It’s graduation time again.
Graduation exercises for the Class of 2023 will take place this Friday, May 26.
This year’s graduation ceremony will be held at 8 p.m. at Bear Stadium.
The ceremony will be open to the general public.
Valedictorian Addison Nicole Cantrell and Salutatorian Cianna Kaley Kicklighter will lead the class of 2023. Contingency plans are in place for inclement weather. (See related story.)
The 230-member PCHS Class of 2023 includes 38 honor graduates.
Cantrell is the daughter of Nick and Melanie Cantrell of Blackshear. She has two brothers, Ashton and Blake and a pet dog, “Bama”.
She is the chairperson of the junior board of directors at First Southern Bank and is a member of the Beta Club and Student Council.
She is also very active with the Literary and One Act teams at PCHS. Cantrell has been active in theater, drama and chorus throughout her four years of high school.
She plans to attend Oglethorpe University near Atlanta after graduation and study acting. She hopes to become an actress.
Cantrell was also this year’s Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) student.
She cites her STAR teacher, Kellie Justice, as one of her biggest supporters and her role model.
“She pushes me to do things I never imagined I could do,” Cantrell said. “Mrs. Justice pushes me to get out of my comfort zone and broaden my horizons. She has been a big part of my academic success.”
Kicklighter is the daughter of Karina Siano and Clay Kicklighter.
Kicklighter has been active throughout her high school career. She is the president of Beta Club and has been active in the club all four years of high school. She is the treasurer of the Junior Board of Directors at First Southern Bank. She serves as reporter for the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).
She is also active with the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and participated in One Act, as well as literary and math tournaments.
Kicklighter plans to attend the University of Georgia and major in fisheries and wildlife.
She hopes to work in research and conservation, zoology and wildlife science.
Kicklighter says her granny, Mary Kicklighter, has been her role model.
“She is a selfless person. She is always thinking of and doing for others. She works hard and teaches respect and does everything with kindness and a heart for others. Granny Kicklighter has always been there for me.”
In addition to Cantrell and Kicklighter, honor graduates include: Mary Beth Emma Chancey, Maria Fernanda Sotello Castillo, Becky Anne Thigpen, Madeline Audrey White, Cadence Amelia Raulerson, Anna Caroline Wheeler, Davis Ward Hersey, Regan Elizabeth Boatright, Elijah Brant Corbett, Brooke Alynda Williams, Emma Kathryn Knowlton, Carrie Elizabeth Crews, Alaina Faith Harvard, Emily Grace Turner, Joseph Garrison Rentz, Owen Richard Roneker, Raegen Olivia Cauthen, Kenzie Olivia Meeks, Jami Leigh Strickland, Lauren Alyssa Wildes, Jaydon Thomas Morris, Maddison Taylor Phillips, Harlee Maddison Costa, Lillie Kate Stipe, Justin Terry Herrin, Marc Spencer Hawkins, Jackson Luke Gambrell, Amber Lee Turner, Hannia Sarai Martinez Torres, Emily Michaela Cooper, Zacharey David Morgan, Colin Joseph Waters, Julia Rose Roberts, Allyson Laurel Sapp, Hannah Faith Emond, Lane Thomas Doss, Ellie MinChun Mattox, Reagan Claire Larson and Ja’khorion Xavier Lavon Harris.
At the graduation ceremony, seniors will enter to “Pomp and Circumstance.” Ja’Khorion Harris will give the welcome and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ellie Mattox will give the inspiration.
Kicklighter will then deliver the salutatory address. The class song, “History” will then be presented by the senior class. Cantrell will then deliver the valedictory address. After her address, Reagan Larson will offer a special recognition.
“Never Grow Up” dedicated to parents of the graduating class, will then be performed by a senior ensemble. Members of the ensemble includes Kallan Aspinwall, Kelly Brewster, Addison Cantrell, Harlee Costa, Lauren Crawford, Emma Dyal, Diana Hamiliton, Justin Herrin, Miya Jinks, Cianna Kicklighter, Jaden Lyons, Mario Lamas, Hayleigh Long Hannia Martinez, Annie Mask, Maddison Phillips, Kaley Robins, Shadana Warren and Amber Turner, Sign Language Interpreter.
Senior class advisors Pamela Baker and John DuPont will present the Class of 2023. Superintendent Dara Bennett and Principal Kelly Murray will present the graduates their diplomas.
Lillie Stipe will give the benediction.
