Smith, MacMurray lead PHS Class of 2022

To signify their graduation, members of the Portageville High School Class of 2022 move their tassels from right to the left of their hats.

Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. - The weather failed to dampen the spirits of the Portageville High School Class of 2022 at their May 5 graduation ceremony.

This year’s ceremony was moved indoors to the high school gymnasium due to the rain. The gym quickly filled as family and friends gathered to honor the 49 graduates.

Barry Branscum, PHS principal, welcomed the public to the ceremony. He also introduced the administrators and school board members, who were seated on the gymnasium’s stage.

Thomas Brennan Greenwell, the class secretary, and Madelyn White, class president, provided the opening remarks.

Greenwell and White were also among the Top 10 in the PHS Class of 2022. Others in the Top 10 were William Patrick Jamison, Skilar Irene MacMurray, Gracie Lynne Pardon, Emma Caroline Redd, Emma Marie Smith, Niklas Isaiah Sullivan, Grace Leigh Watson and Cayden Shane Weller.

This year’s graduation speakers were the class’ top two students, Smith, the 2022 valedictorian, and MacMurray, the 2022 salutatorian.

Smith, the 18-year-old daughter of Mike and Gerry Smith of Portageville, has participated in Beta Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, FBLA, FCCLA, Art Club and choir. Also she was a member of the school’s softball team for four years, volleyball team for two years and a cheerleader for one year

She plans to attend Three Rivers College in hopes of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.

MacMurray,18, is the daughter of Brian and Linette Neeley of Portageville. While in high school she participated in Beta Club, National Honor Society, and choir.

She plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University to major in business administration.

Following the presentation of diplomas by Branscum and Mark Moody, president of the Board of Education, the class officers led their classmates and former PHS graduates in singing the school’s “Alma Mater.”

The following students have received scholarships and awards:

Joshua Adams: Dr. James Deere Memorial Scholarship.

Brennan Greenwell: Arkansas Northeastern College George and Nancy Trimue Board of Trustees Academic Scholarship, First State Bank and Trust Horace H. Dunagan Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Laiken Palmer Memorial Scholarship, Portageville Bulldog Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation Scholarship.

William Jamison: Arkansas Northeastern College George and Nancy Trimue Board of Trustees Academic Scholarship.

Kelton Graham: Arkansas Northeastern College George and Nancy Trimue Board of Trustees Technical Scholarship, Portageville Bulldog Foundation,

Parker Hall: Portageville Bulldog Foundation,Terry Brasher Memorial Scholarship.

Skilar MacMurray: Arkansas Northeastern College George and Nancy Trimue Board of Trustees Academic Scholarship.

Gracie Pardon: Dr. David Boyd and the We Care Team Scholarship, Portageville Bulldog Foundation, V.T. and Rita Rogers Scholarship.

Emma Redd: Arkansas Northeastern College George and Nancy Trimue Board of Trustees Academic Scholarship, PDTA Scholarship, Dr. James Deere Memorial Scholarship, Portageville Bulldog Foundation, V.T. and Rita Rogers Scholarship, New Madrid County Memorial VFW Scholarship.

Ollie Saenz: Portageville Jaycee Scholarship, Beth Cross Music Scholarship, Student Council Scholarship, American Red Cross Lifeblood Scholarship, Bruce and Sue Memorial Scholarship, Portageville Bulldog Foundation, First United Methodist Church Scholarship.

Emma Smith: Arkansas Northeastern College George and Nancy Trimue Board of Trustees Academic Scholarship, Bank of New Madrid Joseph E. and Harriette H. McCrate Scholarship; First State Community Bank Scholarship, Portageville Bulldog Foundation, New Madrid County VFW Scholarship, V.T. and Rita Rogers Scholarship.

Niklas Sullivan: Arkansas Northeastern College George and Nancy Trimue Board of Trustees Academic Scholarship.

Jaren Walls: Brady Scherer Memorial Scholarship, Portageville Bulldog Foundation, New Madrid County VFW Scholarship.

Grace Watson: Arkansas Northeastern College George and Nancy Trimue Board of Trustees Academic Scholarship, MAHEO Scholarship, Nucor Corporation Educational Scholarship.

Blake Weddington: Arkansas Northeastern College George and Nancy Trimue Board of Trustees Technical Scholarship.

Madelyn White: Arkansas Northeast College George and Nancy Trimue Board of Trustees Academic Scholarship, Portageville Ministerial Alliance, First Church of God, Portageville Bulldog Foundation, V.T. and Rita Rogers Scholarship, New Madrid County Memorial VFW Scholarship, and Hagan Scholarship Foundation.

Alex Winsor: Portageville Bulldog Foundation, V.T. and Rita Rogers Scholarship.