It was a big night for the DCHS Class of 2024 as 171 seniors were joined by friends and family at Dr. John L. Van Hooser Memorial Stadium for a commencement ceremony. Many of the senior class began their high school experience through remote learning due to the Covid pandemic, but this night was out in the open and a time to celebrate.

The ceremony began with a processional as the DCHS Fighting Tiger Band played. The invocation was then given by FCA member Patyn Carter.

Class President Ella Hendrixson followed with the introduction, saying, “Our time here at DeKalb County High School has been a rollercoaster, full of both challenges and triumphs. Beginning our high school career in the midst of a world-wide pandemic was definitely not the vision we had crafted in our minds from a young age. However, through the adversity that Covid had gifted us, we learned perseverance. We learned that we should not take a single thing for granted that we are given in life, because it can be taken away from you in an instant. I believe that remaining tenacious and level-headed has allowed us to leave a great legacy behind – a legacy full of remarkable achievements, traditions, and memories”.

“I congratulate all of my fellow classmates that have made the unforgettable journey to achieve this incredible milestone. It is today that we all come together to celebrate the end of an extraordinary chapter in our lives. I give a massive amount of thanks to all of the families, friends, faculty, and distinguished guests who have supported us along the way. Your guidance, love, and belief in us has not gone unnoticed and undoubtedly has been an instrumental part to our success, and we are forever grateful.”

“It is with the utmost confidence when I say that I am proud to be a Tiger. While I am standing here, looking upon you all, I cannot help but feel such pride knowing that I have had the privilege of spending these past four years with such an amazing group of people. I know that DCHS will always be a part of our lives, no matter where in life we are taken. We now stand at the beginning of endless opportunities, untapped potential, and the chance to make a difference in the world. Congratulations to the Class of 2024, and, as always, Go Tigers,” said Hendrixson.

The band then performed “America the Beautiful” and “Sing, Sing, Sing,” before Valedictorian Peyton Norris made her commencement address.

“Almost everybody here has a person that they look up to. Someone that inspires them. This might be a peer, an authority figure, a celebrity, an entrepreneur, anyone. Since I can remember, I was inspired most by one thing. Superheroes. I was always infatuated by their willingness to jump headfirst into the unknown, no matter how scary it may be. I thought I could never be brave like them. But I was wrong.”

“Every student in these seats has faced something challenging, some sort of trial or tribulation. It is part of life. But we have all persevered and made it to this moment despite those hardships. Just like the heroes we look up to, we have conquered many obstacles to make it to this moment. We have made it through exams, anxiety, and most notably covid. It’s hard to believe that 4 years ago, we were at home on our Chromebook doing online class, and now, we are here, thankfully in person, graduating.”

“Our high school experience was completely different from the moment it started. I know everybody has learned something from these experiences, but for me personally, they have taught me that true superpowers are not some kind of extraordinary ability, but the strength we find inside of us to carry on and be the best versions of ourselves. Like The Avengers, we have learned to work together as a team and to uplift each other. We have learned to stand strong and fight for what we believe in. We have learned the power of responsibility, and I am sure we can all embrace the challenges that our futures hold for us.”

“I know that all of us can leave this field and go out into the world to make it a better place. It doesn’t matter if you help one person or a thousand, you are still a superhero, and you will make it. I leave you with a quote that encompasses the passion of this class to change society for the better. In the words of my favorite musical, Hadestown, ‘Let the world we dream about be the one we live in now,’” said Norris.

Principal Bruce Curtis then addressed the class, saying, “Congratulations Class of 2024. Seniors it has been a privilege getting to know you the last three years and being a part of your life. I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed these last three years as much as I. It is my hope that each of you have learned that if you’re willing to put forth the effort you can accomplish anything in life. Parents, grandparents, and guardians of the senior class, I would like to thank you for entrusting your children with the faculty of DCHS. It has been an honor working with them. They are kind, respectful young men and women. You should be very proud.”

The White Rose Awards and Citizenship Award was then presented. The White Rose is presented to a boy and girl from the senior class with strong academic performance and contribution to the school and community and exemplary moral character, while the Citizenship Award is presented to a student who exemplifies strong academic performance and contribution to the school and community. Luke Magness and Kathryn Hale each were honored with a white rose, while Brynn Harvey earning the Citizenship Award.

