2021 Senior Celebrity Banquet

By Gaye Shaw

Jobe Publishing Contributor

 

The Edmonton Metcalfe County Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted the 24^th Annual Senior Celebrity Banquet in the Old School Gym which was beautifully decorated by Jamie Howard, Kim Smith, Gail Miller, and Annie Smith.

The Senior Celebrity Project was instigated to honor outstanding Metcalfe County High School Seniors in the categories of art, band, athletics, aviation, drama, FFA, STLP, Academic Team, 4-H, HOSA, and academics. The recipient of the chamber of commerce $500 Scholarship is also included in the program.

This program would not be possible without the generous sponsor’s A T & T, Farmers RECC, Tri – County Electric, Edmonton State Bank, and Metcalfe County Schools. Freeda Reece and Laurel Garrett were in attendance representing Edmonton State Bank and Mark Linkous represented Tri – County Electric. Representing Farmers RECC were Bill Prather, Tony Wells, and Scott Lester.

Judge/Executive Harold Stilts and his wife, Patricia, and Mayor Doug Smith and his wife, Kim were also present.

The students are selected by the staff at the high school and are encouraged to invite their parents and a teacher who has been most influential in their lives to the banquet. Those honored receive extensive newspaper coverage and their photographs will be prominently displayed in the chamber of commerce office for one year.

Also honored were the 20^th Annual Metcalfe County Educator of the Year and the 13^th Metcalfe County Educator Idol. This year’s Educator of the Year is Kim Coleman, Guidance Counselor for Metcalfe County Elementary School. Kim’s guests were her husband, Zack, and her daughters, Mackenzie and Kelly. And because so many people wanted to nominate retired persons for the Educator of the Year, we, at the chamber, are so very proud to have Mrs. Judy Polson as our 2021 recipient of this award. Judy’s husband, Freddy and her children, Summer and Shane, and his wife were in attendance.

Other special guests included Metcalfe County Superintendent Josh Hurt, High School Principal Clint Graham, Assistant Principal Rachel Dial, Director of Instruction Jamie Howard, and Brandy Morgan, guidance counselor at MCHS.

Chamber Board members /Officers/Committee members present included Anne Birge, Ronnie Miller, Daniel Bragg, Sherry Devore, Torrie Osbon, Matt Shirley, Cindy McKinney, Chris Lagermann, and Kim Harwood. Chamber Student Representative

Carlie Howard was in attendance.

Henry Damron offered the invocation before a delicious meal prepared and served by Diane’s Cakes & Catering was enjoyed.

Metcalfe County Superintendent of Schools Josh Hurt introduced the guest speaker Mackenzie Coleman, graduate of MCHS Class of 2017. Mackenzie gave a very inspiring speech with good advice for the seniors.

Marla Devore Young introduced the guest speaker Scotty Jones, MCHS Class of 1986. Scotty told of his experiences of growing up in Metcalfe County and the many people who helped him in his journey. He advised seniors to follow their passion and choose a pathway that they will enjoy working all their work lifetime. From humble beginnings, Scotty has traveled to many states and countries sharing his love of music with others.

Former Superintendent Benny Lile introduced our 2021 Metcalfe County Educator Kim Coleman.

Candie Bennett introduced our 2021 Metcalfe County Educator Idol Mrs. Judy Polson. Candie included in her introduction a portion of an eloquent nomination for Mrs. Polson submitted by the late Brent Nunnally.

 MCHS principal Clint Graham did a fantastic job of introducing each Senior Celebrity sharing their many accomplishments and awards. The Chamber officers and the board of directors assisted in the presentation of awards.

Kayla Anderson is the recipient of the 2021 ART Award. Kayla participates in many activities including HOSA, Beta, Sources of Strength, and Art Club of which she serves as president. Kayla works closely with the MC Shirt Shop. Kayla received a 1^st place award in a Marketing and Communications competition. She won an award for being the top student in her dual credit medical terminology class. In the summer of 2020, Kayla received her CNA certification. Kayla plans to attend college and major in psychology and minor in urban studies. Kayla’s guests were her parents, Kim and Wade Anderson, and her favorite teacher, Shana Palumbo.

Shane Frey is the 2021 AVIATION winner. Shane is very dedicated to the aviation program. He plans to go to Somerset Community College and become an Aviation mechanic and work for UPS. Shane’s guests were Tina Frey and Shaun Frey along with Rob Bunch his favorite teacher.

