DeKalb County High School has set graduation for Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. on the high school football field.
The commencement program will feature the presentation of the White Rose and Citizenship Awards to members of the Class, a performance by the DCHS Chorus, and remarks by the Class Valedictorian Julia Little and Class President Kelsey Hedge. Honor students will also be recognized by Guidance Counselors Lori Myrick and Shelly Painter including those who have earned top rank, honors, and distinction status. The DCHS band will perform the processional and recessional. Principal Patrick Cripps will make brief comments and present the class to Interim Director of Schools Dr. Danielle Collins, who will then award diplomas to the graduates as their names are called. The invocation and benediction will be given by FCA members Bailey Hayes and Lane Ball respectively.
Meanwhile, Scholarships and other awards will be presented to members of the Class of 2015 during Senior Awards Night on Monday, May 18 at 6:00 p.m. at DCHS. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.
A total of 184 students make up the Class of 2015 at DCHS including the following.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW PHOTOS OF GRADUATES. NOTE THERE ARE FOUR PAGES OF PHOTOS. BE SURE TO CLICK EACH PICTURE TO OBTAIN A LARGER VIEW OF THE GRADUATE AND TO READ HIS OR HER NAME)
http://www.wjle.com/graduation-2015-page-1
Lena Santos Sosa-Ackerman, Carrie Lee Adams, Rachel Elizabeth Adcock, Shara Cate Adcock, Kevin Aldino, Raymundo Alfaro, Charles James Allen, Jennifer Rose Angaran
Rayanna Carol Baker, Austin Lane Ball, Jonathon Lance Ball, Tanisha Danielle Bandy, Tara Renee Bandy, Olivia Hope Bain-Barber, Alexis Leshae Barnwell, William Scales Barry, Justin Tyler Bass, Issac Corbin Beck, Rebecca Marie Benshoof, Troy A. Binkley, Kathryn Grace Blair, John Bailey Bly, Justin Michael Bone, Luke Collin Boss, John Tyler Bradford, Calum Micheal Braswell, Kelsey Nicole Braswell, Austin Jacobs Brown, Ricardo Allan Brown, Erin Nichole Burchfield, Leah Brooke Burchfield, Brittany Autumn Burke
Cayla Cheyanne Cantrell, David Austin Cantrell, Richard Dylan Cantrell, Caroline Caplinger, William Michael Caplinger, Erin Nichole Casselberry, Wendy Anne Cassinera, Brandon Tyler Chapman, Franco Clavel, Taylor Michael Cook, Michael Alan Coronado, Chase Crane, Loren Jane Cripps, Preston Cripps, Tiffany Culwell, Megan Lynn Cunningham, Benjamin Ty Curtis
Lenzi Dickens, Jalene Dilligard, Richard Dishman, Savannah Kate Driver,
Dakoda Eaton, Brandon Elandt, Austin Ellis, Taylor Ellis,
Michael Lee Ferguson, Corey Christopher Ferrell, Matthew Tyler Florida, Matthew Dakota Foutch,
Mackenzie Lauren Gann, Sydnie Laura Garmer, Dakota Dawn Gaskill, Josue Guadalupe Muniz Godinez, Erasmo Garcia Godinez, Dylan James Goodman, Brooke Ann Goodson, Kelley Dawn Goodwin, Joan Emiliano Gopar, Shelby Greco, Dustin Lee Griffith, Ronald Gutierrez
Aaron Jared Haggard, Natasha Ann Halcomb, Austin Clyde Hale, Haley Marie Hale, Jacob Ryan Hale, Paul Drake Harris, Clint Allen Hawker, Bailey Thomas Hayes, Samantha Blair Hayes, Kelsey Sueanna Hedge, Brady Ray Herriott, Austin Ryan Hicks, Rachel Danielle Holcomb, Nicole Anastasia Hunt
Alyssia Elizabeth Jackson, Chelsea Faith Johnson, Daniel Lynn Johnson, Eric Quinton Johnson, Justin Neal Johnson, Joseph Alan Jones, Mariah Faith Jones, Hannah Marie Judkins
Kara Paige Kanipe
Brandon Robert Leiser, Julia Ellyn Little
Idalia Alejandra Ortega Maciel, Robert Heath Maples, Jadon Shane Marlar, Kaitlyn Brooke Martin, Tayler Brooke Martin, Nathan Ray Mathis, Zackary Bryce Maxwell, Anna Marie May, Michael Anthony May, Destiney Page McCardell, Micah Brey Merriman, Sharazzia On’ya Mills, Rachel Dawn Mofield, Kenzie M’Lynn Morris, Jonathan E. Munoz, Tyler Wayne Murphy
Nathaniel Alexander Nabors
Cason Damon Oakley, Courtney Danielle Odom, Kalob O’Neal, Jacquelyn Rae Overbey