Candidates for graduation for the PCHS class of 2023 include: Jesus Aguilar, Antonio Alejo, Caleb Wade Alexander, Jonah Alexander Allen, Kylie Ann Allen, Hunter Daine Altman, Kayla Nicole Altman, Miranda Arredondo-Rodriguez, Jose Maria Arzate Sierra, Kallan Elizabeth Aspinwall, Ansleigh Denae Barrett, Katie Elizabeth Basile, Austin Bradley Beasley, Quintavien Barnarz Bell, Makayla Nichole Beverley, Taj Kharay Booth Jr., Zoey Iraonia Booth, Allison Paige Bowers, Kelly Elizabeth Brewster, Miracle Modesti Leshae Gabriel Brewton, Aryn Lavette Broadnax, Johnathon Robert Brown, William Walker Brown, Samuel Kole Bryant, Aaliyah Ariana Burse, Davis William Byrd, Matthew Vincent Carter, Elijiah Ander Cason, Jayles Eleshia Chandel, Dylan Tyrone Clark, Patrick Luke Clark, Kaden Jonathan Coleman, Brandon Lee Coon, Mary Kathryn Cox, James Watson Crawford, Lauren Elizabeth Crawford, Kayleigh Brianna Crews, Micah Alexander Crews, Oakley Storm Crews, Sonia Yitanyeli Cruz-Hernandez, Kezia Unique Cummings, Lexie Ann Cunningham, Aaron Connor Davis, Zachary Lee Davis, Matthew Lyn Day, Ellarose Marie Decker, Ella Grace Deloach, Rebecca Ann DeLoach, Amaria Sheree Denton, Halle Marie Dixon, Seth Lee Dixon, Ty Landon Douberly, Emma Katherine Dyal, Charly Espana, Julianna Hope Flynn, Ethan Cline Gardner, Samuel Robert Gardner, Breydon Scott Gay, Haili Ann Gibson, Cole Ivey Gill, Kadence Morrisa Godwin, Julia Katherine Green, Paula Miriam Garcia Gutierrez, Jimarion Jeremiah Guyton, Brianna Cheree Hamilton, Diana Faith Hamilton, Rosston Noel Harris, Paul Loadholt Harter, Kilee Shianne Hayes, Lana Mae Hays, Alyssia Leeann Heath, Jonah Angel Hernandez, Dreama Star Herrington, Tucker Gram Hewett, Eliza Bray Hickox, Gregory Bennett Higginson, Ashleigh Christine Hitchner, Demiree Breanna Hodges, Hannah Logan Hodgkin, Seraphim Noalani Howard, Caleb Lee Howell, Judson Cain Howell, Bonnie Elizabeth Ann Hughes, Matthew Preston Hughes, Seth Allen Hunt, William Spencer Hutcheson, Jordan Marie Insco, Cameron Rae Jarrell, Dylan Wayne Jenkins, De’miyah La’vira Jinks, Allie Reagan Johnson, Ciara Josie-Lee Johnson, Kaden Clay Jones, Alicia Jade Jordan, Saylor Ann Kicklighter, Whitney Leigh King, Ellison Lance Kirkland, Thomas Jordan Lee, Lacy Elaine Leggett, Taliyah Janea Lincoln, My’Ieshia Kime Little, Mario Jr. Llamas-Diaz, Hayleigh Alexus Long, Isael William Lugo, Israel Mayolo Lugo, Kolby Blaze Lynn, Jaden Maurice Lyons, Trent James Markwith, Laura Isela Martinez-Perez, Annie Elizabeth Mask, Patrick Allen McDonald, Kellon Jahleel McMillan, Abigail Marie McQuaig, Robin Hattie Meadows, Daniel Eli Metts, Claire Reagan Miller, Ashley Elizabeth Mincey, Megan Victoria Mobley, Makell Deshon Moody, Trenati Dyzurre’ Moody, Braden Gabriel Morris, Sarah Grace Murphy, Katelyn Abigail Murray, Joshua Newman, Lukas Keith Nicely, Tenia Nicole Oliver, Taylor Renee Owens, Miranda Aileen Parks, Riya Bharat Patel, Soham Ajaykumar Patel, Henry Allen Peagler, Lawton Alexander Peavey, Pedro Pena, Richard Hurbert Perritt V, Michael Pimentel, Jacob Matthew Pittman, Caleb James Raulerson, Trenton Jay Raulerson, Christopher Ethan Renfroe, Alana Michelle Rice, Jace Michael Riggins, Kaley Shalynn Robins, Michael Liam Thayne Ruehlen, Nathan Domonic Rupright, Cayetano Santana-Franco, Maggie Leigh Sapp, Dawson Jade Scurry, Shane Michael Sheffield Jr., Austin Dre Shephard, Conner Ivey Shipes, Mariana Sierra-Arzate, Taylor Jane Sikes, Ashby Delos Simonin, Michael Simon Sims, Alexia Day Smith, Endia Charrae Smith, Faye Michelle Smith, Ray Neisha Tioni Kimya Smith, Billy Austin Sprinkle, Tiffney Paris Starling, Steede Heron Steedley, Seth Allen Stipe, Andrew Isaac Stone, Amber Carol Strickland, Conner Lane Strickland, Natalie Clare Sullivan, Benjamin Richard Swain Jr., Nathan Darrell Swain, Alyssa Joyce Sweat, Madison Olivia Tallent, Kieran Gabriel Tanner, Matthew David Taylor, Emma Faith Thomas, Lorelai Makayla Thompson, Nicholas Mason Thompson, Braden Skyler Thorn, Elijah Griffin Thornton, Morgan Christie Thrift, Brandin Ray Tidwell, Macy Katherine Tippins, Jordan Anthony Tucker, Brandon Lee Vela, Tyler Allan Walker, Shadana Zakari Warren, Landon Jake Weathersby, Jaquez Lee White, Ella Grace Williamson, Cedes Daveigh Woodard and Mason Joseph Woodcock.
