Spirits soared for the Class of 2011 Friday evening as the graduates of DCHS bid farewell to the school and each other, closing this chapter of their lives and preparing to embark on new adventures.
Each of the graduates filed onto the high school football field for the commencement to the playing of “Pomp and Circumstance” by the DCHS band as hundreds of friends and family members looked on. The DCHS Honors Chorus performed “A Whole New World” from “Aladdin” by Alan Menken.
DCHS Honors Chorus Performing at Graduation from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Three of the most outstanding members of the class were singled out for special recognition during the program. This year’s White Rose Awards went to Ethan Duke and Britney Campbell while the Citizenship Award was presented to Wesley Burchfield.
The White Rose is presented to a boy and girl from the class for outstanding achievement and leadership, academics, and other activities. The Citizenship Award is given to the senior who has demonstrated outstanding service, devotion and loyalty to DeKalb County High School. The honors students were also recognized during the program.
DCHS Graduates receiving their diplomas from dwayne page on Vimeo.
A total of 160 students received diplomas during the commencement, each one shaking hands with Director of Schools Mark Willoughby as their names were called by Principal Kathy Hendrix.
The guest speaker was Jonathan Fontanez, who is the Supervisor of Instruction for grades 7-12 in the school system.
Graduates Celebrate!!!! from dwayne page on Vimeo.
In her address to the Class, Valedictorian Britney Campbell urged her fellow classmates to keep their eyes on the future. “As each one of us crosses this stage tonight and goes into the world as a high school graduate, we cannot take our eyes off of the future. A very wise chemistry teacher told me this year, “if you’re going to be a tree, be the biggest, leafiest tree that stands in the way of everything”. I hope each of you take that statement to heart as I did. We have made many accomplishments to this date, and there is no doubt that we will make even more. Among us might be the next doctor to discover a treatment for cancer, the next political leader of our country, or even the next astronaut to make it to the moon. For those who believe that this is the end of the journey, you are wrong. Although this high school journey is ending, an entirely new and even more exciting journey awaits us,” said Campbell.
“No one knows exactly where we will go in the future, or how we will get there. As we make our winding maps throughout life, may our paths cross from time to time and may you have success in everything you do. No mater what profession you choose, where you live, or who you choose to spend the rest of your life with, put everything you have into what you are doing and you will receive just as much in return. As you go out into the world, just remember, “Wherever you go, go with your heart,” concluded Campbell
Class President Tyler Seymour, in his remarks, quoted Dr. Seuss in saying ” You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the one who’ll decide where to go,” said Seymour.
“We have developed many long-lasting friendships and our high school years will always be a big part of us. Freshmen year, we prayed for this day to be here, and we are finally here. This will be the last time that we will be gathered as the senior class of DCHS. Thirteen years ago we began our journey, a journey in which we overcame obstacles, created friendships, and obtained memories that we will take everywhere we go in life. Class of 2011, I wish you the best of luck in what the future holds for you. Never forget the memories we have created, and the many friendships developed,” said Seymour.
Jonathon Fontanez, Supervisor of Instruction for grades 7-12, in his commencement address, admonished the graduates to “Seize the day”. “There is a phrase that was originally used in an ancient Latin poem penned by Horace. The phrase is “Carpe Diem” which has been widely translated in modern times as “Seize the day!” There are many interpretations as well as misconceptions about this popular phrase; however, for our conversation this evening I want us to focus on this phrase in the context of making each moment in life count,” said Fontanez.
“More specifically, I want us to wrap our minds around the notion of making the most out of each opportunity that comes our way. It has often been my experience in life, and I would dare say the experience of many in this audience tonight, that as life comes at us it is inevitable that opportunity often accompanies it. With each passing stride we take in life we are presented with opportunity. Some opportunities are greater than others and some opportunities we are given are . . . well . . . not so great. But, never-the-less as each opportunity knocks on the door of our life our destiny is forged by what we decide to do with those opportunities,” said Fontanez
“Life, with all of its greatness, and wonder, and responsibility, many times presents us with the chance to choose a direction, a pathway if you will, that has the potential to forever altar the course of our future.”