Cody Marshall Pack, Joseph David Pack, Kristyn Bailey Pack, Nicholas Shane Parsley, Aaron Scott Patterson, Allison Hope Patton, Monica Loren Pedigo, Elisabet Martinez-Perez, Shayla Kristine Pedigo, Kendall Lynn Petty, Brianna Lea Phillips, Elijah Scott Porterfield, Bethany Brooke Poss, John Logan Poss, William Henry Puckett
Jose Guadalupe Quintero
Makayla Korene Redmon, Brooke Nicole Reffue, Zachary Donald Roberts, Emily Kay Robinson, Brooke Danielle Roller, John Everette Roller, Erin Leigh Rose, Makalee Beth Ruch, Bethany May Louise Russell, Talon Russell
Heather Jewel Scott, Harlli Whyte Silcox, Grant Alexander Smelcer,IV, Oscar Joel Soto, Kamien Leshay Sparks, Taylor Jayne Stacey, Makayla Beth Starnes, Emilee Kay Stephens, Hunter Jantz Stone, Nathan Edwin Stringer
Autumn Colleen Taylor, Keira Taylor, Kathleen Nicole Thomas, Ethan James Thomason, Peyton Alexander Thompson, Jose Luis Guadalupe Tierranegra Saldivar, Austin Blayne Tittel, Lydia Danielle Trail, Charles Anthony Tramel, Daniel Alexander Trigueros, Kierra Demia Tubbs, Chase Lee Turner, Darrian Lanay Turner, Jordan Marie Turner, Mackenley Dale Turner
Nicholas Tyler Vanatta, Amanda Jane Vincent, Victoria Brooke Vincent
Cody M. Wagner, Dustin Jay Warner, Jacob Heath Washer, Caitlyn Autumn Williams, Katherine Jo Willoughby, Donald Bruce Wilson, Sirus James Wilson, Jeffrey Womack
Charles Jeffery Young, Peyton Kyle Young, and Bobby Lee Yount

State lawmakers hosted a luncheon today at the White Possum Grille (Thursday) to honor the DCHS Class of 2015 Valedictorian Julia Little and Salutatorian MaKalee Ruch
Both Little and Ruch were formally presented copies of resolutions paying tribute to them as adopted in the State House of Representatives and State Senate and signed by the Governor. The presentations were made by State Senator Mae Beavers and State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver and Mark Pody. DCHS Principal Patrick Cripps and Director of Schools Danielle Collins also attended the luncheon.
The resolutions were approved in the State House by a vote of 97 to 0 and 31 to 0 in the State Senate.
The resolution honoring Little is as follows:
“A RESOLUTION to honor and recognize Julia Little, 2015 Valedictorian of DeKalb County High School.
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should pause to pay tribute to those students who, through their natural talents and unflagging commitment to academic excellence, have distinguished themselves in the classroom; and
WHEREAS, Julia Little is one such exceptional student, who was recently named Valedictorian of the 2015 graduating class at DeKalb County High School; and
WHEREAS, through diligent study, steady composure during examinations, and steadfast commitment of time and talent, Julia achieved outstanding academic success and joined the ranks of the best and brightest students in Tennessee and our country; and
WHEREAS, in her remarkable high school career, Julia earned an exemplary grade point average while participating in a number of clubs, including Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Science Club, and Spanish Club; and
WHEREAS, Julia’s display of intellectual aptitude and ambition surely bodes well for her future success as a student at Tennessee Technological University; and
WHEREAS, Julia’s noteworthy achievement is a tremendous source of pride for her parents, Scott Little and Kristin Raymond, her school, and her community; and
WHEREAS, Julia Little’s dedication to excellence is clearly deserving of the respect, admiration, and commendation of the members of this legislative body; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that we hereby commend and honor the 2015 DeKalb County High School Valedictorian, Julia Little, on her impressive academic achievement and extend to her our best wishes for a happy, successful future.
