Swainsboro High School held its annual senior honors program Monday, May 9 in the gym. Students who have exceeded expectations in academics and athletics were awarded with scholarships, recognitions, and distinctions. Seniors Britney Nguyen, Garrett Peebles, Morgan Green, and Evan Rogers led the program. Monica Pace, Guidance Counselor, coordinated the presentation of awards.
SPECIAL AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS:
The American Legion School Award was presented to Britney Nguyen as the valedictorian of the graduating class. Jessica Harter was presented with an award for Military Excellence.
The Daughters of the American Revolution Award, which is given each year by the local chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, was presented to Morgan Green. This award recognizes the senior who best exemplifies the overall quality of citizenship.
The Coca-Cola Principal’s Choice Award is sponsored by Coca-Cola and recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of the two top students in the senior class. The award this year went to Britney Nguyen and Jose Hernandez.
Principal Brandon Andrews presented the Jostens Principal Award to Jayson Brown. This award is given to a student from the top 10% of the class who exhibits the qualities of leadership, character, and academic excellence.
Manuel Fernandez was recognized as STAR Student for being the senior who has the highest SAT score in one sitting. Fernandez selected Joseph O’Neal, technology teacher, as his STAR Teacher.
Morgan Green was recognized for her contribution to the Young Georgia Authors Writing Contest. It is open to any student enrolled in Georgia public schools and no prompt is given. Morgan is the school winner for SHS.
Anna Donaldson and Jayson Brown were recognized for being named the Exchange Club Youths of the Year for SHS. They were selected because they show strong character, leadership, academic performance, and community service. Anna was also named Emanuel County Youth of the Year and will advance to the State Exchange Club competition then possibly the national level.
Daniella Delgado, Madison Peebles, Megan Peebles, and Lilly Scott were recognized as nominees in the US Presidential Scholars Program. This program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Only up to 160 students from across the country are named each year. This is one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
Serah Kelly and Caley Wilkerson were honored for committing their future to East Georgia State College through athletics. Kelly signed a letter of intent for basketball and Wilkerson signed for softball.
Zach Lee was recognized for signing a letter of intent to become a college level wrestler for Life University. Jonorian Foots was recognized for signing a letter of intent to play football at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Ty Adams was recognized for signing a letter of intent to play football for the University of North Carolina. Jakari Nobles was recognized for signing a letter of intent to play football for Point University. Dorien Foots was recognized for signing a letter of intent to play football for Wingate University.
Lilly Scott was the recipient of the Alton Slawson Jr. Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is in memory of the 1977 SHS valedictorian, who was killed by a drunk driver in 1989 and is given to a senior who excelled in history, as did Slawson.
Manuel Bustamante was awarded the H. Randall Tanner Memorial Scholarship, which is presented by the Emanuel County Young Farmers in memory of the late SHS Agriculture teacher. Manuel was also awarded the Matthew Anders Memorial Scholarship, which is given in memory of Anders, a student at SHS who was killed in a car accident in 2005, to a student who plans to attend Southeastern Technical College.
Achazia Harmon was awarded one of the Beyond Your Imagination Scholarships, which were inspired by Jocelyn Williams who is an 11-year-old Amazon best-selling author of children’s books. Achazia also received the Family Connection Scholarship and the Victory Temple Scholarship.
Out of over 51,000 applicants, Jose Hernandez was chosen as one of 750 to receive the Gates Scholarship awarded through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Ty Adams, Maddison Andrews and Dorien Foots received the Pin-Hi Golf Association Scholarship that awards students for their academic achievements and community service efforts.
Victoria Payton McRee received the Mercer University Scholarship and additionally the Dean’s Scholarship for the school of engineering.
Manuel Fernandez received the ClearWater Solutions Scholarship. This company manages water and wastewater for the City of Swainsboro. The scholarship is given to 16 students across four states.
Jonorian Foots and Victoria Payton McRee were awarded Danny “Stat Cat” Henry Scholarships. Henry graduated from SHS in 1975 but began working with athletic stats at the age of 10. He is a dedicated Tiger fan and this scholarship is given to students who exemplify his ideals of loyalty, commitment and devotion to SHS.
