A New Beginning! (View DCHS Graduation Videos Here)

May 16, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

A New Beginning!

During Friday night’s graduation ceremony, 171 members of the DCHS Class of 2025 were urged to chase their dreams as they turn the page from the past to the future.

The commencement began an hour earlier than originally planned due to forecasts of thunderstorms and although it was cloudy and a bit windy, the rain held off during the ceremony.

Class Valedictorian Kora Kilgore reminded her classmates that while this chapter is closing, there is much more to their life story yet to be told.

“Every one of us has been writing our own story these past 4 years,” said Kilgore.” The challenges we’ve faced, experiences we’ve had, and the knowledge we gained have all shaped this chapter of our lives very differently. No matter. We can all share one part of our story. The people we met. Whether it be teachers who became our mentors, coaches who taught us the value of hard work, or friends who stuck by us through the highs and lows, we can all agree that the people we met during our time here no doubt had the greatest impact on each of our stories,” said Kilgore.

“Tonight, as we write the final page of this chapter, we’re closing a part of our lives. And while what each of us experienced was very different, we all made it here together”.

“This isn’t the end of the story, just the close of a chapter. Some of us will go into the workforce, others into trade school or college. But no matter how the next chapter looks for you, always remember the people who impacted your story. And always carry the lessons you learned with you wherever you go,” said Kilgore.

“I am glad to have experienced this chapter with all of you, and I cannot wait to see what we all write in our next one. Congratulations Class of 2025,” Kilgore concluded.

Class President Madeline Martin congratulated her fellow graduates on how far they have come, and she challenged them to go much further.

“Looking back on our journey, it is incredible to see how far we have come. We spend so much time waiting for life to begin that sometimes we forget what’s happening in the moment. If there is one thing that high school has taught me, it’s that the present moment matters more than you think, so don’t rush it. Make the most of what you have while you have it,” said Martin,

“We live in a world that measures our success in titles, test scores, and labels. However, these things do not define us. Success isn’t defined by a college acceptance or your future job. It’s showing up for those you love and getting back up after failure. It’s being kind when no one is watching or staying true to yourself in a world that tells you to be someone else”.

“We all have different paths ahead of us after tonight. Some of us know exactly what’s coming next, and some of us don’t. And that’s okay. Life doesn’t fit into one mold that everyone has to follow, so don’t be afraid of the unknown. Tonight, I urge you, don’t be defined by these four years, but let it be the foundation for your future,” said Martin.

The commencement began with a processional by the DCHS band as members of the class took their seats followed by an invocation by FCA member Andrew Dakas, a musical presentation by the DCHS Choir, and remarks by Class President Martin, and Valedictorian Kilgore. Students were recognized for Honors and Service Awards along with Motlow associate degree recipients, Distinction, Military Enlistments, and Top Rank students.

Principal Bruce Curtis awarded Kilgore as the Class Valedictorian and Martin, Salutatorian and then presented the White Rose Awards which went to Avery Agee and Ty Webb. Alissa Summers received the Citizenship Award.

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.

The Citizenship Award is given to a student in the senior class who exemplifies strong academic performance and contribution to the school and community.

Diplomas were then presented to each member of the class by Principal Curtis and Director of Schools Patrick Cripps as their names were called by Assistant Principal Jenny Norris. The commencement closed with a Benediction by FCA member Seth Fuson and members of the class tossing their caps in celebration.

Members of the DCHS Class of 2025 are as follows:

Avery Nicole Avery, Brayan Aguirre Bustillo, Kevin Michael Ahlgard, Sarah Hannah Aldino, Brayden Lavaughn Alverson, Macy Lynn Anderson, Axel Abraham Aranda, Alisha Elaine Armour, Joe Donald Ashford,

Nathaniel Edward Bain, Jaden Elise Barber, Kelsie Ann Barber, Ian Kyle Barnes, Jamey Renee Bradshaw, Olle Cameron Brookshire, Cale H. Brown, Caleb Keaton Buckley, Riley Jaythan Bullard, Jocelyn Burton, Grant Alexander Buterbaugh, Autumn Grace Byford,

