walls of Danville High School.

It is now your time to impact the world. I look forward to your continued success.

Best wishes Class of 2023! Go Hawks!

Marty Chambers Principal

Skylar Block Shannon Boger Keiana Borden AdriAnna Boston

John Baker Jaegon Barnett Heidi Beltran Bryant Birdsell Tristan Bishop

Alyssa Brooks Allie Buckelew

Benjamin Capps Kevin Castillo-Soto Tanner Colburn

Kourtney Bray

Haleigh Cole Jude Davis

Aaliyah Douglas

Allie Eddy Lillie-Kate Eddy

Mallorie Ferguson Giselle Gallegos Vergara

Nathaniel Grissom

Madelynn Hanback Elisabeth Hand

Jeremy Johnson Makena Jones Ryan Lacy Avery Legg Hannah Legg

Jacob Lindsey Karsen Mccluskey Mallory Lindsey

William Mcnutt

Ever Lopez

Celeste Mendoza

Dominic Maples Logan Moody Alexis Martinez

Colton Moore

Anna Philpott

Aiden Nilsen

Emily Potkaj

Brookelyn Park

Kendall-Ann Pylant

Faith Parker Alexander Resurreccion

Victoria Patterson

Ashley Moore Andrew Scott

Gabriel Scott

Avery Solesbee

Gabriel Shields

Carlos Soto

Wheeler Sims

Jacob Stephenson

Zachary Sledge

Brady Sutton

Joseph Smith

Arlie Tanner

Thomas Taylor

Jeremy Vaughn Sallie Terry

Hilda Veracruz

Hanah Tillman

James Vest Preslie Tinker Kerra Vest

Brandon Tucker Sheazade Walfi

Alyssa Weatherby

Kayleigh Wydner

Jazmine Weaver Larsyn West Jalen Whisenant

Alison Wiley

BREWER HIGH SCHOOL

DDear Senior Class of 2023, Congratulations on this huge accomplishment! Graduating from high school is a major life accomplishment and you should be very proud! This is your stepping-stone to the next phase of your life and I know you will do great things. Your hard work, dedication and determination have laid the groundwork for a successful and bright future for you, your family and those you encounter. The Brewer High School family celebrates you.

Your tireless enthusiasm has been the backbone in getting Brewer High School “back to normal” after the many challenges of the previous school years. You have remained steadfast in your goal of graduating from Brewer High School and now are seeing the realization of that goal.

I look forward to the future and watching you achieve your dreams. You will face many obstacles through your journey, but always remember your foundation is strong. If you have the confidence to overcome, you will make it through to the other side. Focus on the positives and keep your eyes forward on your goals. We envision nothing short of greatness from you.

Dr. Seuss said “Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened.” You guys are the 50th graduating class of A.P. Brewer High School. You are historic and have a special place in Brewer High School history. Be proud of that fact and celebrate your accomplishments.

I am proud of you all. If there is anything I can ever do for you, do not hesitate to contact me.

