Swainsboro High School held its annual senior honors program on Thursday, May 14, in the auditorium. Students who have exceeded expectations during the last four years were awarded with scholarships, recognitions, and distinctions. The ceremony began with Brittany Waters and Marcus Watkins as the program’s openers.
SPECIAL AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS:
As valedictorian of the graduating class, Kylee Farley received the American Legion School Award. Zybrionna Ford earned the award for Military Excellence, and Jalaya Freeman took home the award for Scholastic Excellence.
Yasmin Rios received the Daughters of the American Revolution Award, which the local chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution gives annually. The honor recognizes a senior who exemplifies outstanding citizenship overall.
Sponsored by Coca-Cola, the Coca-Cola Principal’s Choice Award acknowledges the two top students in the senior class for their academic excellence. This year, Kylee Farley and Yasmin Rios were its recipients.
For achieving the highest SAT score in a single sitting, Kylee Farley was recognized as a STAR Student. Farley chose Band Director Lindy Sikes as her STAR Teacher.
Zybrionna Ford was recognized as the 12th-grade winner of the Young Georgia Authors Writing Contest. It is open to any student enrolled in a Georgia public school and no prompt is provided.
Recognized as Exchange Club Youths of the Year for SHS, Kali Screws and Maddox Robertson stood out for strong character, leadership, academic performance, and service. Screws also placed 2nd in the county contest, earning an Exchange Club Scholarship.
Swainsboro High School honored students who have chosen to serve their country by enlisting in the Georgia Army National Guard. Demonstrating dedication, leadership, and a willingness to answer the call to service, these students were celebrated during the ceremony: Elazashia Devezin, Joseph Esparza, Zybrionna Ford, Jalaya Freeman, Jeremiah Herrington, Dre Hill, Christian Kirkland, Justin Leverette, Aiyana Plourde, De’Avion Rountree, and Estrella Sanchez. Congratulations are in order for their commitment to both the community and our nation.
Dr. Denise Warnock, Superintendent of Emanuel County Schools, recognized Yi’zhariah Bell, Graci Beneteau, and Maddox Robertson as members of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council. This group of students meets with Dr. Warnock throughout the year to serve as liaisons between the Emanuel County Board of Education and students in our school system.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
Dakota Bravo was recognized for signing a letter of intent to cheer at Brewton-Parker Christian University. Tra’myra Brown was recognized for signing a letter of intent to play soccer at BPCU. Ka’Dorian Benjamin was recognized for signing a letter of intent to play football at Georgia State University. LJ Morgan and Aacaylah Murphy were recognized for signing a letter of intent to play basketball at Andrew College.
Maddox Robertson 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. Maddox also 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.
Alexus Mercer and Yovana Hernandez were awarded Altamaha EMC Foundation Scholarships. Yasmin Rios was awarded the Jefferson Energy Cooperative Foundation Scholarship.
Brittany Waters was awarded the first annual Dr. Frank B. Flanders SHS FFA Scholarship. Yasmin Rios was awarded the Emanuel County Family Connection Scholarship. The Matthew Anders Memorial Scholarship was presented to Kason Edenfield.
Marcus Watkins 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.
Elazashia Devezin and JaRon Johnson received Erma Wakefield Jenkins Scholarships.
The Missouri Canady Dudley Scholarship is awarded each year to a student planning to major in business or communications. This year’s recipient is Rory Reynolds. Rory was also recognized as the winner of the Julian and Jan Hester Scholarship sponsored by Durden Bank.
Maddox Robertson was presented the Ricky Gilmer Memorial Scholarship, which is given in memory of Ricky Gilmer, a 1975 graduate of SHS. Maddox was also named 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.
Kylie Brown was presented with the Bobby Andrews Memorial Scholarship, awarded in memory of the late SHS basketball coach, to a member of the current basketball program.
Yovana Hernandez received the Alpha Kappa Alpha Nu Upsilon Omega Chapter Scholarship. This award promotes women's education and is sponsored by AKA, the nation’s oldest historically African American sorority.
Yasmin Rios, Maddox Robertson, and Kali Screws were named recipients of the Coach Cornelia Jackson Foundation Scholarship in memory of the late SHS teacher/coach, who believed in empowering youth through education.
The Robby Roberts Foundation Scholarships were presented by Kristin Hall to Yovana Hernandez, JaRon Johnson, Maddox Robertson, and Kali Screws.
