The Hope High School Class of 2022 says farewell to HHS with the final strains of the Hope Alma Mater rising over Hammons Stadium here May 13.. – Ken McLemore/Hope Public Schools

PRESS RELEASE

by Ken McLemore

HOPE – A student-led commencement for the Hope High School Class of 2022 was marked with a call from the Biblical prophet Isaiah as graduating seniors were honored in commencement ceremonies May 13 at Hammons Stadium.

Hope Public Schools Superintendent Jonathan Crossley took the context of Isaiah, Chapter 6, as the basis for his charges to the graduating seniors to reflect the Bible prophet’s attitude of service.

“He said, ‘Here I am, Lord, send me,’” Crossley noted.

With that theme in mind, he asked the graduating students to be prepared for the “next step” in their lives, but to always be available for the service life entails.

“And, remember, we love you and we are proud of you,” Crossley said.

The valedictory was given by Shakira Arnett, who noted that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Class of 2022 achieved their goal of graduation. Arnett said it was her firm belief the Class of 2022 would, indeed, change the world because of the leadership and creativity embodied in it. With a nod to HHS faculty and an expression of thanks to her parents, Arnett concluded with a wish for the success of each of her classmates.

Graduate Richard Ware, winner of the Heidi Hoglund Memorial Scholarship and the Beryl Henry Award, gave the charge to the Class of 2022.

Referring to an irritating childhood nickname, “Mr. Know It All,” given him by his mother, HHS EAST Facilitator Adrianne Ware, Richard used that moniker as the theme for his charge to the class by noting the fluidity of life that prevents anyone from “knowing it all.”

Ware said his goals through life have changed numerous times: becoming an inventor, then a lawyer, perhaps a teacher, but that the changing horizons were “okay.”

He said none of the Class of 2022 was expected to be “perfect” in navigating the changes that come next.

Ware referred to the example of his piano teacher, Allen Batts, to note that the respected pianist was always enthused about learning new music because it made him persistent in having faith in himself.

Referring to his service as governor at Arkansas Boys’ State, Ware noted his goal to become the first Black man to serve as Governor of Arkansas, a point which drew some applause, but he reminded his classmates that life remains fluid, that no-one “knows it all,” but each of them should have the faith in themselves, the willingness to learn, and the confidence to succeed that will let them face the future.

The 19 graduates of the Hope Collegiate Academy at the University of Arkansas-Hope received Associate of Arts degrees from the UAH on May 10 in ceremonies at Hempstead Hall.

The HCA class included Carlie Beck, Sydnie Booker, Alecia Bradley, Cody Clayton, Ashlyn Courtney, Collin Easterling, Alana Flenory, Kai Hamilton, Katie Howard, Courtland Jackson, Bradley Kellar, Juan Leon, Hunter Mathis, Sailor McRaven, Jimmy Parades, Brooklyn Robinson, Keller Tomlin, Griffin Trauger, and Samantha Ventura.

Honor graduates for the Class of 2022 were:

SUMMA CUM LAUDE – Shakira Arnett, Collin Easterling, Montavius Eason, Hunter Mathis.

MAGNA CUM LAUDE – Juan Leon, Sydnie Booker, Richard Ware, Courtland Jackson, Khyianna Smith, Brandon Gallegos, Krystal Vasquez, Melanie Lara, Jocelyn Castro, Margauxsoul Masie Maclaughlin, Enrique Solis, Samantha Ventura.

CUM LAUDE – Rocio Martinez, Ashlyn Courtney, Skylar Wilburn, Da’sheunna Purifoy, Aniya Trotter, Jamesha Armstrong, Katherine Bartlett, Brenda Ventura, Keyonati Haynes.

HHS faculty honors announced May 12 included:

American Legion Citizenship Award – C’aiarh King, Oscar Marquez.

Beryl Henry Award – Richard Ware.

Irma Dean Award – Montavius Eason.

James H. Jones Award – Alana Flenory, Jimmy Paredes.

Scholarship awards announced May 12 included: (Some awards information was not complete at press time.)

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Scholarship – Eva Davis.

April Love Memorial Award – Montavius Eason, Richard Ware.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity – Montavius Eason.

Arkansas School Plant Management Association Scholarship – Ashlyn Courtney.

Civitan Scholarship – Eva Davis.

Counselor’s Award – Jimmy Paredes, Oscar Marquez.

Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship – Carlie Beck.

Delta Sigma Theta: Magnolia Alumnae Chapter Book Scholarship – Richard Ware.

Earl Downs Memorial Scholarship – Oscar Marquez.

Gwendolyn Roshelle Smith Scholarship – Ashlyn Courtney.

Hempstead County Retired Teachers Association – Carlie Beck.

Hope Evening Lions Club – Montavius Eason.

Hope Lions Club Scholarship – Hunter Mathis.

Junior Auxiliary of Hope – Bradley Kellar, Alan Easterling, Ashlyn Courtney, Kai Hamilton.

Kiwanis Club: Jim McKenzie Memorial Scholarship – Ashlyn Courtney.

Kiwanis Club: Henry Seamans Scholarship – Montavius Eason.

Karen Ivers Dyslexia Scholarship – Margauxsoul Maclaughlin.

