Doors will open at 6 p.m. Chair seats are reserved for parents with tickets they receive from their children; all other seating takes place on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors close at 7 p.m. for the processional, which usually lasts approximately 20 minutes. Once graduation candidates are seated, spectators who have been waiting are allowed to filter into the gym. To accommodate spectators, parking is available in the lot adjoining the soccer and football fields. That area is accessible via Jimtown Road.
Principal Matthew Madding will welcome guests. Senior Mitchell Rollins will lead the invocation. Preston Simmons will present the valedictory address. The GCHS Choir will perform “The Lord Bless and Keep You” and “Time of Your Life” under the direction of Raeanne McKendree. Madison Ogg and Kaylynn Roberts will preview the senior video. School administrators will award diplomas and Superintendent Pete Galloway will confer degrees.
The GCHS Class of 2013 includes some 309 graduates.
School guidance counselors estimate that scholarships offered to members of the class, including Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarships, or KEES, money, for four years to be $6.2 million.
Valedictorian John Preston Simmons is the son of Jay and Kim Simmons. He plans to attend the University of Louisville, where he will seek a double major in biology and psychology. He was awarded the Henry Vogt Scholarship. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he plans to attend medical school to earn a degree as a physician. Ultimately, he hopes to open his own medical practice in western Kentucky, specializing in oncology or cardiology.
His extracurricular activities have included serving on the Student Council, including the last two years as president; the Mayfield-Graves County Youth Leadership Class, including service as president; the Future Business Leaders of America, including service as vice-president; the Agape Club, including service as a board member; the Beta Club, including service as treasurer; the Freshman Mentoring Program; the United States Tennis Association Junior Tennis Team; the Farmington Church of Christ Youth Group, including the Bread of Life Humanitarian Effort and the Graves County Churches of Christ Work Camp; the Boy Scouts of America, including service as senior patrol leader.
Simmons’ honors include being named a National Merit Scholar with Distinction, membership in the 2012 Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program, Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, earning the Commonwealth Diploma, the Paducah Sun Teen of the Week, a Mayfield Rotary Club Student of the Month, a 2011 Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Ambassador 2011 Class of Kentucky member, a Wendy’s High School Heisman Recipient, a participant in the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s state tennis tournament, and earning Scouting’s highest rank: Eagle Scout.
Salutatorian Hannah Lou Latta is the daughter of Gary and Lou Ann Geveden Latta. She plans to attend the University of Kentucky, where she will major in biology. She was awarded the UK Presidential Scholarship and the Bill Hale Memorial Scholarship through the Mayfield Rotary Club. Upon earning her bachelor’s degree, she aspires to attend medical school and to pursue a career in the medical field. She said, “It is my goal to improve the quality of life for those around me.”
Her extracurricular activities have included the Student Council, including service as vice-president; the Freshman Mentoring Program; the GCHS Choral Program, including serving as principal piano accompanist; the Agape Club, including service on the Agape Service Board Council; and the Beta, French, and Interact clubs.
Latta’s honors include membership in the National Fraternity of Student Musicians; AP Scholar with Distinction; the 2012 Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program; graduation from the 2011 Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts; earning the Commonwealth Diploma, the 2011 Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Ambassador; a 2011 People to People Student Ambassador nominee; a member of the Kentucky Music Educators Association’s All-State Chorus, 2011-13; a member of the 2012 KMEA All-District Jazz Band; a Mayfield Rotary Club September 2012 Student of the Month; and recipient of the Who’s Who Award as Female Student Most Likely to Succeed.
Other honor graduates, their parents’ names, their majors and institutions of choice are listed here. Also noted are students who attended Commonwealth Middle College for dual credit opportunities the past two years at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. Finally, students are noted who earned the Commonwealth Diploma. In order to do so, a student must take four AP classes, including an English class, a math or science class, a foreign language, and an elective. Then, the student must pass college credit tests in at least three of those areas.