Adrian Alexander Cabrera Gutierrez, Tanner Glenn Cantrell, Elizabeth Ann Cardin, Stephen Chance Carter, Christopher Charlie Lynn Cartwright, Hector Cervantes, Owen Garth Coffee, Audrey Dare Collins, Landon Douglas Colwell, Martin Coronado, Raylie Danielle Cowan, Ansley Caroline Crook, Danis Manuel Cruz Villalobos, Adreana Marie Cuevas,

Andrew Jackson Dakas, Annabella Eleni Dakas, Leonardo Delgado Perales, Stephen Joseph Dibattiste, Chloe Ariel Dies, Trinity Hope Dodson, Milas Beck Driver,

Greyson Wayne Emme,

Logan Isaiah Farris, Ashton Jerome Ferrell, Kristi Rashell Flores Calderon, Shaelee Nicole Foster, Lauren Elaine Fry, Seth Wilmore Fuson,

Eden Jolene Garner, Talan Linnell Gentry, Alyssa Brooke Gilpin, Marleth-Guadalupe Godinez-Silva, Jesus Daniel Gomez, Leslie Gonsalez-Martinez, Allison Faith Marie Goodwin, Camila Granados-Cortes, Caleb Benton Gray, Zoe McKenzie Guinn, Jesus Guzman-Godinez, Miguel Alejandro Guzman-Jantes,

Addison Renea Hale, Christian Cole Hale, Macey MaKenna Hale, Maddox Christian Hale, Raven Trinity Hale, William Samuel Harris, Tryton Lee Hartle, Clayton Daniel Hattaway, Alexis Riley Hawkins, Julianna Desiree Haynes, Katya Renee Hennessee, Erick Yandel Hernandez- Dragustinovis, Darin Garcia Herrera, Jackson Ryder Hodges, Charles Ean Holland,

Makinzy Lynn Jenkins, Leah Nicole Johnson,

Hannah Grace Keith, Kora Lin Kilgore, Dallas Lealan Kirby, Katherine Irene Knowles, Victoria Lynn Knowles, Addison Isabella Kyle,

Julio Arturo Lanier, Caleb Reed Lawson, Christian Jacob Lawson,

Aidan Michael Malone, Braeden Lee Mangin, Aaron Micheal Maple, Cesar Angel Martinez Soto, Jesus Alejandro Martinez-Rivera, Madeline Aiko Martin, Ninfa Jireth Martinez Parral, Jackson Carter Mathis, Brody Daniel Matias, Ashton Brooke McClain, Conner Preston McClure, Kristopher Steven Cole McMillen, Luke Leeallen Midgett, Keara McKinsey Milligan, Sara Grace Moore, Kenley Jewel Morris, Landon Alexander Moses, Marvin Bee Mosley, Paisly Nicole Mullican, Jose Luis Muniz Guzman, Savanna Hope Murphy,

Deeanna Nicole Neal, Layla Kaye Newby, Amy Lindale Nokes,

Mara Jade Oakley,

Jesus Alan Padilla, Charlotte Joy Paladino, Jordan Dallas Parker, Megyn Kyndal Patterson, Bradley Jae Pelham, Bryna Mae Pelham, Jesus Emmanuel Perez-Almaguer,

Lucia Perez Torres, Mylie Rose Phillips, Joyce Janice Portillo, Alison Leigh Poss, Evan Michael Prichard, Christopher Aaron Pulley, Bryan Ramirez-Celaya, Abril Rangel Salazar,

Siraya Ann Ratley, Dylan Thomas Reed, Laurie Beth Rigsby, Chloe Maleah Robinson, Emily Louise Robinson, Zeva Allyse Robinson, Kobe Bryce Roller,

Kinsley Diane Savage, Kylee Layne Savage, Isaiah Lucas Seale, Julio Cesar Sebastian Santiago, Andrew Bryan Shahan, Lauren Darlene Shehane, Kane Lamont Smith,

Owen Andrew Snipes, Ayden Michael Sprague, Braden Leo Sprague, Alexis Grace Stanley, Bryson Patrick Stanley, Jonathan Thomas Stanley, Daniel Curtis Stiffler, Kerstain Sadie Irene Strawser, Jayden Austin Sturdivant, Alissa Marie Summers, Gracie Jo Summers, Kaitlyn Brooke Summers,

