Clarksdale High School Valedictorian Jodarylrius Blake urged his classmates to remember all they were given by Clarksdale schools and use it to make their future bright for themselves and the world.
Blake was part of the CHS graduating Class of 2023 that accepted their diplomas, Saturday morning May 27 in front of a packed house at The Pinnacle on the campus of Coahoma Community College.
“We started high school and then COVID hit and we found ourselves learning in front of a computer,” said Blake. Things got back to normal our Junior year and we have been able to establish those relationships with classmates and teachers.”
Blake said his high school years taught him to persist if he wanted to succeed.
Salutatorian Japhia Howard gave the invocation to start graduation ceremonies.
“Thank you Father for blessing us at Clarksdale High School,” said Howard. “Help us to use the education we received for a better tomorrow
Saturday’s ceremonies opened with the American Flag presented by a snappy, CHS JROTC Color Guard.
CMSD School Board President Rev. Zedric Clayton was scheduled to deliver remarks Trustee Dr. Manika Kemp filled in in his absence.
Superintendent Dr. Toya Matthews offered her remarks and challenged graduates to move forward into productive lives.
“Many of you will go on successful careers, some will start family, some with enter the military and a few of you will go on to college,” said Matthews. “I will be glad to see what the world holds for you. I urge you to continue to call on us.”
There were 139 students listed in the program and diplomas were handed with the assistance of CHS Principal Herbert Smith and CHS staff.
Students were recognized with cords and stoles declaring the following organizations and honors: National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Honor Graduate with Distinction, Honor Graduate, FCCLA, Mu Alpha Theta, National Technical Honor Society, ROTC Cadet and Two Time Blood Donor.
Class Officers were: Se’Marje McGregory, President; Dantaijah Owens, Vice President; Makenzie Morris, Secretary; Anna Gooden, Treasurer.
Henry Espy IV was named Mr. Clarksdale High School and Dantaijah Owens was named Miss Clarksdale High School.
Class sponsors wee Carol Gist, Elizabeth Gibbon, Sharon James and Yvette McCullum.
The Clarksdale Board of Trustees is made up of Zedric Clayton, LaFiesta Roland, Manika Kemp, Clara Sims and Sarah Trimm.
The Class Motto was “We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.”