Top Rank students were recognized, with Daniela Amaya, Alexander Antoniak, Kyra Baker, Tess Barton, Patyn Carter, Conner Close, Ian Colwell, Gavin Cooper, Kendall Davis, Olivia Diego, Zakery Farris, Allyson Fuller, Micah Gandy, Cadence Griffith, Kathryn Hale, Jacob Hendrix, Ella Hendrixson, Matty Hollingsworth, Devin Holt, Jaxon Humphrey, Madelyn Johnson, Jade Mabe, Serenity McCrary, Evelyn Mitchell, Briahna Murphy, Peyton Norris, Paul Oliver, Xavier Parker, Topanga Patrick, Maleah Ruch, Elvia Sanchez, Karson Smallwood, Kaleb Spears, Ethan Thompson, Caroline Tobitt, Briz Trapp, Jackson Vantrease, Ella VanVranken, Carson Vincent, Lilly Waggoner, Nathaniel Wessel, Makaylee Winchester, Dominique Young, and Konner Young being named. To be considered for top Rank, students must take at least 10 honors, dual enrollment, and AP courses and students must have a 21 or higher ACT composite score or 1060 SAT total score.

The following students are being recognized for “Distinction” as having met the requirement for Tennessee State Distinction by having a B average and meeting at least one of the following: Earned a nationally recognized industry certification, Participated in at least one of the Governor’s Schools, Participated in one of the state’s All State Musical Organizations, Been selected as a National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist, Attained a composite score of 31 or higher on the ACT or a total SAT score of 1420 or higher, Attained a score of 3 or higher on at least two Advanced Placement (AP) exams, Earned 12 or more semester hours of postsecondary (dual enrollment credit).

Those students are Daniela Amaya, Alexander Antoniak, Kyra Baker, Jonathan Balderas-Rayas, Tess Barton, Aydan Bean, Camryn Branin, Cameron Caballero, Ansley Cantrell, Seth Cantrell, Brayden Carter, Patyn Carter, Conner Close, Ian Colwell, Gavin Cooper, Alyssa Crook, Abby Cross, Kendall Davis, William Dickens, Olivia Diego, Ellie Dillard, Ronnie Edwards, Marshall Farler, Zackery Farris, Briana Fletcher, Allyson Fuller, Riley Fuson, Micah Gandy, Cesar Gaspar Celaya, Trystan Gibbs, Cadence Griffith, Kathryn Hale, Tristan Hall, Aaron Hatfield, Jacob Hendrix, Ella Hendrixson, Jonathan Hernandez, Alexa Hernandez-Dragustinovis, Yoana Hernandez-Avalos, Matty Hollingsworth, Devin Holt, Jaxon Humphrey, Gage Ikonen, Madelyn Johnson, Ayden Jones, Chayla Knauer, Zoe Kuhn, Emily Lattimore, Chloe Lawson, Jade Mabe, Cayden Martin, Serenity McCrary, Kyle Miller, Evelyn Mitchell, Sadie Moore, Samuel Moore, Briahna Murphy, Peyton Norris, Paul Oliver, Melanie Ortiz, Kayleigh Overstreet, Ella Pack, Brandon Palomo, Topanga Patrick, Serenity Patterson, Gracie Randolph, Gael Rico, Karol Rico Godinez, Maleah Ruch, Elvia Sanchez, Makayla Scales, Karson Smallwood, Lucas Spare, Landon Speaks, Kaleb Spears, Jack Summers, Caley Taylor, Kilah Terry, Ethan Thompson, Caroline Tobitt, Briz Trapp, Elaina Turner, Jackson Vantrease, Ella VanVranken, Karly Vickers, Carson Vincent, Lilly Waggoner, Owen Warren, Nathaniel Wessel, Ari White, Dalton Williams, Martin Willingham, Makaylee Winchester, Westin Wright, and Konnor Young.

The following students have met the requirements for graduating with Tennessee State Honors by meeting all of the ACT or SAT subject area readiness benchmarks. The ACT benchmarks are as follows: English – 18, Reading – 22, Math – 22, and Science 23. The SAT benchmarks are as follows: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing – 480 Math – 530:

Daniela Amaya, Alex Antoniak, Tess Barton, Payton Carter, Ian Colwell, Gage Ikonen, Kendall Davis, William Dickens, Olivia Diego, Briana Fletcher, Micah Gandy, Kathryn Hale, Tristan Hall, Jacob Hendrix, Ella Hendrixson, Devin Holt, Jade Mabe, Serenity McCrary, Evelyn Mitchell, Peyton Norris, Paul Oliver, Xavier Parker, Markayla Rebertus, Maleah Ruch, James Slager, Lucas Spare, Kaleb Spears, Ethan Thompson, Jackson Vantrease, Lilly Waggoner, Jazmine Wagner, Owen Warren, Nathaniel Wessel, Dominique Young, and Konnor Young.

The following students have met all requirements for becoming a Tennessee Scholar. The Tennessee Scholars program encourages students to take a more rigorous and challenging course of study in high school. Students graduating as Tennessee Scholars have to maintain good academic, disciplinary, and attendance standards as well as volunteer in the community. Tennessee Scholars also choose to take rigorous courses beyond what is required to graduate: Tess Barton, Ansley Cantrell, Ian Colwell, Riley Fuson, Cesar Gaspar Celaya, Kathryn Hale, Alexa Hernandez, Yoana Hernandez, Jaxon Humphrey, Peyton Norris, Kaleb Spears, Caroline Tobitt, and Elaina Turner.