Those 32 other honor graduates include Katherine Armstrong, daughter of Timothy and Melissa Armstrong, biology, UofL, ultimately doctorate in veterinary medicine; Lucas Campbell, son of Trent Campbell and Sally Husher, business management/administration, Murray State University, a Middle College student; Peyton Carrico, daughter of Russ and Ellen Carrico, middle school social studies education, MSU, a Middle College student; Morgan Colley, daughter of Ronnie and Kellie Colley, dental hygienist program, WKCTC;
Josh Drouin, son of David Drouin and Norma Pruitt, MSU in preparation for law school, a recipient of the Commonwealth Diploma; Danielle Gardner, daughter of Michael and Robin Gardner, civil engineering, UK College of Engineering-Paducah Campus; Tanisha Gills, daughter of Jimmy and Cindy Gills, agriculture, MSU: Jonathan Goatley, son of Eddie and Rita Goatley, chemical engineering, UK College of Engineering-Paducah Campus, a Middle College student; Charles Gregory, son of Jason and Theresa Gregory, Western Kentucky University in preparation to study biochemistry at Vanderbilt University;
Kirsten Herndon, daughter of Andrew and Teresa Herndon, exercise science at David Lipscomb University in preparation to earn a graduate degree in physical therapy, a recipient of the Commonwealth Diploma; Sydney Jones, daughter of Carol Ramage, social work, WKU, a Middle College student; Josie Lavey, daughter of Traci Lawrence, sports medicine, Campbellsville University, a Middle College student; Alexandra Milby, daughter of Michael and Cara Milby, nursing,: Matthew Moreno, son of Sid and Vicki Moreno, electrical engineering technology, MSU, a recipient of the Commonwealth Diploma;
Madison Ogg, daughter of Jesse and Sonya Ogg, broadcasting, WKU; Caitlin Pack, daughter of Chris Pack, nutrition, UK, in preparation to become a physician’s assistant, a Middle College student; Ashley Perkins, daughter of Bobby Perkins and Brenda Jensen, Southeast Missouri State University in preparation to become a nurse practitioner;
Chase Ray, son of Joe and Jeannie Ray, pre-pharmacy, MSU; John Ridge, son of Nicholas Ridge, history, MSU, a Middle College student; Emily Riley, daughter of Richard and Lucinda Riley, special education and middle school education, MSU; Mitchell Rollins, son of Greg and Carol Rollins, music and possibly education, UofL;
Tiffany M. Sanderson, daughter of Jackie and Michelle Sanderson, WKCTC in preparation eventually to earn a medical degree; B. Nicole Smith, daughter of James and Anita Smith, chemical engineering, UK College of Engineering-Paducah Campus, a Middle College student; Zachary Smith, son of Rob Smith and Penny Smith, music, MSU;
Katie Thomas, daughter of Michael and Sandra Thomas, exercise science, Jacksonville State University in preparation to become a physical therapist, a recipient of the Commonwealth Diploma; Colton Tockstein, son of Daryl and Dana Tockstein, chemical engineering, UK College of Engineering-Paducah Campus. a Middle College student; Elizabeth Travis, daughter of Chris and Tracy Travis, theater, MSU: Chase Tucker, son of Jackie and Debbie Tucker, pre-pharmacy, UK;
Austin Whitlock, son of Andy and Julie Whitlock, pre-pharmacy, UK; Madison Wilferd, daughter of Scott and Kellie Wilferd, plant and soil science; UK; Makayla Woosley, daughter of Joanie Woosley, culinary arts, Sullivan University; and Alyson Wyatt, daughter of Jeff and Theresa Wyatt, nursing, MSU.
