Kiwanis recognizes Crenshaw County honor graduates
Published 12:31 pm Monday, April 29, 2024
Brantley School honor graduates are valedictorian Ansley Brunson, salutatorian Marcus Mayes, Leslyie Alonzo, Emma Berry, Kenya Clayton, Mary Driggers, Elli Knighten, Annah Parker Little, Katie Moates, Kendal Nichols, Kaitlyn Piggott, Hope Richardson, Alyviah, Stoutmire and Thomas Williamson.
Crenshaw Christian Academy honor graduates are (from left to right) valedictorian Abbigail Vickery, salutatorian Zadie Burgans and Drake Mills.
Guest speaker, Becky Cornelius, inspires Crenshaw County graduates at the Kiwanis Club’s luncheon. Pictured are (left to right) Dale Shepherd, Cornelius, Crenshaw County Schools Superintendent Dodd Hawthorne, and Kiwanis president Kyle Richburg.
Guest speaker, Becky Cornelius, inspires Crenshaw County graduates at the Kiwanis Club’s luncheon.
Highland Home School honor graduates are valedictorian Abbie Herring, salutatorian Robert Duett, Marleigh Burkett, Madeline Crowe, Andrew Herring, Austin Herring, Addison Hussey, Bailey Kelley, Madison Means, Brice McKenzie, Tyler Patterson, Joshua Peters, Victoria Smith, Emma Strength, Jaiden Tidwell, Samantha White, Amber Wilkinson, Avery Williams and Sherman Williams.
Luverne School honor graduates are valedictorian Carson Simmons, salutatorian Wyatt Cornett, Turner Claybrook, Jacob Crum, JaMarcus Davison, Aderion Foster, Crimson Hale, Nathaniel Harper, Taylor Hermeling, Jordan Johnson, Mason Miller, Avaughna Packer, Zyan Peterson, Ariel Phillips, Nemi Poole, Madisonn Price, Dante Smith, Malik Wilson and Saraniah Xiong.
By Lanell Downs Smith
For over 30 years, the Luverne Kiwanis Club has showcased Crenshaw County honor graduates with an annual lunch. Keeping with the longstanding tradition, members hosted honor graduates from the Class of 2024 with a luncheon held April 17 in the Luverne Church of Christ Fellowship Hall.
Featuring guest speaker, Becky Cornelius, the luncheon commenced at noon and club president Kyle Ricgburg said events like the luncheon are what Kiwanis is all about.
“We like to recognize our students that do well and achieve,” Richburg said. “They need to be acknowledged and encouraged.”
Cornelius is a graduate of Luverne High School and Troy University who is a health science specialist and HOSA advisor for the Alabama State Department of Education. A product of Crenshaw County schools, she inspired graduates with her Top-10 tips for success in their next steps, whether those be on the road to college or the path to a career.
“I’m definitely proud to say I am from Luverne and Crenshaw County,” Cornelius told graduates. “It is my pleasure to be part of such a special day where you are being recognized as an honor graduate from your school.
“I encourage you today to do whatever it is that you may choose to do in your life to the fullest extent. It is said that success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you’re doing, you will be successful, so, go out into the world and enable yourself through a strong work ethic.”
Top performers from Luverne School, Highland Home School, Crenshaw Christian Academy and Brantley School received awards presented by Richburg and Crenshaw County Schools Superintendent Dodd Hawthorne.
Hawthorne, who is also a Kiwanian, described the honor of recognizing outstanding local students.
“Any time that we can honor our graduates and recognize them for their accomplishments, especially the honor students who have worked so hard to reach this milestone, I think it is a great opportunity,” Hawthorne said. “I thank Kiwanis for hosting the luncheon. We appreciate it.”
Casey Cothran brough 17 of Highland Home School’s 19 honor students to the luncheon and said she felt proud to see their hard work acknowledged.
“I think it was an honor for them to receive that kind of validation, [knowing] that their hard work paid off,” Cothran said. “They felt accomplished to be able to get there.”
According to Richburg, the luncheon is supported with fundraisers like the club’s annual golf tournament, which was held April 10. The meal was catered by local favorite restaurant, the Chicken Shack.
Photos by Lanell Smith