Congratulations and God Bless,

Kevin Serrett Principal Brewer High School

Blakelee Bennett

Elizabeth Adams Haeleigh Bermingham

Angel Altamirano Marcial

Sean Bohanan

Lucas Altman David Boles

Preston Bates

Auston Bradberry Jackson Bramlett Justin Brooks Krymson Brooks

Elijah Butler Chevy Cantrell Harley Champion Abigail Chappell

Kazmane Clark Garrett Clemons Nicholas Commiskey Owen Cooper

Ciara Cortes Brayden Couey

Rachel Cross Maritza Cuevas-Hernandez

Bronwyn Borden

Jackson Beem Carly Brown Caden Childers

Jasper Corder Andrew Dallas

Kade George

Joseph Harden Aliya Goodwin

Gaven Hardin

Megan Green Colton Hardy Kati Guerrero-Bernabe

Chloe Henson Kaleb Hall Dalianny Hernandez

Yasmine Herrera

Landon Hornbuckle Meadow Hodgin

Jaqueline Huante

Cynthia Holland

Madison Hughes Spencer Holley Carson Humphrey Kaitlyn Hopper Erin Hurlbutt

Austin Hutchens

Jacob Kent

Cadence Inabinett

Matthew Kent Caden Johnson

Connor Kinney

Emma Johnson

Alisha Knighten

Marlee Jones Kai-Lynn Land

Erin Landers

Alexis Lester Megan Large Reagan Lowery

Cheyenne Lecroy

Hensley Mahan

Lexus Ledbetter

Karlie Marcum

Brittney Leos

Emma Maxwell

Michael McCarthy Ryleigh Morelan Lila McCutcheon

Emma Morgan Victoria McElyea

Carrie Mosley Jacob Meade Jamee Mosley

Emily Montgomery Laney Nelson

Ryan Daugette

Cutter Eidson

Kelsey Davis Tyde Fairbanks

John Dickens Isabel Folds

Jasmine Duke Talan Franks Lauren Echols Beda Garcia

Kaileigh-Ann Norwood

Daniel Patterson Ezekiel Oaks Taylor Patton

Zane Orr

Devin Peck Jeremy Owen Lorenza Pedro-Pascual

Zachary Parker Noe Perez Calvo

Cristian Pesina Garcia

Mikaylah Reed Jadea Primeau

Hunter Russell Alana Puckett

Malachi Shadden Alyssa Puckett Lilly Shaffran

David Ratje Hagen Sharp

Faith Shiverdecker

Amber Sommer

Laura Shiverdecker

Raylee Speegle

Lukas Simpson

Morgan Spivey Cooper Smith Lucas Staggs

Tyler Smith

Angelina Stewart

Sebastian Stone Ryan Tucker Skylar Stutchman

Abbigail Tungate

Xavier Toney

Cody Walker Eric Torres

Ethan Wallace Lukas Trejo

Jessica Wallace

Jerry Walley

Kameran Wilson Alison Warren Presley Wimberly

Zachary Weaks

Zachary Woods

Jordan Webster Alexis York Hope West Hailey Youngblood

PRICEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

First row, left to right: Bailey Rea, Brallan Tacuba, Chandler Dawson, Lily-Grace Little, Zoey Benson

Second row, left to right: Robert Munive, Annabel Kennedy, Katie Beth Owen, Faith Burgess, Abigail Scott Third row, left to right: Brayden Warren, Joseph “Jojo” Garrison, Ty Parker, Katelyn Falciani, Zach Chaney

First row, left to right: Skylar Estes, Payten Stockwell, Isaac Sawyer, Riley Mills, Anna Catherine Clotfelter

Second row, left to right: Johnathan Velazquez, Xander Gaines, William Wallis, Ashlyn Bates Third row, left to right: Mason Cartee, Hayden Phillips, Ozzy Martinez Alvarez, Peyton Budisalich, Trista Skinner Fourth row, left to right: Cody Anderson, Mia Kidd, Lexie Lee, Jacie Johnson

Class of 2023

First row, left to right: Jaylee Allen, Bryant Stephens, Luke Bragwell, Thomas “TK” Kerby, Connor Dunaway

Second row, left to right: McKenna Griffith, Madeline Mooneyham, Madie Skinner, Clara Martin, Ella Johnson

Third row, left to right: Corbin Meares, Alexis Sanders, Abagale Hopper, Abbie Hawkins, Jacob Lawrence

First row, left to right: Jackson Prickett, Cole Lindeman, Triston Eubanks, Tyler Case Second row, left to right: Grace Parker, Brylie Galbreath, Destiny Villagomez, Kelsey Beaty, Hayden Howell

Third row, left to right: Jacob Sloan, Austin Arizpe, Ellie Young, Carson Hatfield, Falon Cooke Fourth row, left to right: Brodie Mattox, Takumi Schubbuck, Kevin Stringer, Alexander Bumpus

First row, left to right: Braeden Brown, Carter Stanford, Grant Holmes, Neri Patino Vizcaino

Second row, left to right: Matthew McMillin, Brian Manzanares, Tyler Bagwell, Brayden Burney, Blaxton Royster

Third row, left to right: Nick Childers, Aubrey Weddington, Zach Irvine, Briley Alexander, Haley Brown, Tavion Sparacino

First row, left to right: Makayla Janollari, Lauren Hames, Allie Denson, Bentley Black, Nathan Burleson

Second row, left to right: Alexis Watson, Makayla Fletcher, Jizela Gonzales, Kathrine Austin, Kirsten Segars, Tayton Mendoza

Third row, left to right: Sage Smothers, Larson Speegle, Adam Taylor, Michael Cherubino, Will Watson

First row, left to right: Katie Chittam, Rubi Salazar-Reza, Jake Langlois, Kaden Burns, Ashleigh Wood

Second row, left to right: Delainey Baker, Jaylen Moseley, Hazel Green, Taylor Dumas

Third row, left to right: Olivia Blankenship, Nick Bolton, Marco Marquez, Preston Wilson

Fourth row, left to right: Esmé Mendoza, Colton Fowler, Logan Gibson, Kevin Perez

Congratulations 2023 Falkville Graduates

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 NIV

As it is YOUR TIME to GRADUATE, hold on to your memories, while forging ahead to your future and realizing that God has made everything beautiful in its time. You don’t have to accomplish everything today, instead, make the most of each day.

Town of Falkville

Mayor Ken Winkles, Councilmen Brandon Dillard, Alton Hill, Charlie Gover, Patrick Holmes, and David Carroll