Maddison Andrews was awarded the Bobby Andrews Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to a member of the Tiger Basketball program.
Jayson Brown is the recipient of the Don E. Braswell Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to a student who has demonstrated the most devotion to and has brought the greatest amount of praise and honor to SHS. Jayson also received the Eloise Vining Scholarship, the Ben G. Waller/Kiwanis Club of Statesboro Scholarship, and the Altamaha EMC Foundation Scholarship. In addition, Jayson was awarded four scholarships from Georgia Southern University Gretsch School of Music.
Garrett Peebles was awarded the Kiwanis Legacy Scholarship. Garrett also received the Dublin Rotary Club Davis Hilburn Scholarship. In addition, Garrett received the Taylor Nicole Hooks Memorial Scholarship, which is given in memory of the late ECI Class of 2016 graduate.
Anna Donaldson received the Beta Sigma Phi Scholarship, which is given to females who serve their community.
Garrett Peebles and Jose Hernandez were awarded Emanuel County 4-H Foundation Scholarships.
Evan Rogers and Victoria Payton McRee were named Heisman High School Scholarship recipients. These awards are presented by the Heisman Trophy Trust and school winners have the opportunity to become state winners, national finalists, or national winners.
Jayson Brown received the Jeremy Love Scholarship, which was established by the Swainsboro Band Boosters in memory of former Band of Gold member, Jeremy Love. The purpose of the scholarship is to help fund the post-secondary education of a deserving senior who has participated fully and with quality in the SHS Band.
Lindsey Dalton was awarded the Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship that is used to help promote community banking.
Jayson Brown, Ozzie Gonzalez, and Jessica Harter were awarded REACH Scholarships to be used at any HOPE-eligible post-secondary institution in Georgia. They went through an interview process in eighth grade to be a REACH Scholar. They also received cords to wear at graduation.
Madison Peebles was named the recipient of the Nina Herrington Memorial Scholarship that honors Herrington, one of seven Georgia Business Education teachers who started a cooperative work experience program in her high school over 50 years ago. This award is presented to an outstanding Business Education student at SHS each year.
Madison Peebles and Jayson Brown were awarded Peter R. Marsh Silent Servant Scholarships. These awards are not contests, but is used to recognize and reward students for their kindness and empathy toward others.
The valedictorian and salutatorian of the senior class automatically qualify for 100% of tuition paid by the Zell Miller Scholarship fund. Students may also receive this scholarship if they have at least a 3.7 GPA and 1200 in critical reading and math in one sitting of the SAT or a 26 composite on the ACT in one sitting. The following students received this funding: Britney Nguyen (valedictorian), Jose Hernandez (salutatorian), Manuel Fernandez, and Evan Rogers.
DISTINCTIONS:
Membership into the ACT/SAT Achievers Club is to recognize students who achieve at least a 480 on the reading and writing portion of the SAT and at least a 530 on the math portion of the SAT or score at least a 22 composite or higher on the ACT. Students with this distinction are Jayson Brown, Mattie Boulineau, Manuel Fernandez, Jessica Harter, Nathan Henry, Jose Hernandez, Remington Jackson, Britney Nguyen, Garrett Peebles, Madison Peebles, Megan Peebles, Giselle Perez, Patrick Ream, and Evan Rogers.
National Art Honor Society recognizes students who have shown an outstanding ability in art. They have maintained an A average for two or more years in art and have volunteered their services to both SHS and the community. The following students received cords for this distinction: Maddison Andrews, Maliah Castro, Ol’brionna Coleman, Emily DeLaGarza, Sara Estes, Ki’Nya Hughes, and Mallory Johnson.
Beta Club members are required to participate in service projects and club activities each school year in addition to maintaining an A average in their academics. These seniors graduate with an awareness of the importance of giving back to their community and serving others. The following students received Beta stoles for this distinction: Chasity Adams, Mattie Boulineau, Jayson Brown, Lindsey Dalton, Daniella Delgado, Anna Donaldson, Manuel Fernandez, Landon Gay, Ozzie Gonzalez, Nauseen Hall, Achazia Harmon, Nathan Henry, Jose Hernandez, Victoria Payton McRee, Britney Nguyen, Madison Peebles, Megan Peebles, Peyton Rich, Evan Rogers, Lilly Scott, Eleighana Warren, and Jayla Williams.