“There are no cookie cutter people! We are all different and what worked for one person may not necessarily work for another. I am not suggesting that we should not utilize the wisdom of those who have gone before us; in fact, I believe that it is critical for us to study the ways of and learn from our predecessors. I am saying; however, that we must be rational enough to understand and realize that each person has to eventually find their own way through life and the opportunities it affords to us. The Bible packages this thought in Philippians 2:12 by telling us to: “. . . work out your own salvation ,” said Fontanez
“I want to leave you with this final thought; Carpe Diem. Graduates, I challenge you to “seize the day” and to take each opportunity as it comes with wisdom and with prayer and with thought. Let the wisdom that is found in your experience as well as the experience of others be your guide, but in doing so don’t let anyone shove you off the trail of life. Stand on your own two feet and be the person that God made you to be! Choose to soar on wings like the eagles, high and free, able to decide what opportunities you will choose. Remember you are not like a chicken that was designed to be stuck on the ground. Soar high and free and seize the day! Congratulations,” conducted Fontanez.
Lori Myrick, Guidance Counselor, recognized the Honor students. Those earning “Highest Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.8 to 4.0 are: Britney Campbell, Valedictorian 4.0; Martha Webb, Salutatorian 4.0, Nicholas Hale 4.0, Tia Menix 4.0, Olivia Norton 4.0, Heather Owens 4.0, Camry White 4.0, Clark Adcock, Lauren Adcock, Tyler Caldwell, Logan Clark, Stephanie Davis, Ethan Duke, Christina Hughes, Weston Rhody, Tyler Seymour, Justin Turner, Zackary Vantrease, and Quincie Winchester
Students earning “High Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.6 to 3.79 include Jessica Alderman, Elicia Cantrell, Justin Elmore, Katie Frazier, Randall Hansard, Cole Hawker, Rachel Hendrixson, Nioakah Johnson, Tyler Kent, Samantha Lewis, Brittany Malone, and Kristin Mick.
Those earning “Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.2 to 3.59 include Brandon Adcock, Alesha Bass, Keeli Bullard, Wesley Burchfield, Tiffanie Burrage, Jessica Cantrell, Alisha Chapman, Kelly Cubbins, Kylie Dildine, Brady Evans, Dalton Fish, Makenzi Gibson, Kayla Hershman, Jessica Hodges, Whitney Houk, Amanda Hughes, Kayla Judkins, Tarren Kyle, Candance Lester, Mercedes Luna, Justin Moore, Shelby Mulloy, Taylor Poss, and Vickey Vickers.
The program began with Invocation by graduate Wesley Burchfield and ended with a benediction by graduate Ethan Duke, both of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) organization .
Members of the DCHS Class of 2011 receiving diplomas Friday night are:
Jarrett Adams, Brandon Adcock, Clark Adcock, Lauren Adcock, Matthew Adcock, Katelyn Agee, Jessica Alderman, Azalia Arroyo
Caleb Bain, Dalton Bandy, Alesha Bass, Taylor Baumgard, Jessica Billings, Cody Boner, Keri Bowman, Justin Bragg, Natonda Bratcher, Rod Brock, Dillion Brown, Keeli Bullard, Wesley Burchfield, Brandon Burke, Tiffanie Burrage,
Brittany Cade, Tyler Caldwell, Alexander Campbell, Britney Campbell, Chase Cantrell, Elicia Cantrell, Jessica Cantrell, Kaycee Cantrell, Matthew Cantrell, Perri Carter, Alisha Chapman, Logan Clark, Bradley Colburn, Fernanda Cortes, John Counts, Erica Cox, Jacob Cripps, Matthew Crowe, Kelly Cubbins, Josie Culwell, Jacob Cunningham,
Stephanie Davis, Kylie Dildine, Kathy Duggin, Ethan Duke, Natasha Durocher, Cassandra Dyer,
Whitney Easterwood, Justin Elmore, Jason Ervin, Brady Evans,
Keith Ferrell, Makayla Ferrell, Dalton Fish, Justin France, Jonathan Frazee, Dustin Frazier, Katie Frazier, Crystelle Furnival,
Makenzi Gibson, Matthew Giles, Billy Golden, Bobby Goodwin, Christian Greco,
Caleb Haggard, Nicholas Hale, Quentin Hale, Randall Hansard, Cole Hawker, Rachel Hendrixson, Kayla Hershman, Tyler Hicks, Jessica Hodges, Dane Holeton, Whitney Houk, Amanda Hughes, Christina Hughes, Kelley Hunt,
Felicia Ingram,
Christopher Johnson, Nioakah Johnson, Kayla Judkins, Kathryn Julien,
Tyler Kent, Kevin Kijanski, Bryan Kilgore, Jessica Knox, Tarren Kyle,
Keith Lafreniere, Jody Lattimore, Cameron Lester, Candace Lester, Samantha Lewis, Mercedes Luna,