Terralynn Brinson received the Taylor Nicole Hooks Memorial Scholarship, awarded in memory of the late ECI Class of 2016 graduate. She is also the recipient of the Altamaha EM Foundation Scholarship. Terralynn also received the Foundation for Rural Service Scholarship.
Kason Edenfield and Brianna Gilmore 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.
Yovana Hernandez and Kali Screws were awarded Emanuel County Women' s League Scholarships. Terralynn Brinson and Marcus Watkins received the Eloise Vining Scholarship. Marcus also received the Black Women of Profession Scholarship.
Kylee Farley 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.
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 a GPA of at least 3.7 and a score of 1200 in critical reading and math in one sitting of the SAT, or a composite score of 26 on the ACT in one sitting. The following students received this funding: Kylee Farley (Valedictorian), Yasmin Rios (Salutatorian), Ricky Chen, JaRon Johnson, Rory Reynolds, Jenna Roberson, Maddox Robertson, Sophia Sanders, and Jayson Wynn.
DISTINCTIONS:
The National Art Honor Society recognizes students who have shown an outstanding ability in art. They have maintained an A average in art for 2 or more years and have volunteered their services to both SHS and the community. The following students received cords for this distinction: Leah Brown, Michael Black, Alexis Haywood, Emily Holden, and Ivy Lin.
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: Jimmy Aguilar, Lauri Allen, Jennifer Ambrosio, Yi’zhariah Bell, Gracie Beneteau, Quinia Boynton, Dakota Bravo, Terralynn Brinson, Kylie Brown, Hayden Burke, Rashad Clarke, Chase Coxwell, Sarah Coxwell, Kynslie Crapps, Ziah Davis, Elazashia Devezin, Kason Edenfield, Kylee Farley, Aiden Foskey, Jalaya Freeman, Brianna Gilmore, Yovana Hernandez, JaRon Johnson, Peyton Mason, Alexus Mercer, Emily Miller, Jake Palmer, Marisol Puente-Silva, Rory Reynolds, Yasmin Rios, Maddox Robertson, Laynie Scott, Kali Screws, Natalie Sellers, Ke’Daysia Smith, Makayla Stapleton, Kayleiana Swilley, Morgan Terry, Jody Warner, Marcus Watkins, Ja’Reese Williams, Miley Williford, and Jayson Wynn.
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 that includes submitting letters of recommendation and a private interview to be selected for the board. These students have the opportunity to receive leadership training and take part in several community service activities. The following students received cords for their participation on this board: Gracie Beneteau, Terralynn Brinson, Hayden Burke, Kason Edenfield, Aiden Foskey, Jalaya Freeman, Gabbi Hayes, JaRon Johnson, Peyton Mason, Yasmin Rios, Maddox Robertson, Kali Screws, and Marcus Watkins.
Future Business Leaders of America cords were awarded to 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 community service, chapter involvement, and leadership. Those who received cords are Lauri Allen, Gracie Beneteau, Kylie Brown, Hayden Burke, Dazia Cuyler, Elazashia Devezin, Christian Ford, Brianna Gilmore, Yovana Hernandez, RJ Johnson, Josie Lutz, Rajiah Richards, Spencer Tarver, Morgan Terry, Aquarri Tillman, Lucas Weber, Jayvien Walker, and Alajah Wesby. In addition, students who completed all four levels of the Business Achievement Awards program were awarded stoles: Lauri Allen, Christian Ford, and Dazia Cuyler.
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 can save three lives. The following students received red cords: Jimmy Aguilar, Lauri Allen, Jordi Armstrong, Ja’Zyria Bell, Gracie Beneteau, Ka’Dorian Benjamin, Quinia Boynton, Kendra Breese, Terralynn Brinson, Austin Brooks, Hayden Burke, Thais Bustamante, Caleb Castro, Tykeria Cross, Dazia Cuyler, Elazashia Devezin, Kason Edenfield, Brandon Farley, Caleb Ferrell, Patience Flores, Christian Ford, Raphael Ford, Zybrionna Ford, Kirsten Fortescue, Baylie Gregory, Gabbi Hayes, Laurie Hendrix, Jeremiah Herrington, Dre Hill, Salycia Jackson, Nykeria Johnson, RJ Johnson, Laja Lovett, Josie Lutz, Emily Miller, Jake Palmer, Aiyana Plourde, Wesley Reese, Rory Reynolds, Rajiah Richards, Maddox Robertson, Courtney Rowland, Laynie Scott, Sadie Self, Natalie Sellers, Arturo Wilton-Serralde, Jayden Spearman, Aquarri Tillman, Preston Varner, Roksana Vicente-Mendoza, Jayvien Walker, Kencerio Walker, Brittany Waters, Marcus Watkins, Brinzlei Webb, Alajah Wesby, Miley Williford, Karmen Wood, and Tyler Woodford.