Jericho Dekota Taylor, Mason James Taylor, Emily Leanne Teague, Antonio C. Thomas, James David Thomas, Emma Grace Thompson, Jennifer Selina Torres Soto, Nhan Thanh Truong,

Emma Rose Valdez,

Javan Wayne Walker, Gabriella Paige Washer, Ty Rustyn Webb, Crissy Nicole White, Jaden Maddox Wildes, Katelyn Marie Williams, Kaitlyn Lu Anne Wood,

Christina Kay Youngblood and Emily Tate Young

May 16, 2025
By: Bill Conger

DeKalb West School Principal and Assistant Principal Cindy Snow presented this year’s Perfect Attendance Awards at school this morning (Friday, May 16). Six students earned the prestigious award for not only being present for school every single day but not arriving late or leaving school early.

Congratulations go to 8th graders Kaden Mullinax and Adam Brown, sixth grader Karson Mullinax, fifth grader Mary Alice Moore, third grader Raylan Patterson, and second grader Canaan Davis. They each received a certificate and $50.

May 15, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

Commencement for the Class of 2025 is scheduled to take place on the football field of DeKalb County High School Friday night, May 16 starting at 6 p.m. (Senior Award Night Scholarship Winners from Tuesday night are noted in this story below)

WJLE and participating sponsors are presenting a photo gallery of the DCHS Class of 2025.

Click on the link below to view the senior formals.

Photo gallery

The graduation program schedule Friday night is as follows:

A processional by the DCHS band as members of the class take their seats; invocation by FCA member Andrew Dakas, musical presentation by the DCHS Choir, introduction by Class President Madeline Martin, and remarks by Valedictorian Kora Kilgore. Students will be recognized for Honors and Service Awards along with Motlow associate degree recipients, Distinction and Military Enlistments, and Top Rank students.

Principal Bruce Curtis will recognize the Class Valedictorian and Salutatorian and present the White Rose and Citizenship Awards. Diplomas will then be presented to each member of the class by Principal Curtis and Director of Schools Patrick Cripps as their names are called by Assistant Principal Jenny Norris. The commencement will close with a Benediction by FCA member Seth Fuson.

Meanwhile eighty plus members of the DCHS Class of 2025 were rewarded for years of academic and athletic achievements during Tuesday evening’s senior awards night program held in the high school gym.

The following seniors receiving scholarships and other special awards Tuesday night are as follows:

Avery Agee: Southern Landscape Supply/Diamond 9 Sports Student Athlete Scholarship

Hannah Aldino: MTSU Blue Raider Scholarship-$2,500

Sarah Aldino: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Brayden Alverson: Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship-$2,000

Macy Anderson: MTSU Presidential Scholarship-$18,000 and Tennessee Tech University Presidential Scholarship-$16,000

Alisha Armour: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Jaden Barber: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, DCHS Cosmetology Awards, Upper Cumberland Association of Realtors Scholarship-$250

Keslie Barber: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, DCHS Cosmetology Awards, Motlow State Community College Scholarship, Upper Cumberland Association of Realtors Scholarship-$250

Ian Barnes: Tennessee Tech University Presidential Scholarship-$16,000

Jamey Bradshaw: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Cale Brown: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship-$2,000, Tennessee College of Applied Technology McMinnville-$300

Caleb Buckley: Mechatronics/Industrial Maintenance FESTO Introduction to Mechatronics Industry Certification, Woodmen Life U.S. History Award-$50

Tanner Cantrell: Tennessee College of Applied Technology Livingston Scholarship-$1,400

Hector Cervantes: DCHS Class of 1975 Jacque Redmon Hale Memorial Scholarship-$300

Owen Coffee: United State Army Enlistment

Dare Collins: DeKalb County Board of Education Members Scholarship-$700, FirstBank Scholarship-$500, Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial Scholarship-$1,000, Motlow State Community College associate’s degree

Landon Colwell: Tennessee Tech University Presidential Scholarship-$12,000, United State Air Force Enlistment

Caroline Crook: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, Love Cantrell Funeral Home Scholarship-$350