April Bowles is the 2021 BAND recipient. April’s activities include band, track, and Sources of Strength. She is a member of the Honors Band and Leadership Team. April intends to attend Campbellsville University and obtain a major in nursing with a minor in music. April’s mother Brenda Bowles and her favorite teacher Tyler Fenwick were April’s guests.

The 2021 Female Athlete Award goes to Allie Marie Thomas. Allie is a member of the Beta Club. She has run Cross Country for 6 years at Metcalfe County Schools and has run track for 4 years. Allie has held a high GPA while working a job all four years of high school. She has taken college classes with the dual credit program. Allie has qualified for Cross Country State all six years while at Metcalfe County Schools and track running the 3200 meter in 2019. She was top 6 in the region for two consecutive years and won 4^th in the region in 2019. She was runner-up for the state 3200 meter in the region in 2019. Allie holds five cross county school records and one track record, including breaking the school 5K girls’ record from 2007 for cross country. Allie’s running earned her a trip to Australia to run for Team USA in 2017. In Beta, Allie won 4th in the State in creative writing and made top 10 in creative writing as a National award winner in Oklahoma.

She served as Beta Secretary for MCHS in 2020. Allie will attend Hanover College this fall and will major in wildlife biology. She will continue her running career at Hanover. As her guests, Allie had her parents, Mark and Sherry Thomas, and her most special teacher, Bryant Stockton.

Boston Devore is the 2021 Male Athlete recipient. Boston is a member of FCA, FFA, and the National Honor Society. He has been a member of the varsity basketball and baseball teams for five years. Boston has been named to the 16^th District Boys Basketball All District Team all four years of high school. He was named to the 4^th Region All Tournament Basketball Team his sophomore year. He made the 4^th Region Basketball 2^nd Team his junior year and received the 4^th Region Policy Board Scholarship this year. Boston made the 4^th Region Basketball Class A All Tournament team his junior and senior year and is a member of the 2019-2020 4^th Region Class A Basketball Tournament Championship Team. He is also a member of the 2020-2021 16^th District Basketball Championship Team. Boston joined the 1,000 point club his junior year and pulled down his 500^th rebound his Senior year. He ended his Metcalfe County Hornet Basketball Career with a total of 1,680 points, 522 rebounds, 187 assists, and 164 steals while working part-time, running his own mowing business, and maintaining a 3.75 GPA. Boston plans to attend Somerset Community College to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy. Boston’s parents, David and Dawn Devore, and his favorite educator, Tim McMurtrey were his guests.

 Annika Reed is the recipient of duo awards in FFA and is one of the three top scholars. Annika is President of the MCHS FFA Chapter as well as a member of NHS, BETA, FCA, Gifted and Talented, and the Academic Team. She is a school tutor and student employee at the MC Shirt Shop. Annika is a varsity member of the basketball and volleyball teams, as well as a three-year member of the BRAVO Club Volleyball travel team. She has received honors such as KHSAA All-State Academic first team, KHSAA/KDA 2021 Ag Athlete of the Year, highest ACT score of junior class with a score of 32, 2018 Roger’s Scholar, Top Three in Tri-County’s Washington Youth Tour essay contest, Kentucky State Fair FFA 1^st place in state seed identification competition, 16^th District All-Tournament team in varsity volleyball, and has achieved several academic awards throughout high school, maintain a 4.0 GPA while taking various advanced placement and dual credit courses. Annika will be attending Campbellsville University this fall, majoring in pre-veterinary science while also playing volleyball for the Lady Tigers. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree, she plans to attend Auburn University for her Doctorate of veterinary medicine. Annika had as her guest her parents, Ronnie and Laura Reed, and her favorite educator, Mielle DiStefano.

Lauren McKenzie Claire Wilson is the recipient of the HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Award. She is the daughter of Amy and Jason Neighbors and Chris and Misty Wilson. Claire is a member of Beta, HOSA, and the National Honor Society. She has played softball for MCMS and MCHS for seven years and cheered for MCMS and MCHS for seven years. Her senior year she served as the captain of the cheerleading squad. She was an MCHS Student Ambassador in 2019-2020 and on the MCHS Leadership Team in 2019-2020.

Claire has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and is in the top 5% of her class. She received her certification as a KY State Registered Nurse Aide in 2020. She was also a 2020 Farmers RECC Washington Youth Tour recipient.