Membership in the Quill & Scroll Honor Society recognizes student achievement in journalism and school publication. Terralynn Brinson and Rory Reynolds earned cords for this distinction.
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. The following members received cords: Jennifer Ambrosio, Terralynn Brinson, Gracie Beneteau, Kylie Brown, Gabbi Hayes, Rory Reynolds, Yasmin Rios, Estrella Sanchez, Laynie Scott, Kayleiana Swilley, and Alajah Wesby.
Students who have been active Future Farmers of America (members and competed in multiple FFA competitions are eligible to receive honor cords. The following students earned this distinction: Kynslie Crapps, Gwenasia Gardner, Gavin Glisson, Justin Leverette, and Brittany Waters.
Dakota Bravo received a cord for exceptional leadership and participation in the Technology Student Association.
21st Century Leaders aim to build the next generation of leaders by providing young people with training, guidance, and encouragement to enter college and the workforce with highly developed leadership skills. The local chapter is sponsored by Nordson. These students received cords for their participation: Gracie Beneteau, Kynslie Crapps, Zybrionna Ford, Aiyana Plourde, Rajiah Richards, Terralynn Brinson, Elazashia Devezin, Yovana Hernandez, Rory Reynolds, and Yasmin Rios.
Four students completed the Fellowship of Christian Athletes discipleship training program, Engage, Equip & Empower. These students served as certified FCA senior leaders throughout the school year. Earning cords and stoles were Kylie Brown, Hayden Burke, Kayleiana Swilley, and Brittany Waters.
The following students received cords for their dedication and participation in the Career Technical Instruction conferences at the local and state levels: Michael Black, Kenny Brabazon, Tra’myra Brown, Dayvion Douglas, Raphael Ford, Rhianna Guyton, Kaleb Lewis, Josie Lutz, Colton Pelfrey, Sadie Self, Faith Turner, Aiden VanDorsten, Ja’Reese Williams, and Tyler Williams.
The following students earned cords for their participation in Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA): Gabbi Hayes and Tatyanna Hales.
Students who have been active in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and participated in multiple FFA competitions received cords for this distinction. They are Kynslie Crapps, Gwenasia Gardner, Gavin Glisson, Justin Leverette, and Brittany Waters.
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
Elazashia Devezin, Zybrionna Ford, Jalaya Freeman, Gwenasia Gardner, Jeremiah Herrington, Josie Lutz, De’Avion Rountree, Estrella Sanchez, and Preston Varner.
Students who achieved a 3.5 GPA or higher also received stoles. These students are Elazashia Devezin, Zybrionna Ford, Jalaya Freeman, Jeremiah Herrington, and Preston Varner.
Several students were also recognized for their enlistment. Those enlisted in the Army National Guard are Elazashia Devezin, Joseph Esparza, Zybrionna Ford, Jalaya Freeman, Jeremiah Herrington, Dre Hill, Christian Kirkland, Justin Leverette, Aiyana Plourde, De’Avion Rountree, and Estrella Sanchez.
Band students who were enrolled in band for at least one semester per year earned a cord for membership in the Tri-M Music Honor Society. These students are Jimmy Aguilar, Jennifer Ambrosio, Quinia Boynton, Marisol Castaño, Chase Coxwell, Sarah Coxwell, Kynslie Crapps, Ziah Davis, Kylee Farley, Christian Ford, Yovana Hernandez, JaRon Johnson, Michael Johnson, Justin Leverette, Maygen Lopez, Laja Lovett, Emily Miller, Sara Palmore, Yasmin Rios, Estrella Sanchez, Sophia Sanders, Jacob Silva, Jayden Spearman, Brinzlei Webb, Ja’Reese Williams, Tyler Woodford, and Jayson Wynn.
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. We will recognize students with cords representing the pathway they completed.
The following students completed the Engineering Pathway: Austin Brooks, Kenyen Livingston, Deshawn Shanks, Jayden Spearman, Jayvien Walker.
