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DHS seniors Tyler Jamal Ward, Justin Stephens, William Durrett, and Russ Logan, who will be attending Auburn University next fall, take their turn signing a banner.

Alabama A&M University: Dermarie Jones, Jay Wallace, Aireka Riggs, Laquisha Holloway and Jaylyn Branch

Alcorn State University: Aurelia Brown

Baptist College of Health Sciences: Lula Boone Mississippi State University: Alexus Keller

Coastal Alabama Community College: Kayla Montz

U.S. Marine Corps: Ethan Hamilton

Alabama State University: Kamia Longmire and Peryn Mullen

Lawson State Community College: Zaria Williams

Ramp School of Ministry: Bianca Richardson

Samford University: Tristan Mullen

Alabama National Guard: Sgt. Sfc. Dinate Lovelace and Jonne Rembert

University of Southern Mississippi : Brionna Howerton and Mary Maddox Cook

Troy University: Chris Williams and Ashleigh Ivory

University of Alabama-Huntsville: Benjamin Robertson

The Demopolis City School System recognized students who have already made their commitments to colleges or military service during a special ceremony at the Demopolis High School auditorium on Friday, April 13.

The upcoming graduates recognized represented 30 colleges and the military.

“We want to make sure we take the time to recognize those who have worked so hard and will continue working toward their goals at college or the military,” said DCSS Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff. “This group of students is providing a strong push toward our system’s bold goal of being among the top ten school systems in the state.”

Demopolis Mayor John Laney was the guest speaker for the event, advising students to consider carefully their decisions and to find a career they are passionate about.

“You’ve spent the last 12 years preparing yourself for adulthood. It is very important to think hard about the decisions you make. Educate yourself in something you are passionate about … that is where you will make your mark,” Laney told the students.

The ceremony, organized by DHS Career Coach Patrick George, included the naming of the students and the colleges or branch of military in which they are committed. Upon leaving the stage, each student signed a banner that will displayed at the high school as inspiration to younger students.

Following is a list of students recognized and the institutions represented.

Alabama  A&M University — Aireka M. Riggs, Ashley Danielle Moore, Dezmarie Breyonia Jones, Jasmiene Renee Scott, Jayjuan Cortez Wallace, Jaylyn Jaquanna Branch, Laquishia Michelle Holloway, and Taylor Shamore Collins

Alabama National Guard — Jon-ne Cherie Rembert

Alabama State University — Kamia Janise Longmire, Peryn Alyssa Mullen, Santrena Denece Fair

Alcorn State University — Aurelia Denyse Brown

Auburn University — Justin Thomas Stephens, Thomas Russell Logan, Tyler Jamal Ward, William Jordan Durrett

Auburn University-Montgomery — Rodriquez Johnson, Shaquandly Darvash Dixon

Baptist College of Health Science — Lula Reshonda Boone

Coastal Alabama Community College — Kayla Elizabeth Montz

East Mississippi Community College — Xaviar Davon Jackson

Jacksonville State University — Kiara La’shay Ingram

Judson College — Julia Singleton

Lawson State Community College — Zaria Kiauve Williams

Marion Military Institute — Demetrius Kenzell Johnson

Miles College — Traqueshia Tysha Vaughn

Mississippi College — Emma Macklin Lewis

Mississippi State University — Alexus Renee Keller and Noah Edward Hay

Oklahoma Christian University — William Hunter Ray Lewis

Samford University — Tristan Xavier Mullen

Shelton State Community College — Ashley Carter, Domineque Sentrell Bryant, Samuel Velez

South Louisiana Community College — Jeremy Jackson

Ramp School of Ministry — Bianca Richardson

Troy University — Ashleigh Michelle Ivory, Austin Dale Hall, Christopher Williams, Freddrick Malik Moore, Matthew Lawson Dollar, Vandeja Kiara Barnes

U.S. Army — Trinity Thomas

U.S. Marine Corps — Ethan Bradley Hamilton

University of Alabama — Audrey Diane Boykin, Keyjana Annalis Waller, Napoleon Roberson, Shaelin Jones

University of Alabama-Birmingham — Althea Frances Yburan, Tariana Latrice Jackson

University of Alabama-Huntsville — Benjamin Phillip Robertson

University of North Alabama — Lauren Brooke House

University of South Alabama — Keisha Renee Bruno and Breanna Danielle Carter

University of Southern Mississippi — Brionna Howerton and Mary Maddox Cook

University of West Alabama — Elizabeth Keely Smith, Jamia Anye Washington, Jamirea L. Gaitor, and Philip Andrew Akins

(This article originally appeared in the Saturday, April 21 issue of the Demopolis Times.)