The entire list of graduates includes Tabitha Dawn Adair, Jamie Michelle Albritton, Callen Guinn Aldridge, Colton Lynn Aldridge, Jerelle Dashawn Allen, Katherine Marie Armstrong,
Jacobi Legend Bailey, Patrick James Balisteri, Guadalupe Barrera, Kristin Lynn Bates, Mason Bryant Beale, Kiya Audreana Joel Beasley, Alexander Conly Beck, Makayla Brooke Becker, Brittany Nicole Bell, Robert Dalton Bing, Courtney Ella Bishop, Kenyada Kashai Blalock, Virginia Blanco, Chancey Sorelle Boaz, Erika Nicole Bobbett, Johnnie Elwayne Boyd, Kortnee Shea Boyd, Taylor Dawn Boyd, Adrienne Michelle Brewer, Logan Hunter Brown, Zachary Hunter Brown, Sarah Brooke Bryant, Michelle Gloria Jean Buhler, Joshua Tyler Bullmer, Corey Travis Burgess, Shelly Katherine Burgess, Brittany Nicole Burns, Thomas A. Hayes Byars, Darien Hunter Byrd,
Robert Eugene Cagle, Reynaldo Calderon, Brian Michael Callahan, Shawn Ryan Callahan, Lindsey Brooke Campbell, Lucas Trent Campbell, Sarah Jessica Canter, Summer Elizabeth Carnes, Christian Shay Carrico, Elyse Suzanne Carrico, Peyton Noel Carrico, Chance Michael Carrigan, Elmer Carrillo, Jorden Leigh Cavitt, Brittany Hope Caylor,
Andrew R. Travis Chamberlain, Jacob Trey Chambers, Austin Bradley Champion, Brianna Lashae Channell, Daphne Maria Choate, Joseph Tyler Choate, Dustin Allen Clancy, Kaitlyn Dyan Clapp, Zachary Ryan Clapp, Morgan Kellie Colley, Jacob Leonard Collins, Tiffany Amber Collins, Aaron Konor Copeland, Ariel Brianna Cornaby, Karla Ylenia Cortez, Stephen J. Thomas Courtney, Emily Jean Covington, William Edward Crafton, James Franklin Creason, Kirklin Alexander Crider, Emily Beth Crisp, Danielle Ann Crouch,
Zackary Tyler Dawson, Austin Clay DeLapp, Jeremy Alexander DeLapp, Elsa Diaz, Victoria Fay Dimopulos, Ashley Nicole Dowdy, Trevor Chase Dowdy, Joshua Michael Drouin, Rachel Paige Duncan, Austin Robert Dunkin, James Morgan Dunn, Jessica Leeann Eddington, Shaquille Latifah Edwards, Stephanie Nicole Ellegood, Victoria Bryce Emerson, Robert Brett Errickson, Kelsea Rene Ervin, Thomas Vegan Fakhoorian, Dakota Hall Farmer, Joseph Kyle Feagin, Logan Chase Feagin, Matthew Tyler Feagin, Katelynn Nicole Fondaw, Matthew Cory Forrest, Kady Case Forsythe, Ethan Foster Foy, Matthew Lee Franklin,
Kenneth Ryan Gann, Danielle Nicole Gardner, Madeline Alexis Gardner, Jonathan Nelson Garrigus, Brittany Marie Gass, Alison Nicole Gentry, Andrew Kendall Gibson, Ryan Madison Hunter Gibson, Mekayla Lynn Gills, Tanisha Carol Gills, John Garrett Givens, Jonathan Edward Goatley, Austin Thomas Goff, Jessica Athena Kay Goff, Emily Nicole Goin, Hunter Edward Goree, Charles Thomas Gregory, Stephanie Lynne Gregory, Alexis Mackenzie Grenda, Reed Franklin Grimes, Christian Tyler Grissom, Hannah Abagail Gross, Melanie Guardian,
Jamey Hunter Halley, Travis Shawn Hamlin, Lacey Brooke Hanley, Hunter Reece Harris, Nicholas John Harris, Brandon Zachary Harrison, Cheyenne Brook Harrison, Alexandrea Grace Hartigan, Evan Taylor Hawkins, Alison Elizabeth Hayden, Aaron Ray Hendrickson, John Luis Hernandez, Brittany Allyse Herndon, Kirsten Diane Herndon, Allora Danielle Hobbs, Dylan Todd Hobbs, Sarah Ann Hogarty, Alissa Dawn Hogue, TJ Thomas Holder, Keresa Daylee Holmes, Lindsay DaShae Holmes, Logan Hunter Holshouser, Britany Nashae Hopwood, Nicholas Ryan Horn, Jessica Lynn Howell, Shayna Dawn Howell, Joshua James Hughes, Hannah Elizabeth Hummel, Olivia LeeAnn Hunt, Lauren Victoria Hussey,
