May 23, 2022
Sikeston High School seniors receive diplomas Monday night
SIKESTON — Approximately 235 Sikeston High School and New Horizons High School graduates received diplomas Monday during the 121st annual outdoor commencement at Sikeston Public Schools’ Stadium. Leading the class in academics were Ellie Noe as valedictorian and Raghad Alkilani as salutatorian...
By Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat
SIKESTON — Approximately 235 Sikeston High School and New Horizons High School graduates received diplomas Monday during the 121st annual outdoor commencement at Sikeston Public Schools’ Stadium.
Leading the class in academics were Ellie Noe as valedictorian and Raghad Alkilani as salutatorian.
Noe, who is the daughter of Doyle Noe and Molly Sain, was active in orchestra, Model UN, World Language Club, National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Student Council and Key Club.
Alkilani is the daughter of Hadeel and Muhammad Alkilani. She was active in Student Council, Key Club, ASTRA Club, Model UN, National Honor Society, Link Crew, Inspired, A-Plus and track.
The outdoor ceremony opened with “Pomp and Circumstance” by the school band and the national anthem. Presiding senior class president Christopher Bonner presented the speakers for the ceremony, and the high school choir performed, “Fly Away Home” by Pinkzebra and “The Red and The Black.”
Chloe Teal read the senior poem, “Paths of Life,” which she wrote.
“No matter what path you take, always remember to take a break. Your mind has more knowledge than you know; which which path shall you go,” Teal said in her poem.
She continued, reminding the graduates they held their mother’s hand not so long ago and now no longer take her command as they’ve all matured.
“So many things you may be unsure about; Make sure you carefully pick you route. This is your voyage of self discovery; We were all in such a hurry. Which path shall you go? Where it is, I hope you grow!” Teal concluded.
Selected speakers Chloe Bles and Noe each gave speeches based on the class poem and also introduced their respective fathers, Board of Education President Chad Bles, and SHS Principal Dr. Doyle Noe.
In her speech, “Resilient,” Bles reminded her peers how they were able to withstand and quickly recover from difficult conditions.
“Of all the words I could use to describe the class of 2022, resilient is the first one that comes to mind,” Bles said. “The class of 2022 has been put through situations that none of us could have been prepared for. Our last ‘normal’ year of high school was our freshman year. We had one … normal … year of high school.”
Bles recalled attending high school during a pandemic which included a shortened sophomore year and a mask-filled junior year.
“We pushed through and overcame to accomplish incredible things, considering the circumstances,” Bles said.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 66% of students found it more difficult to complete their schoolwork and over half of the students experienced emotional abuse by a parent or adult in their home, Bles said. Nearly 35% of students worldwide dropped out of high school due to pandemic-related issues.
“But we made it. … We excelled,” Bles said. “Upon graduating, 57% of the graduates sitting here will attend college; 185 will go into the workplace; 5% have decided to attend technical school; and 1% of us will enlist in the military.
She continued: “If that isn’t impressive, this class has been awarded a staggering $1,029,778 in scholarships. The sleepless nights, endless assignments and the many, many hours of homework paid off. We … are … resilient.”
So when they think of leaving SHS and find themselves struggling, whether its with college or work life, just look back on their accomplishments, Bles told her peers.
“You were abel to overcome impossible odds and graduate in times that pushed most people past their breaking points. You survived high school during a pandemic. … You can do anything!”
In her speech, “Believe in Yourself,” Noe encouraged her peers to do just that.
“Believe in yourself,” Noe said. “That is a phrase that we have all heard countless times throughout our years as students. We were taught to believe in our ability to achieve anything we want in life. Our parents, teachers and counselors have always encourages us to strive for greatness in our education and future careers.”
On Monday, Noe said, she was reaffirming that message to each and every one of her fellow graduates.
“Now more than ever before, we need to believe in ourselves and our ability to be successful in the world,” Noe said.
Graduation marked their transition from a highly structured environment to one where they alone determine their fate, Noe said. Now, they must push themselves to accomplish their goals and assume full responsibility for their lives.
The class valedictorian also said her peers must credit themselves for their hard work over the past 12 years. Every day, they chose to believe in themselves, she said.
“Do not view graduation as the end result of years of hard work. Instead, view it as the starting point for the rest of your life. The sky’s the limit for what you can achieve if you truly believe in yourself.”
After being introduced by his daughter, High School Principal Dr. Doyle Noe then announced honors and awards of graduates.
Superintendent Dr. Tony Robinson, who was introduced by Dekyria Jones, presented the class while Board of Education President Chad Bles and fellow board members handed out diplomas. High School Assistant Principal/Academic Principal Tiffany Morgan and New Horizons High School Principal Brian James also helped announce graduates as they received diplomas.
The new graduates seem to be optimistic about their futures beyond high school.
Jay Lape said he was excited to see what his future holds.
“It’s going to be a new step in my future, but I think I’m ready,” Lape said.
He plans to study film and television production at DePaul University.
“I’m excited to try new things,” Lape said. While he remains uncertain about what job he wants to pursue with his degree, Lape said he might like to be a director some day.
Teal, who will attend Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, and major in art and business, said she was excited for new beginnings.
In her speech Teal reminded her peers that it doesn’t matter what path they take as long as they strive to do their best.
“We need different types of workers everywhere, and I don’t think any job should be looked down upon,” Teal said, adding that a four-year school is not for everyone.
Meanwhile, Bonner said he plans to attend St. Louis University to major in international studies and economics.
“I’m really excited to graduate — a little bit anxious — but much more excited because it took so long for it happen. It was just really big build up to it,” Bonner said.
Bles agreed. She plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University and major in elementary education.
“I want them to realize how amazing we are because we’ve been put through so much because we didn’t just barely pass by; we exceeded expectations and we achieved so much — more than normal — and we were put under such crazy circumstances,” Bles said of her classmates. “I really want everyone to be proud of what they accomplished.”
Noe shared Bles’ sentiment. She plans to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia and major in animal and dairy sciences in preparation for the pre-veterinary program.
“I know the last few years have been really hard on everyone, and it’s kind of made a lot of people feel like they weren’t cut out for it (high school and beyond) so I want them to know that whatever they want to do, they can achieve,” Noe said of her fellow graduates. “I believe in all of them and their abilities to attend college, military — wherever they want to go, I know they can do.”
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