The Citizens Bank Student Advisory Board is made up of students from the three high schools in Emanuel County. Students go through an application process of submitting letters of recommendation as well as a private interview in order to be selected for the board. These students get the opportunity to receive leadership training as well as to take part in several community service activities. The following students received cords for their participation on this board: Chasity Adams, Jayson Brown, Anna Donaldson, Manuel Fernandez, Landon Gay, Ozzie Gonzalez, Brooke Hannah, Nathan Henry, Jose Hernandez, Te’Aundrea Lewis, Victoria McRee, Britney Nguyen, Garrett Peebles, Madison Peebles, Megan Peebles, Evan Rogers, Lilly Scott, and Caley Wilkerson.
Future Business Leaders of America cords were awarded for students completing at least two of the four levels of the national FBLA Business Achievement Awards Program. In addition, members who receive the honor cord have demonstrated dedication to FBLA through a variety of activities in areas of community service, chapter involvement and leadership. Those who received cords are Chasity Adams, Trinity Brinson, Anna Donaldson, Achazia Harmon, Serah Kelly, Azareyah Leeks, Madison Peebles, Megan Peebles, Britney Nguyen, Caley Wilkerson, and Kelcy Womack.
4-H honor cords were awarded for competing in a district or state event during senior year of high school to Jose Hernandez, Garrett Peebles, and Chloe Mulrooney.
FBLA partners with Shepheard Community Blood Center each year and hosts several blood drives at SHS. Students who donate a minimum of three units of blood and/or encourage others to donate on their behalf earn the red cord to be worn at graduation. Each unit of blood has the potential to save three lives.
The following students received red cords: Jake Bishop, Trinity Brinson, Shann Bush, Maliah Castro, Ol’brionna Coleman, Anna Donaldson, Raven Gladin, Daniel Gonzalez, Nauseen Hall, Brooke Hannah, Jose Hernandez, Antoria Hodges, Kaylee Hunter, Mikala Jackson, Tamyshia Johnson, Mariah Jones, Serah Kelly, Aaliyah Kinsey, Jonathan Martinez, Ezra Melton, Nakedra Mosley, Chloe Mulrooney, Jada O’Quinn, Jeffery Sherrod, JaMia Smith, Caley Wilkerson, and Kelcy Womack.
Membership into the Quill & Scroll Honor Society recognizes student achievement in journalism and school publication. The following students earned cords for this distinction: Taliyah Archie, Mattie Boulineau, Daniella Delgado, Morgan Green, Jessica Harter, and Te’Aundrea Lewis
Student Council members are elected each year by their peers and are given the opportunity to develop leadership skills by organizing and carrying out school activities and service projects. Members in good standing who received cords are Chasity Adams, Jayson Brown, Nauseen Hall, Brooke Hannah, and Victoria Payton McRee.
Jake Bishop, Carl Bryant, Manuel Fernandez, Morgan Green, Victoria Payton McRee, Peyton Rich, Pete Salinas, and Eleighana Warren received cords for exceptional leadership and participation in the Technology Student Association.
Jamichael Robinson received a cord for his dedication and participation in the Career Technical Instruction conferences at the local and state levels. Morgan Green received a cord for participation and leadership in Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).
Students who have been active in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and participated in multiple FFA competitions received cords for this distinction. They are Manuel Bustamante, Ozzie Gonzalez, and Caley Wilkerson.
JROTC students who have been enrolled in the program for a minimum of three semesters and have at least a 3.0 GPA received honor cords. These students are
Nathaniel Anderson, Sara Estes, Raven Gladin, Jessica Harter, Kaitlyn Hightower, Hayleigh Jordan, Alexis Smith, Ricckiya Smith, and Hope Tant. Students who achieved a 3.5 GPA or higher also received stoles. These students are Raven Gladin, Jessica Harter, and Hayleigh Jordan.