Dalton Kaine Irvan, Travis Lee Jackson, Helena Marie Jones, Kimberly Ann Jones, Sydney Nicole Jones, Zachary Ray Katzman, Erika Michelle Kelley, Jacob Weslee Kimbler, Colton Mason King, Billie Jo Lamb, Nathan Alexander Lancaster, Hannah Lou Latta, Josie Quinn Lavey, Nathan Richard Lawson, Jessica Ann Lester, Zachary Wayne Lynn,
Isabella Hope Magee, Olivia Louise Maines, Charles Wesley Mason, Justin Brok Mathis, John Paul Mark Matthews, Julie Kay Maxwell, Abigail Grace McAlpin, Zachery Ryan McClure, Erin Cain McFarland, Diedre Marie McHenry, Kada Marie McKinney, Heather Nicole McNeil, James Michael McNeil, Brittany Louise McPherson, Sydney Elizabeth Milburn, Alexandrea Nicole Milby, Andrew David Mitchum, Kimberly Brooke Mohler, Amanda Ruth Moore, Danielle Elaine Moore, Tommy Lee Morefield, Daniel Ray Moreland, Matthew Stephenson Moreno, Jason Lee Murphy, Keanu Chase Murphy, Jesse Allen Musser,
Joseph Dakota Noocha, Patrick Casey Ochalek, Madison Jae Ogg, William Abrahm Oliver, Caitlin Elizabeth Pack, Lexi Desirae Page, Joey Lee Parham, Hope Lynn Paulin, Laken Nicole Peckinpaugh, Seth Blake Pendel, Ashley Marie Perkins, Cody Thomas Perkins, Matthew Blake Perry, Zachary Allen Price, Chelsea Briana Prince, Tracy Lyn Pritchett,
Chase Jordan Ray, Cody Allen Ray, John Patrick Redden, Andrea Dawn Reynolds, Christopher Michael Rice, John Daniel Ridge, Emily Jo Riley, Karlee Aryn Riley, Matthew Neal Riley, Ashley Lynn Roach, Megan Lynn Roach, Kaylynn Jae Roberts, Dakota Stinson Robertson, David Gale Rodabaugh, Abbey Marie Rodgers, Kye Hunter Rogers, Mitchell Allen Rollins, Nathaniel Houston Rose, Kendrick Chase Ross,
Hailey Brooke Sanderson, Jackson Caine Sanderson, Tiffany Michelle Sanderson, Lauren Elizabeth Saxon, Dustin Lee Schultz, Nathan Scott Seay, Weston Howard Morgan Sellars, Evan Bradley Shelton, Hunter Michael Sheppard, Jeremy Taylor Shields, Anthony Todd Shiflett, James Rayburn Shook, Jose Guadalupe Sierra, John Preston Simmons, Brandon Tyler Simpson, Bobby Jay Smith, Brandie Nicole Smith, Maegan Rae-Ann Smith, Zachary Christian Smith, Madalyn Jade Spillman, Tyler Joe Starkey, Julia Lynn Stimson, Laney Gale Stinson, Layne Taylor Story, Elijah David Stubblefield, Andrea Jean Sullivan, Nicole BJ Sweat,
Summer Lee Taber, Haley Jo Taylor, Zachariah Joseph-Hawk Taylor, Sadie Wren Terry, Abigail Anna Thomas, Katie Nicole Thomas, Evan Patrick Thompson, Jade Nicole Thompson, Ronni Deann Thompson, Colton Lee Tockstein, Mia Lachelle Todd, Austin Shane Toon, Grant Kaler Towery, Elizabeth Ann Travis, Mitchell Lynn Travis, Joshua Denton Treadway, Cassie Kay Trent, Haley Kathryn Trimble, Chase Alexander Tucker,
Christopher Daniel Vance, Taylor Matthew Via, Chelsea Rechelle Viniard, Dara Rayann Wallace, Nikki Tiera Walton, Jacob Lee Webb, Kevin Lee Webb, Tedrah Lynn Wece, Hannah Joy Wheeler, Hunter Cameron Whiteside, Austin Andrew Whitlock, Mitchell Evan Wiggins, Samuel Hunter Wiggins, Whitney Lane Wiley, Madison Ann Wilferd, Whitney Nichole Wilford, Mark Clayton Willhelm, Alec Logan Williams, Trey Daniel Williams, Jackson Daniel Willie,
Amanda Lynn Willingham, Elias Tanner Wilson, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Wilson, Allison Blair Womble, Luke Wilson Woodrum, Chase Thomas Wooley, Makayla Marie Woosley, Adrianna Renee Wortham, Rachel Courtney Wurth, Alyson Nichole Wyatt, Travis Logan Wyatt, Bethany Nichole Yates, April Renee Youngblood, and Salvador Rosas Zamora.