The following students are Senior Service Award recipients. These seniors have earned this award by volunteering at least 10 hours of their time during each year of high school: Ansley Cantrell, Riley Fuson, Kathryn Hale, Alexa Hernandez, Yoana Hernandez, Jaxon Humphrey, Peyton Norris, Kaleb Spears, Caroline Tobitt, and Elaina Turner.

Diplomas were then presented to the graduates by Principal Bruce Curtis, Assistant Principal Jenny Norris, and Director of Schools Patrick Cripps.  

Members of the DCHS Class of 2024 are as follows: Ekow Afful-Turkson, Daniela Amaya, Cayleigh Anderson, Payton Anderson, Alexander Antoniak, Kyra Baker, Jonathan Balderas-Rayas, Pacey Ballew, Tess Barton, Joseph Franklin Bates, Aydan Bean, Jonathan Bell, Luis Beltran-Resendiz, Daniel Aguirre Benitez, Carter Benson, Sarah Boner, Graceson Boyd, Courtney Braido, Camryn Branin, Charles Burklow, Dariella Isabel Buyones Nunez, Cameron Caballero, Hunter Cannon, Ansley Cantrell, Elijah Cantrell, Seth Cantrell, Brayden Carter, Patyn Carter, Jasmen Chapman, Conner Close, Ian Colwell, Alvan Contreras Ramirez, Bryson Cooper, Gavin Cooper, Trey Crabtree, Alyssa Crook, Abby Cross, Ethan Curtis, Nickolas Dandurand, Angelina Davenport, Kendall Davis, Madison Dawson,  William Dickens, Olivia Diego, Ellie Dillard, Brandon Donnell, Nelissa Anne Dowell, Ronnie Edwards, Lacey England, Marshall Farler, Zackery Wil Farris, Briana Fletcher, Allyson Fuller, Riley Fuson, Jannifer Galindo-Godinez, Micah Gandy, Emilio Garcia, Cesar Gaspar Celaya, Samuel Gaspar-Guzman, Trystan Seth Gibbs, Laura Good, Korina Goolsby, Cadence Griffith, Kathryn Hale, Julian Kade Haley, Tristan Hall, Peyton Hallum, Anthony Hamilton, Mallorie Hamilton, Brynn Harvey, Aaron Hatfield, Jacob Hendrix, Ella Hendrixson,  Jared Hernandez Balderas, Jonathan Hernandez, Alexa Hernandez Dragustinovis, Yoana Hernandez-Avalos, Mallory Hollingsworth, Matty Hollingsworth, Devin Holt, Jaxon Humphrey, Gage Michael Ikonen, Araya Ittayem, Kolby Jacobs, Madelyn Johnson, Ayden Jones, Chayla Knauer, Zachary Knowles, Zoe Kuhn, Emily Lattimore, Brayden Lawson, Chloe Lawson, Jade Mabe, Luke Magness, Cayden Martin,  Dayana Martinez, Serenity McCrary, Jason Lee Issac McGill, Lucian McJunkins, Kaden McPherson, Kholton Melton, Kyle Miller, Rashelle Miller, Evelyn Mitchell, Sadie Moore, Samuel Moore, Briahna Murphy, Austin Nicholson, Peyton Norris, Alexxus Oiler, Paul Oliver, Melanie Ortiz, Kayleigh Overstreet, Ella Pack, Brandon Roel Palomo, Xavier Parker, Trevor Parsley, Topanga Patrick, Serenity Patterson, Garrison Randolph, Gracie Randolph, Tyce Ratley, Joseph Rea, Markayla Michelle Rebertus, Keley Viola Reeder, Gael Rico, Karol Rico Godinez, Cristal Rico Serna, Maleah Ruch, Elvia Adamari Sanchez, Emily Satterfield, Skylar Savage, Makayla Scales, James Slager, Karson Smallwood, Sierra Lynn Sobotka, Ashley Sosa, Erick Soto Martinez, Lucas Quinn Spare, Landon Speaks, Kaleb Spears, Shelby Starnes, Jack Brayden Summers, Preston  Grace Summers, Trinten Summers, Caley Taylor, Kilah Terry, Ethan Thompson, Caroline Tobitt, Briz Trapp, Malachi Trapp, Tony Trapp, Elaina Turner, Matthew Usrey, Jackson Vantrease, Ella Vanvranken, Karly Vickers, Carson Vincent, Haston Waggoner, Lilly Waggoner, Jazmine Elaine Wagner, Owen Warren, Gabriel Washer, Nathaniel Wessel, Hanniah West,  Dalton Williams, Martin Willingham, Makaylee Winchester, Westin Wright, Dominique Young, and Konner Young.

The benediction from FCA member Sadie Moore was made to close out the commencement.