The 2023-2024 school year has ended, and 728 graduates received diplomas signaling the end of their K-12 academic careers. I am incredibly proud of the accomplishments of these students!
The Elmore County High School senior class of 105 students was awarded nearly $2.1 million in scholarships. Eight graduates will enter military service, and 68 students are college-bound. Trevor Brown received the Joe Sewell Boy’s Leadership Award. The Valedictorian was Joshua Luster, and the Salutatorian was Emilie Shaw.
The Holtville High School senior class of 136 students earned approximately $3.9 million in scholarships. Six graduates will enter military service, and approximately 50 will pursue post-secondary education. Joe Sewell Award recipients were Brandon Barrett, Boy’s Athletic Award, and Taylor Price, Girls’ Church, Community, & Character Award. The Valedictorian was Jack Carlisle, and the Salutatorian was Kaydey Jackson.
Stanhope Elmore High School’s senior class of 216 students was awarded $2.3 million in scholarships. Fourteen graduates will enter military service, and 149 students are college-bound. Joe Sewell Award recipients were Lorin McElrath, Girl’s Overall Winner, and Aysia Jackson, Girls Leadership Award. The Valedictorian was Aysia Jackson, and the Co-Salutatorians were Karley Earl and Lorin McElrath.
The 271 students in Wetumpka High School’s senior class have earned over $8.8 million in scholarships. Nineteen students will enter military service, and 184 students will attend college. The Joe Sewell Award recipient was David Pinkston, Boy’s Church, Community & Character Award. The Valedictorian was Ashley Fulmer, and the Salutatorian was Faith Garrison.
The EDGE, Elmore County’s virtual school, graduated 75 seniors. One graduate will enter military service, and 15 students are college-bound, with $28,000 awarded in scholarships. The Valedictorian was Casey Pollock, and the Salutatorian was Katherine Wright.
Our students have taken advantage of a wide variety of course offerings, including Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, and/or Career-Technical Education courses and are well prepared to enter college or the work force. They have collectively earned scholarship offers totaling over $17 million! Congratulations to our graduates and we wish you well in your new endeavors!
The end of each school year provides an opportunity to “look behind and plan ahead.” We will reflect and fine-tune to offer our students optimal opportunities to learn, grow, and achieve their maximum potential in the upcoming school year! Every student empowered ~ every student succeeds!
Richard Dennis is the Superintendent of Education for Elmore County Schools. He is a 1983 graduate of Holtville High School. He served 21 years as a high school principal at Holtville High, Wetumpka High and most recently, Prattville High. He and wife, Leslie (also an educator) have three sons and a daughter.