Band students who were enrolled in band at least one semester per year earned a cord for membership in the Tri-M Music Honor Society. These students are Chasity Adams, Norberto Aragon, Aerin Bazemore, Trinity Brinson, Jayson Brown, Katie Carroll, Lindsey Dalton, Anna Donaldson, Landon Gay, Nauseen Hall, Brooke Hannah, Achazia Harmon, Amaya Henderson, Crystal Hernandez, Jose Hernandez, Antoria Hodges, Mikala Jackson, Jonathan Martinez, Britney Nguyen, Garrett Peebles, Madison Peebles, Megan Peebles, Giselle Perez, Patrick Ream, Pete Salinas, Mattie Tanner, Licenia Vicente-Mendoza, Caley Wilkerson, and Jayla Williams.
All SHS students are strongly encouraged to complete a Career Technology Agriculture Education (CTAE) Pathway in either Business, Family & Consumer Sciences, Agriculture, or Engineering. These students have passed real-world industry recognized exams such as Microsoft Office Certification and ServSafe to earn this distinction. The following students received honor cords for their efforts: Ty Adams, Nicholas Anderson, Tobias Andrews, Taliyah Archie, Aerin Bazemore, Jake Bishop, Mattie Boulineau, Trinity Brinson, Jayson Brown, Carl Bryant, Manuel Bustamante, Katie Carroll, Maliah Castro, Taliah Castro, Ol’brionna Coleman, Emily DeLaGarza, Daniella Delgado, Anna Donaldson, Manuel Fernandez, Madison Flanders, Zy’Naja Givens, Raven Gladin, Daniel Gonzalez, Ozzie Gonzalez, Malik Green, Morgan Green, Nauseen Hall, Nautis Hall, Achazia Harmon, Jessica Harter, Amaya Henderson, Nathan Henry, Crystal Hernandez, Jose Hernandez, Kaitlyn Hightower, Jose Hinojosa, Ki’Nya Hughes, Kaylee Hunter, Daziamya Jackson, Mikala Jackson, Remington Jackson, Mallory Johnson, Mariah Jones, Serah Kelly, Aaliyah Kinsey, Azareyah Leeks, Te’Aundrea Lewis, Jonathan Martinez, Laci McRee, Victoria Payton McRee, Kileigh Mixon, Stephanie Molina, Jazyra Moorman, Britney Nguyen, Jakari Nobles, Jada O’Quinn, Brianna Parks, Madison Peebles, Megan Peebles, Giselle Perez, Jake Perkins, Patrick Ream, Madisen Rich, Peyton Rich, Lashone Riddles, Pete Salinas, Richard Sanchez-Luna, Roinashia Sanders, Landen Scott, Lilly Scott, Maddie Tanner, Hope Tant, Licenia Vicente-Mendoza, Eleighana Warren, Caley Wilkerson, Claudia Wilkerson, Kelcy Womack, and Jayvis Woods.
The Dual Enrollment Program allows high school students to receive credit for both high school and college level courses. To be eligible, these students must have a minimum combined score of 970 on the SAT and a 3.0 GPA. The following students participated in this program at East Georgia State College: Mattie Boulineau, Jayson Brown, Lindsey Dalton, Daniella Delgado, Anna Donaldson, Manuel Fernandez, Landon Gay, Ozzie Gonzalez, Nauseen Hall, Nathan Henry, Jose Hernandez, Hayleigh Jordan, Britney Nguyen, Victoria Payton McRee, Garrett Peebles, Madison Peebles, Megan Peebles, Giselle Perez, Evan Rogers, Lilly Scott, Eleighana Warren, Caley Wilkerson, and Jayla Williams.
Students in the Dual Enrollment Program at Southeastern Technical College received dual credit for high school courses and college certificate, diploma, or degree level courses. Those recognized were Jake Bishop, Trinity Brinson, Manuel Bustamante, Ozzie Gonzalez, Brooke Hannah, Mariah Heath, Antoria Hodges, Chloe Mulrooney, Pete Salinas, Jurnei Seabrough, Alexis Smith, Hope Tant, Licenia Vicente-Mendoza, and Claudia Wilkerson.