The following students completed the Culinary Arts Pathway: Kylie Brown, Tra’myra Brown, Thaise Bustamante, Dazia Cuyler, Ziah Davis, Brianna Gilmore, Tatyanna Hales, Gabbi Hayes, Laurie Hendrix, Dre Hill, Emily Holden, Jamariya Howard, Saly-C-ia Jackson, Michael Johnson, Nykeria Johnson, Danny Lin, Ivy Lin, Laja Lovett, Raelyn Oglesby, Sara Palmore, Rajiah Richards, Tabitha Rowland, Jacob Sutherland, Alexis Swans, Spencer Tarver, Faith Turner, Roksana Vicente-Mendoza, Deontae Walker, Brinzlei Webb, Ja’mya Worthen, Deshawn Shanks, and Karmen Wood.
The following students completed an Agriculture Pathway:
Ja’Zyria Bell, Kendra Breese, Austin Brooks, Marisol Castaño, Ricky Chen, Jaylen Clark, Rashad Clarke, Tyler Coleman, Kayla Crabb, Kynslie Crapps, Tykeria Cross, Kason Edenfield, Kirsten Fortescue, Gwenasia Gardner, Gavin Glisson, Dre Hill, Saly-C-ia Jackson, Robert Johnson, Christian Kirkland, Justin Leverette, Kenyen Livingston, Maygen Lopez, Isabella Martinez, Ayden McCain, Reagan McKenzie, Jake Palmer, Wesley Reese, Blaze Riner, Jenna Roberson, Natalie Sellers, Roksana Vicente-Mendoza, Jody Warner, Ja’Kyan Watson, Brittany Waters, and Mikendy Webb.
The following students completed the Business & Technology Pathway: Lauri Allen, Jennifer Ambrosio, Jordi Armstrong, Ja’Zyria Bell, Yi’zhariah Bell, Dakota Bravo, Damariona Brayboy, Aneshia Brown, Hayden Burke, Natalee Bush, Thais Bustamante, Caleb Castro, Elazashia Devezin, Joseph Esparza, Caleb Ferrell, Christian Ford, Raphael Ford, Baylie Gregory, Rhianna Guyton, Alexis Haywood, Yovana Hernandez, Jeremiah Herrington, JaRon Johnson, Tameeyah Kingsberry, Danny Lin, Ivy Lin, Alexus Mercer, Sara Palmore, Marisol Puente-Silva, Briandra Rainey, De’Avion Rountree, Kali Screws, Kaalyn Seays, Deshawn Shanks, Ke’Daysia Smith, Zaiden Smith, Makayla Stapleton, Kayleiana Swilley, Millie Tarver, Spencer Tarver, Morgan Terry, Aiden VanDorsten, Preston Varner, Roksana Vicente-Mendoza, Jayvien Walker, Jody Warner, Lucas Weber, Ja’Reese Williams, Miley Williford, Karmen Wood, and Keyshun Young.
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 core GPA of at least 3.0.The following students participated in this program at Georgia Southern University-East Georgia Campus, formerly East Georgia State College: Yi’zhariah Bell, Dakota Bravo, Terralynn Brinson, Kylie Brown, Hayden Burke, Ricky Chen, Kayden Childs, Chase Coxwell, Sarah Coxwell, Kayla Crabb, Kylee Farley, Aiden Foskey, Brianna Gilmore, Yovana Hernandez, Saly-C-ia Jackson, Maygen Lopez, Peyton Mason, Emily Miller, Rory Reynolds, Yasmin Rios, Jenna Roberson, Maddox Robertson, Sophia Sanders, Laynie Scott, Kali Screws, Makayla Stapleton, Kayleiana Swilley, Morgan Terry, Aiden VanDorsten, Brittany Waters, Miley Williford, and Jayson Wynn.
Students in the Dual Enrollment Program at Southeastern Technical College received a Certificate of Achievement if they completed one or more classes with a C or better. These students are: Jimmy Aguilar, Jordi Armstrong, Gracie Beneteau, Dakota Bravo, Damariona Brayboy, Austin Brooks, Jaylen Clark, Kayla Crabb, Yovana Hernandez, Tameeyah Kingsberry, Kenyen Livingston, Jaylin Reynolds, Rory Reynolds, Ishmael Robinson, Jayden Spearman, Makayla Stapleton, Kayleiana Swilley, and Morgan Taylor.
