Talent Runs Deep in DHS Class of 2012

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Scholarship and achievement ran deep in the Du Quoin High School graduating class of 2012.

The class boasts three valedictorians and two salutatorians, 14 who graduate Magna Cum Laude with grade point averages of 3.75 or higher and 29 who graduate Cum Laude with grade point averages of between 3.25 and 3.74.

In total, the class has garnered $447,600 in academic scholarships and grants.

Class valedictorians Erica Rainwater, Jenna Doerr and Chace Epplin divided their remarks into the past, the present and the future. Erica recounted the great memories of growing up in Du Quoin schools. Jenna quoted from the time-honored poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost and encouraged classmates to accept the challenges. Chace Epplin, who was recognized as having perfect attendance for eight years through Du Quoin Middle School and Du Quoin High School spoke about the future and the fact that graduating seniors have a chance to make a difference.

The Class of 2012 also boasts two salutatorians in Trey Cobin and Jessica Hirsch, who were asked to stand.

The 6:30 p.m. commencement began with music from the DHS jazz band followed by the processional by Hannah Hamburger on the keyboard.

Senior band members performed the song "My Only Wish" by Les Aldrich followed by a welcome from Erica Rainwater, 2012 class president.

Erica Rainwater, Jenna Doerr and Chace Epplin were recognized as class valedictorians and Trey Cobin and Jessica Hirsch were recognized as salutatorians.

Two graduates will head into the military immediately--Tim Mabry and Nathan Harris --and were honored during the Lance Corporal Drew Uhles "Operation Recognition" segment of the commencement.

Mrs. Tammy Beckham, principal of the Du Quoin High School, presented the class. Members of the board distributed diplomas as one of two senior class sponsors Ms. Lindsey Snider called the class roll and read their awards. The other 2012 class sponsor was Mrs. Nicole Heisner. Mrs. Beckham then congratulated the Class of 2012 with the audience standing for the closing recessional by Hannah Hamburger.

Assistant Principal Jeff Gossett assisted throughout the evening.

The Du Quoin High School Class of 2012 includes: Keawna Mae Anders, Alexander Angleton, Dorothy Bandur, Jennah Michelle Barklage, Haley Marie Baudison, Jared Lee Becker, Dillon Zachary Beltz, Stephanie Dawn Bishop, Quivon J. Bledsoe, Jonathan Edward Boss, Michaela Addison Brown, Sally Jean Burke, Zachary Bryan Samuel Cavitt, Trey Ryan Cobin, Holly Marie Coker, Noah Kevin Coleman, Elizabeth A. Conner, Ronnie Gene Davis, Brooke Emily Derby, Cayle Diggins, Donald Doerflein III, Jenna Rene Doerr, Kati Jean Louis Dunmyer, Magen Ann Edwards, Chace Daniel Epplin, Megan Crystal Forys, Taelor Mckenzi Furry, John Charles Galik II, Airika Brooke Galli, Tayler Traci Lee Gaytan, Samuel Charles Gossett, Elizabeth Rae Gross, Katherine Elaine Haggard, Anjelica Renee Hamilton, Tomi Marie Hamlin, Blayne Robert Harris, Nathan Ryan Harris, Caleb Wayne Harsy, Ashley Nicole Heatherly, Lauren?Marie Helsley, Anthony Hershey, Stephanie Eloise Hershey, Blair Autumn Hester, Grace Autumn Hill, Jessica Leann Hirsch, Bria Elizabeth Holford, Draven S. Howerton, Dominique Deloris Johnson, Megi Brynn'ae Jones, Howard Lear Kelly, and Kirsten Leigh Knapp.

Also, Jennifer Ann Lee, Shelby Dawn Lincoln, Garrett Andrew Loyd, Caseton Charles Luthy, Timothy Lee Mabrey, Quinton Reilly Mathis, Melanie McClanahan, Jesse Alexander McDicken, Chase Gentry McKinnies, Jared Wayne Morgan, Johnathon Michael Morgan, Sasha Rae Mozelewski, Brice Nelson, Braelee Nicole Osborn, Trini Pham-Nguyen, Jessica Dawn Phillips, Fatima Lidia Malikova Pirtle, Cain Porter,?Levi Flint Porter, Shelby Lynn?Presley, Dylan Keith Pyron, Jordan Gregory Ragland, Erica Elizabeth Rainwater, Alex Duane Rea, Christian Joseph Riley, Kegan Shawn Robbins, Eugene Paul Rodely, Joshua Wayne Sanders, Audrey Diane Scarber, Brianne Marie Slover, Andrea Janiece Smith,?Jade Elizabeth Smith, Logan Renee Spurlock, Trystan Leigh Stanley, Shelby Dee Stowers, Tyler Allen Stowers, Spenser Gibbs Swayne, Dustin Lee Taylor,?Lauren Rae Tennant, Christy Dawn Toler, Joel Jerome Vancil, Christian Wagner, Jessy Nicole Wallace, Brittany Danielle Ward, Jonathan David Warren, Melody E. Webb, Dakota Will Wheatley, Brandon Wallace Williams and Nathan Alan Zoller.