The resolution honoring Ruch is as follows:
“A RESOLUTION to honor and recognize Makalee Ruch, 2015 Salutatorian of DeKalb County High School.
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should pause to pay tribute to those students who, through their natural talents and unflagging commitment to academic excellence, have distinguished themselves in the classroom; and
WHEREAS, Makalee Ruch is one such exceptional student, who was recently named Salutatorian of the 2015 graduating class at DeKalb County High School; and
WHEREAS, through diligent study, steady composure during examinations, and steadfast commitment of time and talent, Makalee achieved outstanding academic success and joined the ranks of the best and brightest students in Tennessee and our country; and
WHEREAS, in her remarkable high school career, Makalee earned an exemplary grade point average while participating in a number of activities, including being a member of the student council, Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, and Science Club; and
WHEREAS, Makalee’s display of intellectual aptitude and ambition surely bodes well for her future success as a student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and
WHEREAS, Makalee’s noteworthy achievement is a tremendous source of pride for her parents, Joe and Melissa Ruch, her school, and her community; and
WHEREAS, Makalee Ruch’s dedication to excellence is clearly deserving of the respect, admiration, and commendation of the members of this legislative body; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that we hereby commend and honor the 2015 DeKalb County High School Salutatorian, Makalee Ruch, on her impressive academic achievement and extend to her our best wishes for a happy, successful future.

The DeKalb County Tigerettes claimed the Region Tournament Championship with a 3-0 win over Macon County Wednesday evening in Smithville.
The Tigerettes scored three runs on eight hits and made three errors. Macon County was held scoreless on five hits and made no errors. All three Tigerette runs came in the third inning.
Kayley Caplinger pitched a shutout through seven innings. She gave up five hits, struck out eight, and walked none.

Tyra Graham and Kayley Caplinger each had a double. Loren Cripps had a single and a double. Hannah Walker with two singles, and Katie Hall and Myranda Bailiff each with a single.
DeKalb County will host Polk County in the Sub-State Friday, May 15 at 5:00 p.m. in Smithville

Fifth graders at Northside Elementary School received medals and certificates during the annual D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony held Wednesday.
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program was conducted by D.A.R.E. Instructor and Chief Deputy Don Adamson of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
Each student prepares an essay during the course and those with the best essays from each class are recognized and awarded. This year’s essay winners at Northside are:
Carlie Sexton from Amy Raymond’s class
Paige Barber from Amanda Griffith’s class
David Martinez from Carrie Gottlied’s class
Bella France from Kristen Hankal’s class
Katelyn Henry from Alisha Day’s class
Rainey Tiner from Josh Odom’s class
Verenisse Quezada from Melissa Hale’s class
Kaitlin Ferrell from January Agee’s class
Carlie Sexton was the over-all winner and she read her essay during Wednesday’s program. In addition to the award, prizes, and recognition, Sexton gets to keep “Daren the Lion” the D.A.R.E. Mascot. General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge Bratten Cook, II presented Sexton a check for $50.
D.A.R.E. is a cooperative effort by the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department, DeKalb County School System, parents, and the community.
Other officials present for the ceremony were Northside Principal Dr. Gayle Redmon, Assistant Principal Beth Pafford, Guidance Counselor Dr. Linda Bush, Director of Schools Dr. Danielle Collins, County Mayor Tim Stribling, Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack, Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen, Trustee Sean Driver, County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss, and Smithville Alderman Gayla Hendrix. Other members of the Sheriff’s department were also in attendance along with Sheriff Patrick Ray and Chief Deputy Adamson.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting in the Austin Bottom Community Monday night.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray one person was wounded in the back but it was not believed to have been life threatening. No arrests have been made.
“On Monday May the 11th at 7:36 pm DeKalb County Central Dispatch received a call about a male subject that had been shot at the Austin Bottom Lake Boat Access Area. The victim and the shooter had already left the scene prior to law enforcement’s arrival. Officers from DeKalb and Putnam Counties responded to the scene along with DeKalb EMS. A short time later Deputies and Detectives from the DeKalb and Putnam County Sheriff’s Departments were able to find the victim who had traveled to a family member’s house in Cookeville. Sheriff Ray has not released the name of the victim nor the name of the alleged shooter. He said the victim received one gunshot wound to the back but it was not believed to be life threatening. The investigation continues into the incident and more information will be released at a later time.