Claire’s future plans involve furthering her education as a student at Somerset Community College in Somerset, KY. She plans to enter the college’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program in the fall with an anticipated graduation date in the spring of 2023. Claire’s parents, Jason and Amy Neighbors, and her most inspiring educator, Melissa Smith were her guests.

Weston Walker is the DRAMA recipient for 2021. Weston has participated in multiple plays at school, church, and Barn Lot Theater. Weston has a 3.75 GPA and has ranked 22^nd out of 104 Metcalfe senior students. He scored an 83 on his ASVAB, which has opened up many job opportunities. He also scored a 29 his junior year on the ACT. He was the first MCHS student to pass the TRACK test for Electricity while he studied at the Monroe County ATC. He also spent a summer within the Upward Bound Program at Lindsey Wilson College. Weston has always had a desire to protect and serve, therefore, he enlisted in August 2020 as a United States Marine poolee. His test scores qualify him for every job the Marine Corp offers. Once he becomes a United States Marine, he plans to pursue his Military Occupation Specialty in intelligence and retire after 20+ years of service. He will depart on August 2nd for boot camp in Paris Island, SC. Weston’s guests were his parents, Dennis and Brookie Walker, and his favorite educator, Kelly Shaw.

The chamber chooses to honor the top three students in the class as of this date. Joining Annika Reed and Autumn Glass in receiving this award this year is Allie DeWeese. Allie’s school activities include volleyball, National Honors Society, BETA Club, and Sources of Strength. Allie’s honors include being a member of WKU Honors College, Principal’s list, and numerous class awards. Her future plans are to attend Western Kentucky University and major in Psychology and Criminology. Allie’s guests were her parents, Alan and Morgan Deweese, and her most outstanding educator, Ellie Johnson.

The final Top Scholar is Autumn Glass. Autumn’s school activities include Varsity Cheerleading, National Honors Society, Beta, Health Occupational Students of America, Sources of Strength, and D. A. R. E Program. Her honors include Governor’s Scholar, 4.0 GPA, Miss Metcalfe County, All A Classic Scholarship reward, Toyota of Bowling Green March Scholar Athlete, and Kentucky High School Athletic Association All State Award. Autumn plans to attend the University of Kentucky and major in biology. Autumn had as her guests her parents, Russ and Summer Glass, and her most influential teacher, Kelly Shaw.

The 4-H recipient this year is Hunter Nunnally. Hunter’s school activities include four years of baseball, 4-H shooting sports, and Beta. During high school, Hunter has been on the A-B Honor Roll and won 1^st place in the State 4-H pistol shoot competition. Hunter received a scholarship from Western Kentucky University and plans to attend this fall. Hunter had as his guests his parents, Jonathan and Charity Nunnally and Donald and April Walbert, his most inspirational educator, Rob Bunch, and Metcalfe County 4-H Agent, Amy Branstetter.

The Edmonton Metcalfe County Chamber of Commerce Memorial Scholarship was established in 1997. Since that time over $11,000.00 has been given to worthy Metcalfe County High School Seniors. A Chamber Committee selects the recipient from the applications submitted. All seniors who are planning on attending post-graduate school, whether it be a college or technical school, are encouraged to submit an application. The Chamber proudly honors Daniel Wright as the 2021 Memorial Scholarship recipient.

Daniel is a member of the BETA, FFA, and Sting Clubs. During his senior year, he has taken eighteen college credit hours at SKYCTC. Outside of school, he has been working twenty-five-plus hours a week at Edmonton IGA. He has maintained a 3.5 or higher GPA all four years of high school. At the high school level, he has had four years of perfect attendance. At the middle and elementary level, five or more years of perfect attendance. He has been on the A/B honor roll all of his educational years. Daniel will attend SKYCTC this fall with a major in business. He desires to work in the service sector at UPS and use his business degree to move up the ladder at the company. Daniel’s guests were his parents, Stephen and Jennifer Wright, and Mr. Henry Damron, his favorite educator.

Unfortunately, Azura Vibbert was unable to attend this year’s banquet. Azura, daughter of Michael and Amy Vibbert, is a double recipient receiving both the ACADEMIC TEAM & STLP (Student Technology Leadership Program) awards. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. Azura plans to attend college and obtain a degree in Computer Science.