In addition, any senior who has completed a technical certificate of credit with a C or higher this year or during their four years of high school received a Southeastern Technical College Dual Enrollment Medallion. These students are Jake Bishop, Trinity Brinson, Manuel Bustamante, Brooke Hannah, Mariah Heath, Antoria Hodges, Chloe Mulrooney, Alexis Smith, and Licenia Vicente-Mendoza. Jake Bishop and Chloe Mulrooney were recognized for achieving certification in the area of Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welding.
CORE SUBJECT AWARDS:
The following students earned highest average honors in English/Language Arts:
Jessica Harter for British Literature, Morgan Green for Honors British Literature, and Morgan Green for 4-Year Highest Average in English.
The following students earned highest average honors in Mathematics: Aerin Bazemore for College Readiness Math, Kaylee Hunter for Pre-Calculus, Megan Peebles for Honors Pre-Calculus, and Megan Peebles for 4-Year Highest Average in Mathematics.
The following students earned highest average honors in Science: Kaylee Hunter for Anatomy, Daniella Delgado for Honors Anatomy and 4-Year Highest Average in Science.
The following students earned highest average honors in Social Studies: Peyton Rich for Economics and Lilly Scott for 4-Year Highest Average in Social Studies.
JROTC/FINE ART/PE SUBJECT AWARDS:
Kaitlyn Hightower earned highest average honors in JROTC Leadership Education and Training (LET) IIA. Jessica Harter earned the highest average in LET IIB and Ezra Melton earned highest average in LET IIIB. Hayleigh Jordan was recognized as Cadet of the Year. Hayleigh is committed to GSU’s Reserve Officer Training Corps and will receive a campus-based scholarship. Upon completion of this program, she will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army as an Army Nurse. She currently serves as the SHS JROTC Battalion Commander.
The following students earned highest average honors in Visual Arts: Maddison Andrews for Visual Arts III and Emily DeLaGarza for Visual Arts IV.
Mattie Boulineau earned the highest average in Journalism II. Jessica Harter earned highest average for Journalism III, and Te’Aundrea Lewis earned highest average for Journalism IV.
Jayson Brown earned the highest average in Advanced Band. Jayson was also recognized for earning the title of number one Alto Saxophone player in the state, being selected to the All-State Band and District Honor Band.
Jakari Nobles earned the highest average in Lifetime Sports. Jonorian Foots earned the highest average in Team Sports.
CTAE SUBJECT AWARDS:
Jonorian Foots earned the highest average in Ag Mechanics II. Jose Hernandez earned the highest average in Forestry Science. TaNayshia Sanders earned the highest average in Nursery Landscape.
Lilly Scott earned the highest average in Business Communications. Mariah Jones earned the highest average in Culinary Arts I and Daniella Delgado earned the highest average in Culinary Arts II.
Manuel Fernandez earned the highest average in Engineering Apps.
HONOR GRADUATES:
In order to reach the status of honor graduate, students must maintain an overall academic average of 90 or above throughout high school. They received a gold honor cord to wear at graduation. These 55 students are Chasity Adams, Norberto Aragon, Taliyah Archie, Mattie Boulineau, Jayson Brown, Manuel Bustamante, Katie Carroll, Ol’brionna Coleman, Lindsey Dalton, Daniella Delgado, Anna Donaldson, Manuel Fernandez, Jonorian Foots, Landon Gay, Raven Gladin, Ozzie Gonzalez, Zach Grant, Morgan Green, Nauseen Hall, Achazia Harmon, Jessica Harter, Nathan Henry, Jose Hernandez (salutatorian), Antoria Hodges, Kaylee Hunter, Remington Jackson, Mikala Jackson, Mariah Jones, Hayleigh Jordan, Zach Lee, Azareyah Leeks, Laci McRee, Victoria Payton McRee, Chloe Mulrooney, Britney Nguyen (valedictorian), Jakari Nobles, Garrett Peebles, Madison Peebles, Megan Peebles, Giselle Perez, Peyton Rich, Lashone Riddles, Evan Rogers, Pete Salinas, Richard Sanchez-Luna, Roinashia Sanders, Lillian Scott, Landen Scott, Licenia Vicente-Mendoza, A’Lizia Wadley, Eleighana Warren, Caley Wilkerson, Jayla Williams, and Jayvis Woods.