Life Share Life Scholarship – C’aiarh King.

Lurlean Cannon Phillips Scholarship: Arkansas Community Foundation – Montavius Eason.

Pafford Medical Services Scholarship – Ashlyn Courtney.

Steel Dynamics New Millennium Scholarship – Corwin Turner.

Wadley Hospital Auxiliary at Hope Scholarship – Ashlyn Courtney.

Yerger Rutherford Scholarship – Richard Ware.

Arkansas Tech University – Skakira Arnette, Collin Easterling, Alana Flenory, Chandler Flenory, Brandon Gallegos, Juan Leon, Darlene Matamoras, Hunter Mathis.

Henderson State University – Katherine Bartlett, Bradley Kellar, Ammorrion Dempsey, Jimmy Paredes, Khyianna Smith, Skyler Wilburn.

Hendrix College – Kearon Brown.

Ouachita Baptist University – Kearon Brown, Jimmy Paredes.

Southern Arkansas University Scholarship – Carlie Beck, Griffin Trauger.

University of Arkansas at Fayetteville – Sydnie Booker, Alecia Bradley, Cody Clayton, Ashlyn Courtney, Montavius Eason, Alan Flenory, Courtland Jackson, Samantha Ventura, Richard Ware.

University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Scholarship – Skyler Wilburn (UAHT Honors Scholarship).

University of Arkansas at Little Rock – Montavius Eason.

University of Central Arkansas – Brandon Gallegos, C’aiarh King, Richard Ware.

Missouri Western State University – Ammorrian Dempsey.

Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship – 

Career/Technical Completers – 

WorkKeys Certification – Nixey Aguilar, Iris Alvarado, Jamesha Armstrong, Shakira Arnett, Sadie Bacon, Taylor Banks, Katherine Bartlett, Carlie Beck, Sydnie Booker, Alecia Bradley, Oscar Bruno, Dakota Burchette, Jocelyn Castro, Julian Chapa, Ashlyn Courtney, Ka’asijah Cox, Yulisa DeLaRosa, Ammorrion Dempsey, Montavius Eason, Jason Easterling, Alayshia Ellis, Alana Flenory, Chandler Flenory, Gregorio Frayre, Rebekah Fulton, Barndon Gallegos, Antonio Garcia, Markayla Hall, Kai Hamilton, Dahja Henderson, Tamera Henderson, Joshua Henley, Katie Howard, Courtland Jackson, Michael Johnson, Bradley Kellar, C’aiarh King, Juan Leon, Armando Lopez, Brenda Lopez, Margauxsoul Maclaughlin, Raina Masters, Hunter Mathis, Sunny McKamie, Nadya Munoz, Jimmy Paredes, Da’sheunna Purifoy, Maliyah Richardson, Jadora Rivera, Brooklyn Robinson, Paige Shroads, Wesley Smith, Destiny Stuart, James Tomlin, Corbin Tucker, Corwin Turner, Giovanni Vargas, Brenda Ventura, Samantha Ventura, Hale’ Ward, Richard Ware, Skyler Wilburn, Kyla Wyatt.

National Honor Society (senior stoles) – Odalis Aldaba, Jamesha Armstrong, Skakira Arnett, Sydnie Booker, Kearon Brown, Eva Davis, Jocelyn Castro, Ashlyn Courtney, Ammorrion Dempsey, Montavius Eason, Brandon Gallegos, C’aiarh King, Melanie Lara, Brenda Lopez, Brittany Martinez, Michelle Martinez, Darlene Matamoras, Massie McLaughlin, Jadora Rivera, Khyianna Smith, Krystal Vasequez, Hale’ Ward, Richard Ware, Kylia Wyatt.

The Creative Action Team School campus graduated senior students with the HHS Class of 2022 including HUB Seniors Jonathan Aguilar, Gian Almazan, Christian Calderon, Aldair Cardova, Crystal Cordova, Nakenya Ellison, Obel Hernandez, Osiel Hernandez, Julian Lara, Mariah Martin, Carla Mendoza, Ilesha Morris, Cortez Rhodes, Eduardo Rodriguez, Erick Rodriguez, Leslie Rodriguez, Brandi Sanders, Joshua Smith, Merlyn Wahyudi, Zakarreya White, Thalia Zarate, and ALE Senior Michael Nelson.

The honor graduates of the Hope High School Class of 2022 were introduced during the annual Senior Awards Night at Hempstead Hall on May 12. The students represented the highest academics among the graduates of the Class of 2022, with Shakira Arnett graduating first in the class. – Ken McLemore/Hope Public Schools

The Hope Collegiate Academy Class of 2022 received Associate of Arts degrees from the University of Arkansas-Hope in ceremonies at Hempstead Hall prior to graduation from Hope High School in commencement exercises May 13 at Hammons Stadium. – Ken McLemore/Hope Public Schools

Faculty awards presented to students of the Hope High School Class of 2022 at the Senior Awards Night on May 12 included The American Legion Citizenship Award to C’aiarh King and Oscar Marquez; The James H. Jones Award to Alana Flenory and Jimmy Paredes; The Irma Dean Award to Montavius Eason; and The Beryl Henry Award to Richard Ware. – Ken McLemore/Hope Public Schools