The 2018 Commencement for Russellville High School Graduating Seniors was held Saturday, May 26, at 10am in the Jim Young Gymnasium with a packed house. The traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” was played by the Russellville High School Band as the Graduates followed the Board Members, Administration, teachers, and staff into the gym. The Band also played the National Anthem as the crowd stood. RJSHS Principal, Mr. Ben Bruni, spoke the opening remarks, and 2nd-year math instructor, Mr. Jeremy Bivins, was the guest speaker. Superintendent, Bart Flener, shared some thoughts and gave encouragement to the graduates. RHS Assistant Principal, Mr. Cameron Jackson, presented the Ambassadors; Ms. Medina Tipton, presented the “Coach Matt Tipton Memorial Scholarship” to Miss DeNarria Terry; and Mr. Jimmy Davenport, with Russellville City Council, presented the “deGraffenried Award” to Miss Emma McReynolds. The Top Seniors were recognized: Austin Coursey; Emma McReynolds, Salutatorian; Ashlee Gilbert and Philip Wilkerson, Co-Valedictorians. Superintendent Flener and Board Member, Mr. James C. Milam, announced the confirmation of Graduates, with Mrs. Lauren Fynboe, Senior Coordinator, announcing each name while Principal Bruni presented them their diplomas. Miss Emma McReynolds led the singing for the RHS Alma Mater, and Principal Bruni presented to the crowd the Graduating Class of 2018, followed by the “traditional cap toss”. Graduating Seniors were: Hunter Armistead, Zachary Baskerville, Gabrielle Bellamy, Laskysha Bigbee, Bryce Bollenbecker, Shanda Brown, Cole Celsor, Brock Cleary, Austin Coursey, Devon Craig, Alexis Creek, Victoria Day, Lyndsay Dodson, Corey Dowlen, Akeem Dukes, Kaleigh Epley, Ashlee Gilbert, Taurice Gordon, Skyler Hale, TaJada Hampton, Loren Hendley, Susanna Higgins, Ti' Jara Hunt, Brandon Johns, Rebecca Justice, Alissa Kennedy, Kobe Kerr, William Landaverde, Rachel Lewis, Logan Long, Jacob Lyne, Jacolbie Mason, Emma McReynolds, Israel Melchor-Campos, MyKayla Merrell, Shailyn Milan, Connie Mireles, Ethan Moore, Madison Morrow, William Mullen, Jailin Munday, Luis Pacheco-Ramirez, Ann Katherine Paul, Carleigh Phillips, Gabriella Poirier, Dillon Porter, Devin Quarles, Julyza Ramirez Cruz, Miguel Ramirez, Tabien Richardson, Tahjae Richardson, Javaren Robey, Fernanda Rodriguez, Seirra Rose, Rebecca Ross, Katelin Shultz, Megan Simpson, Antonesha Spaulding, Tristan Stratton, Alexandria Suiter, Nelson Suiter, DeNarria Terry, Lily Thompson, Kristin Vanzant, Angela Whitmer, Phillip Wilkerson, Lucinda Wilkinson, Adam Williams, Brittany Williams, Victoria Williams, and Dondrejus Woodard. Congratulations, Class of 2018! We R Proud!
(see additional photos on our facebook page!)