Brittany Malone, Arianna Matthews, Shelby Maynard, Amanda McCardell, Charles McCutcheon, Brady McGhee, Tia Menix, Kayla Merriman, Kristin Mick, Justin Moore, Autumn Morris, Shelby Mulloy,
Shelly Newby, Blake Nichols, Karissa Nolton, Olivia Norton,
Heather Owens,
Heather Page, Kerry Page, Luke Partridge, Martin Perez, Cody Poss, Taylor Poss,
Ethan Ray, Jordan Reeder, Weston Rhody, Kevin Richards, Jennifer Rivera, Jesus Rivera, Ana Rodriguez-Cortes, Ciara Roehner, Dylan Roller, Allen Roysden,
Shane Salley, Tyler Seymour, Kristen Smartt, Brittany Smith, Sara Smith, Zachery Smoot, Chawn Snell, Skyler Songer, Sarah Stevens, Taylor Summers,
Joshua Taylor, Ryan Taylor, Alison Thomas, Devin Thomas, Takeshia Thomason, Hailey Thweatt, Janeth Torres, Nathan Turner, Justin Turner,
Zackary Vantrease, Trenton Vickers, Vickey Vickers,
McCullough Wallace, Martha Webb, Camry White, Michael Whitefield, II, Destry Wiggins, Quncie Winchester,
Mitch Young, and Tiffanie Youngblood

The DeKalb County Tiger baseball team is state tournament bound for the second year in a row.
The Tigers punched their ticket to the annual TSSAA Spring Fling in Murfreesboro Friday afternoon with a 12 to 2 win in five innings over the visiting East Hamilton Hurricanes in a Sub-State game played in Smithville.
The Tigers got off to a good start scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning. DC added three more runs in the bottom of the third and put the game away in the fifth inning scoring four runs to give them the 12-2 victory.
The Hurricanes scored one run in the second inning and one run in the fourth.
The Tigers scored twelve runs on six hits and made no errors. East Hamilton scored two runs on seven hits and made three errors.
Cody Puckett, the winning pitcher, faced twenty two batters and gave up two runs (one earned) on seven hits through five innings. He struck out five and walked one.
Hits:
Destry Wiggins- single and RBI
Evan Curtis-RBI
Hunter Graham- double and 2 RBI
Shane Salley- 2 singles, a sacrifice fly (game winning), RBI
Tyler Kent-RBI
Tyler Caldwell- single
Cody Puckett-single
The Tiger’s opponent in the state tournament as well as the date and time have not yet been announced. Check here throughout the weekend for more details.
DeKalb County will enter the Spring Fling with an overall record of 27-2.

Fifth graders at DeKalb West School received pins and certificates during the annual DARE graduation ceremony held Friday
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program was conducted by DARE 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 DeKalb West School are Carrigan Chapman of Jane Watson’s class and Samantha Street of Jeanna Caplinger’s class.
DeKalb West School 5th Grader Carrigan Chapman Reading Her Winning DARE Essay from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Chapman was the over-all winner and she read her essay during Friday’s program. In addition to the award, prizes, and recognition, Chapman gets to keep “Daren the Lion” the DARE Mascot and she received a $50 check from Judge Bratten Cook II who was unable to attend. Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen made the presentation on Judge Cook’s behalf.
Sheriff Patrick Ray, who spoke during the DARE graduation, told the students that “D.A.R.E. is a cooperative effort by the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department, DeKalb County School System, parents, and the community. I ask you today students, to take this valuable information and apply it to your lives, now and forever.”
Others on hand for the ceremony were DeKalb West School Principal Danny Parkerson, Director of Schools Mark Willoughby, Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack, Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen, Trustee Sean Driver, and employees of the Sheriff’s Department including K-9 drug dog Banshee, who is being retired from duty at the end of the month.

“Each semester a new group of students taking the Lakeside Resort Educational class known as the Professional Resort and Quantity Food Management Program, are challenged to create a class name and class project.” commented Milburn Rodgers, General Manager of Lakeside Resort. “Under the guidance of Bob Sotis, class instructor, this semester’s class chose “Great Expectations” and developed a class project that will help fund the Upper Cumberland Human Resources Agency’s (UCHRA) three residential centers.”