Adreana Cuevas: Tennessee Technological University Residence Hall Award-$2,500

Andrew Dakas: Tennessee Tech University Presidential Scholarship-$16,000, Belmont Archer Presidential Scholarship-full cost of attendance, General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000, Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial Scholarship-$1,000

Annabella Dakas: Belmont University Merit Scholar Scholarship-$76,000, Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial Scholarship-$1,000

Leonardo Delgado: Caney Fork Electric Essay Contest 2nd Place Winner-$100,

Chloe Dies: Cumberland University Scholarship, DeKalb County Retired Teachers Scholarship-$500

Ashton Ferrell: Mechatronics/Industrial Maintenance FESTO Introduction to Mechatronics Industry Certification, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$12,000

Kristi Flores: Belmont University Merit Scholar Scholarship-$12,000, DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Shaelee Foster: Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Scholarship-$500, East Tennessee State University

Lauren Fry: Cumberland University Scholarship

Seth Fuson: Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Scholarship-$500, Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home Scholarship-$350, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$16,000, Tennessee Technological University Rector/Henry Family Endowed Scholarship-$1,500, University of Tennessee Knoxville Volunteer Scholarship-$16,000

Alyssa Gilpin: Middle Tennessee State University Presidential Scholarship-$18,000, Motlow State Community College associate’s degree

Kalina Goodman: Caney Fork Electric Essay Contest 1st Place Winner-Trip to Washington D.C.

Allison Goodwin: Middle Tennessee State University Presidential Scholarship-$18,000, Motlow State Community College associate’s degree

Camila Granados Cortes: DCHS HOSA Scholarship-$250,

Caleb Gray: East Tennessee State University-$16,000, General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000, Middle Tennessee State University Presidential Scholarship-$18,000, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$16,000, University of Tennessee Chattanooga-$16,000

Miguel Guzman: Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship-$2,000

Samuel Harris: Jo Ellen Huffman & Ron Rogers Memorial 4-H Scholarship-$500, Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, DCHS FFA Scholarship-$250, DeKalb County Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship-$500, DeKalb County Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Scholarship-$500, DeKalb County Soil & Water Conservation District Scholarship-$1,000, Lynn Leland Johnson Memorial FFA Agricultural Scholarship-$250

Clayton Hattaway: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000

Alexis Hawkins: Tennessee Technological University Brenda Norman Albright Endowed Scholarship-$500

Jackson Hodges: Talmage Young Automotive Memorial Scholarship-$300

Charles Holland: Joe Hearn Memorial Career and Technical Education Scholarship Alexandria Lions Club-$1,000, Tennessee College of Applied Technology McMinnville-$300

Hannah Keith: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, DeKalb County Board of Education Members Scholarship-$700, Jo Ellen Huffman & Ron Rogers Memorial 4-H Scholarship-$350

Wesley Kent: DeKalb Fishing Team Scholarship-$350

Kora Kilgore: Advanced Placement Scholar & Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor, Anderson University Baptist Scholarship-$1,200, Anderson University Denmark Scholarship-$12,000, Anderson University Out of State Scholarship-$12,000, Anderson University President’s Scholarship-$68,000, Anderson University Softball Scholarship-$88,000, General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000, Valedictorian

Dallas Kirby: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000

Katherine Knowles: Charles G. Berwind Foundation-$40,000, Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Scholarship-$14,000

Caleb Lawson: Allen D. Hooper Memorial Scholarship-$500, Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Scholarship-$14,000, Scottish Rite-$1,000, Tennessee Technological University Golden Opportunity Scholarship-$10,000,

Aidan Malone: Caney Fork Electric Essay Contest 4th Place Winner-$50, DCHS Class of 1966-$500

Braeden Mangin: DeKalb Fishing Scholarship-$350

Madeline Martin: American Legion & Ladies Auxiliary Girls State, DCHS HOSA Scholarship-$250, First Bank Scholarship-$500, General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home Scholarship-$350, Salutatorian, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$20,000, University of Tennessee Knoxville Distinguished Tennessean Scholarship-full tuition and fees

Jackson Mathis: AMVETS Scholarship in Memory of Kurt Rust-$500, Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, DTC Communications Media Scholarship for Excellence-$1,000, First Bank Scholarship-$500, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$12,000,