Seniors who completed a Technical Certificate of Credit, or 12 or more credit hours during their four years of high school, received a Certificate of Achievement along with a Southeastern Technical College Dual Enrollment Honor Cord. These students are: Lauri Allen, Jennifer Ambrosio, Desmond Archie, Madison Bell, Quinia Boynton, Kendra Breese, Terralynn Brinson, Aneisha Brown, Natalee Bush, Rashad Clark, Rhett Crabb, Ziah Davis, Elazashia Devezin, Jalaya Freeman, Gavin Glisson, Baylie Gregory, Tatyanna Hales, Jamariya Howard, Sarah Jimenez, Robert Johnson, Blake Lane, Isabella Martinez, Reagan McKenzie, Alexus Mercer, Aacaylah Murphy, Kaalyn Seays, Ke’Daysia Smith, Zaiden Smith, Alexis Swans, Spencer Tarver, Aquarri Tillman, Jody Warner, and Ja’mya Worthen.
Seniors who earned 30 or more credit hours with a grade of C or higher were awarded a certificate, an honor cord, and a medal: Millie Tarver and Arturo Wilton-Serralde.
CORE SUBJECT AWARDS:
The following students earned highest average honors in English/Language Arts:
Jayson Wynn for Literature/Composition IV, Blaze Riner for Honors British Literature, and Gracie Beneteau for Journalism. Ricky Chen earned the award for 4-Year Highest Average in English.
The following students earned the highest average honors in Mathematics: Estrella Sanchez in College Readiness Math, JaRon Johnson in Pre-Calculus, and Blaze Riner in Honors Pre-Calculus. Sophia Sanders earned the award for 4-Year Highest Average in Mathematics.
The following students earned the highest average honors in Science: Brittany Waters for Anatomy and Ricky Chen for Honors Anatomy. Maddox Robertson earned the award for 4-Year Highest Average in Science.
The following students earned the highest average honors in Social Studies: Natalie Sellers for Personal Finance/Economics and Alexus Mercer for Honors Personal Finance/Economics. Ricky Chen earned the award for 4-Year Highest Average in Social Studies.
JROTC/FINE ART/CTAE/PE SUBJECT AWARDS:
Josie Lutz earned the highest average in JROTC LET 3 Bravo. Aiyana Plourde earned the highest average in JROTC LET 4 Alpha. Zybrionna Ford earned the highest average in JROTC LET 4 Bravo. Alyssa McGee was recognized as Most Improved Cadet. Zybrionna Ford was awarded the JROTC Leadership Award.
Emily Holden earned the highest average in Art III.
Kylee Farley earned the highest average in Advanced Band.
Lazaria Webb earned the highest average in Forestry Science.
Ricky Chen earned the highest average in Business & Technology.
Yi’zhariah Bell earned the highest average in Business Communications.
Marcus Watkins earned the highest average in Team Sports.
HONOR GRADUATES:
To earn the honor graduate status, students must maintain an overall academic average of 90 or higher throughout high school. The following students earned this distinction and received gold honor cords to wear at graduation: Lauri Allen, Jennifer Ambrosio, Jordi Armstrong, Yi’zhariah Bell, Gracie Beneteau, Ka’Dorian Benjamin, Dakota Bravo, Terralynn Brinson, Austin Brooks, Kylie Brown, Hayden Burke, Natalee Bush, Marisol Castaño, Ricky Chen, Kayden Childs, Rashad Clarke, Chase Coxwell, Sarah Coxwell, Kayla Crabb, Kynslie Crapps, Elazashia Devezin, Kason Edenfield, Zybrionna Ford, Aiden Foskey, Jalaya Freeman, Brianna Gilmore, Tatyanna Hales, Gabbi Hayes, Laurie Hendrix, Yovana Hernandez, Dre Hill, Emily Holden, JaRon Johnson, Tameeyah Kingsberry, Christian Kirkland, Justin Leverette, Danny Lin, Ivy Lin, Maygen Lopez, Peyton Mason, Reagan McKenzie, Alexus Mercer, Emily Miller, LJ Morgan, Aacaylah Murphy, Marisol Puente-Silva, Rory Reynolds, Blaze Riner, Jenna Roberson, Maddox Robertson, Sophia Sanders, Laynie Scott, Kali Screws, Natalie Sellers, Ke’Daysia Smith, Jayden Spearman, Makayla Stapleton, Alexis Swans, Kayleiana Swilley, Mille Tarver, Morgan Terry, Kyla Thomas, Aiden VanDorsten, Jayvien Walker, Deontae Walker, Jody Warner, Brittany Waters, Marcus Watkins, Ja’Reese Williams, Miley Williford, Arturo Wilton-Serralde, Tyler Woodford, and Jayson Wynn.
The salutatorian for the Class of 2026 is Yasmin Rios, and the valedictorian is Kylee Farley.