On Sunday May 22nd, 2:00- 6:00 pm, the class will host “ARISE” (A Real Investment in Student Education), at the Lakeside Resort located on Center Hill Lake near Smithville, TN. This fund raising effort will go to support expenses incurred as the centers travel to perform at various churches and functions in the Upper Cumberland region. The students perform interpretive dance and sign language to numerous contemporary Christian songs under the guidance of Ms. Faye Fuqua, the music director for all three centers. Boys and girls from the Chance Residential Centers will be performing during the program on Sunday.
“If you ever get to see our youth perform, it will touch your heart and soul,” stated Phyllis Bennett, UCHRA’s Executive Director, “and as for the students in the Lakeside Educational program to want to help others, it shows the kind of character we love having displayed from people using our programs.”
The three Residential Centers, Chance for girls in Putnam County, Youth Impact Center for boys in Cumberland County and Indian Mound home for boys in DeKalb County have served youth in State’s custody from all 14 Upper Cumberland counties and several counties outside our region. These homes give the youth an opportunity to find a life free from the many problems they face in today’s society.
“Our hope is this may turn into a yearly event.” said Randy Shelton, Lakeside’s Sales, Marketing, and Education Coordinator, “It makes us proud our students chose to use their project as an opportunity to help other programs.”
Tickets are priced at $30 each or two for $50 and include an afternoon of live entertainment, door prizes, auction, and a meal prepared by the students of the food program. The tickets are available at Lakeside Resort, UCHRA’s main office on Jefferson Avenue, or from staff members of the residential centers. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. For more information or to donate items for the auction, call the main office at 931-528-1127 or Lakeside Resort at 1-888-839-4799.
This class is funded in part by Tennessee Tech, TN Labor and Workforce Development and UCHRA.
CUTLINE: The Professional Resort and Quantity Food Management Program Class of Spring 2011 have chosen as a class project to host a fundraising event for UCHRA’s Residential Centers. Instrumental in the planning are: (l to r) Bob Sotis, Class Instructor; Toby Peterman, Class Vice-President; Melanie Caplinger, Class President; and Randy Shelton, Lakeside’s Sales, Marketing, and Education Coordinator.

Thirty nine DCHS students were recognized Thursday morning during the Senior Awards Day program as having met all requirements for the Tennessee Scholars Program.
The Tennessee Scholars program encourages students to take a more rigorous and challenging course of study in high school. Students graduating as Tennessee Scholars have to maintain good academic, disciplinary, and attendance standards as well as volunteer in the community. Tennessee Scholars also choose to take rigorous courses beyond what is required to graduate.
Janney & Associates have generously provided the Tennessee Scholars Medals to the following recipients:
Clark Adcock, Taylor Baumgard, Keeli Bullard, Wesley Burchfield, Britney Campbell, Elicia Cantrell, Alisha Chapman, Logan Clark, Kelly Cubbins, Kylie Dildine, Brady Evans, Justin France, Crystelle Furnival, Katie Frazier, MaKenzie Gibson, Kayla Hershman, Jessica Hodges, Felicia Ingram, Tyler Kent, Cameron Lester, Samantha Lewis, Mercedes Luna, Brittany Malone, Shelby Maynard, Tia Menix, Kristen Mick, Shelby Mulloy, Heather Owens, Olivia Norton, Kerry Page, Taylor Poss, Allen Roysden, Tyler Seymour, Devin Thomas, Justin Turner, Vickey Vickers, Martha Webb, Camry White, and Quincie Winchester.
Meanwhile a special award was presented to DCHS senior Cole Hawker for thirteen years of perfect attendance from 1998 to 2011.

Almost $637,000 in scholarships were awarded to forty three members of the Class of 2011 at DeKalb County High School during Thursday’s annual Senior Awards Day program.
Representatives of colleges, universities, branches of the armed services, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations made the presentations.

Three of the largest scholarship awards were presented by branches of the military. Dillion Brown will receive an award totaling $130,000 for his enlistment in the United States Air Force. Mitch Young was presented a scholarship in the amount of $100,000 for his enlistment in the United States Air National Guard and a U.S. Navy award for $63,000 went to John Counts.