Ashton McClain: Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Scholarship-$14,000

Luke Midgett: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, Eddie Crips Memorial Scholarship-$1,000, Faulkner University Jack Zorn Scholarship-$98,400, Jo Ellen Huffman & Ron Rogers Memorial 4-H Scholarship-$500, Southern Landscape Supply/Diamond 9 Sports-$500

Keara Milligan: AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship in Memory of Sharon Rust-$250, DCHS Cosmetology Awards, Tyler Vanhoose Memorial Scholarship-$2,000

Paisley Mullican: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Mara Oakley: Lucille Stewart Educational Award-$2,000, DCHS Student Government Association Scholarship-$250, Tennessee Technological University W. Doyle and Melford Smith Scholarship-$3,000, Vicky Terrell Memorial Scholarship for Education-$1,250

Charlotte Paladino: Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Scholarship-$14,000, “Southern Landscape Supply/Diamond 9 Sports Student Athlete Scholarship”-$500, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$12,000

Jordan Parker: Cumberland University Academic/Athletic Football Scholarship-$84,000, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$12,000

Megyn Patterson: Motlow State Community College associate’s degree

Bradley Pelham: Tennessee Technological University Golden Opportunity Scholarship-$10,000

Bryna Pelham: Campbellsville University Softball Performance Scholarship-$32,000, Campbellsville University Trustees Academic Scholarship-$66,000,

Evan Prichard: Love-Cantrell Funeral Home Scholarship-$350

Bryan Ramirez: Tennessee Technological Tommy Burks Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Engineering-$700

Siraya Ratley: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Emily Robinson: Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Scholarship-$14,000, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$12,000,

Zeva Robinson: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raider Scholarship-$2,500

Kobe Roller: Caney Fork Electric Essay Contest 3rd Place Winner-$75, Mechatronics/Industrial Maintenance FESTO Introduction to Mechatronics Industry Certification, Middle Tennessee State University Presidential Scholarship-$18,000

Kinsley Savage: Mechatronics/Industrial Maintenance FANUC Robotics Level 1 Industry Certification

Kylee Savage: DCHS Cosmetology Awards-

Julio Sebastian Santiage: Belmont University Merit Scholar Scholarship-$76,000

Owen Snipes: Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Stones River-$500

Ayden Sprague: Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship-$2,000

Daniel Stiffler: Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$16,000

Alissa Summers: Liberty State Bank Scholarship-$1,000

Kaitlyn Summers: DCHS Cosmetology Awards:

Mason Taylor: Bryan College Fishing Scholarship-$18,000, Bryan College Silver Academic Scholarship-$16,000, Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, DeKalb Fishing Team Scholarship-$350

Emily Teague: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Nhan Truong: Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Scholarship-$14,000

Emma Valdez: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Ty Webb: Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Scholarship-$500, Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, DeKalb County Board of Education Members Scholarship-$700, Maryville College Educator Award-$4,000, Maryville College MC Isaac Anderson Fellowship-$12,000, Maryville College Scots Legacy-$80,000, Maryville College Visit Scholarship-$1,000, “Southern Landscape Supply/Diamond 9 Sports Student Athlete Scholarship”-$500

Chrissy White: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Jaden Wildes: Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Scholarship-$14,000

Emily Young: Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$12,000, University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs Scholarship-$12,000

Senior Service Award Winners: Dare Collins, Andrew Dakas, Annabella Dakas, Seth Fuson, Jackson Mathis, and Charlotte Paladino

Tennessee Scholars: Kelsie Barber, Jaden Barber, Audrey Collins, Seth Fuson, Jackson Mathis, Charlotte Paladino, Andrew Dakas, and Annabella Dakas

State Representative Michael Hale Presented Awards to the Top 10 Students in the Class Rank: Kora Kilgore, Madeline Martin, Seth Fuson, Landon Colwell, Andrew Dakas, Dallas Kirby, Emily Robinson, Jackson Mathis, Annabella Dakas, and Layla Newby

Woodmen Life Presentation of U.S. Flag to DCHS

Motlow State Community College 12 or More Hours of Credit

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