Meanwhile, Martha Webb and Elicia Cantrell received two of the largest college scholarships. Maryville College presented Webb an award for $60,000 and Cantrell received a scholarship in the amount of $52,000 from Charleston Southern University.
Other scholarship award recipients and the amounts are as follows:
Clark Adcock:
Agee Oil- $1,500
Anthony Duane Trapp Memorial- $1,000
DeKalb Firefighters- $500
DeKalb Soil Conservation District- $500
Jessica Alderman:
Liberty State Bank- $1,000
Caleb Bain:
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home- $500
Dillion Brown:
USAF Enlistment- $130,000
Wesley Burchfield:
Smithville Rotary- $750
Tyler Caldwell:
Cumberland University- $18,200
David Wayne Alexander Memorial- $1,000
Britney Campbell:
DCHS Beta Club-$500
Tennessee Tech Academic Service- $10,000
Tennessee Tech Phi Delta Kappa- $500
Elicia Cantrell:
Charleston Southern University- $52,000
DeKalb Democratic Party- $500
Jolly Angels- $1,000
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home- $500
Jessica Cantrell:
Amvets Auxiliary- $250
Logan Clark:
Cumberland University- $10,500
Jeff Garrett Memorial- $500
John Counts:
U.S. Navy- $63,000
Kelly Cubbins:
Smithville Business & Professional Women’s Club- $500
Ethan Duke:
CIC Foundation- $10,800
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagle Excellence- $10,000
Brady Evans:
DeKalb Fire Fighters- $500
DTC McAllen Foutch Memorial- $8,000
Jolly Angels- $1,000
Tennessee Tech University Avo Anderson Memorial- $1,000
Tennessee Tech University Golden Eagle Excellence- $10,000
Tennessee Tech University Tommy Burks Memorial-$750
Dalton Fish:
Leadership DeKalb- $750
Katie Frazier:
DeKalb Farmers Coop- $500
DeKalb Funeral Chapel- $500
Eddie Crips Memorial-$1,000
Forever Friends Scholarship- $1,500
Nick Hale:
Rotary Math Award- $100
Tennessee Tech University Golden Eagle Excellence- $10,000
Randall Hansard:
BASF Scholarship- $20,000
Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial- $1,000
Cole Hawker:
CIC Foundation- $10,800
Rachel Hendrixson:
Smithville Rotary- $750
Jessica Hodges:
Dailey & Vincent-$2,000
DeKalb Community Hospital- $500
Ditcharo & Johnson Orthodontics-$500
Jolly Angels- $1,000
Smithville Business & Professional Women’s Club-$500
Dane Holeton:
Amvets- $250
Nioakah Johnson:
Jolly Angels-$1,000
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagle Excellence- $10,000
Cameron Lester:
Scottish Rite- $1,000
Samantha Lewis:
DeKalb Retired Teachers- $750
Brittany Malone:
Class of 1966- $500
DeKalb Funeral Chapel- $500
Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial- $1,000
Shelby Mulloy:
Elzie & Nell McBride Scholarship- $500
Olivia Norton:
Jolly Angels- $1,000
Mentor Scholarship- $5,000
Smithville Women’s Club- $500
DCHS Student Council Scholarship- $500
Heather Owens:
Mentor Scholarship-$5,000
Weston Rhody:
Class of 1969- $250
Dylan Roller:
Crowley’s Ridge College- $2,200
Shane Salley:
Roane State Athletic- $7,000
Tyler Seymour:
Mentor Scholarship- $5,000
Devin Thomas:
Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride- $500
Lucille Stewart Memorial- $8,000
Zach Vantrease:
DeKalb PTO- $300
Tennessee Tech University Alumni- $4,000
Trent Vickers:
Dailey & Vincent- $2,000
Vickey Vickers:
DeKalb Retired Teachers- $750
FCCLA- $200
Tennessee Tech University W. Clyde & Marie Hyder Scholarship- $1,000
Doyle & Melford Stone Smith Scholarship- $750
Lucille Stewart Memorial- $8,000
Martha Webb:
Maryville College- $60,000
Smithville Rotary- $750
Camry White:
DeKalb Republican Women- $500
First Bank- $500
Michael Whitefield:
Rotary Vocation Award- $100
Destry Wiggins:
Alan Hooper Memorial- $500
Roane State Athletic- $7,000
Quincie Winchester:
CIC Foundation- $10,800
Liberty State Bank- $1,000
Mitch Young:
USNG Enlistment- $100,000