PHS graduates class of 2009

The Piggott High School class of 2009 celebrates at the conclusion of commencement exercises with a rain of mortarboards. (Times photo/Tim Blair) [Click to enlarge]

This year's valedictorian was Elizabeth DiPaola, while the salutatorian was Sarah Merrell. The remainder of the top 10 included Nicole Foster, Zach Smart, Andrea Wilson, Tiffany Wierzbicki, Andrea Edwards, Colby Laxton, Sharmarie Burdin and Josh Small.

With a packed house in attendance, the class of 2009 marched into the gym to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance. Class member Adam Shelton then offered the opening prayer, and the various scholarships and special awards were handed out by counselors Phyllis Morgan and Kim Rouse.

The class then received their diplomas from school board vice president Neil Morgan, as PHS principal Barry DeHart read the names of the graduates. The evening also included a performance by the Piggott School Choral group, and speeches by the top two graduates.

DiPaola was recognized as valedictorian, and as an honor graduate. She was also recipient of a $3,000 Wal-Mart scholarship, $500 Piggott Elementary Faculty scholarship, $500 Leland Sells Memorial scholarship, $100 Art Club scholarship, the Spanish Distance Learning award and an academic scholarship from the University of the Ozarks.

Merrell was recognized as salutatorian and an honor student, received the English award, was recipient of a $500 Piggott Elementary Faculty scholarship and will receive an academic distinction scholarship from BRTC.

Other awards and scholarships included Daniel Cheshire, $500 Piggott Elementary Faculty Scholarship; Andrea Edwards, honor graduate, $300 class of 1988 scholarship, $550 Ira and Lillian Langley Scholarship, $500 St. Francis Masonic Lodge scholarship and $500 J.B. Swift Memorial Scholarship; Hillary French, honor graduate, $100 Science Club scholarship and $100 Treasure Chest scholarship; Nicole Foster, honor graduate, $2,000 L.A. Darling Scholarship, $400 Class of 1970 scholarship, English award, Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship and a scholarship to Arkansas Tech University.

Kasey Beck, President's Scholarship to BRTC, $2,500 Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, $600 Erica Rickman Memorial Scholarship, $275 Ira and Lillian Langley Scholarship and $150 Beta Club Scholarship; Tyler Grubb, baseball scholarship to attend Williams Baptist College and the ART scholarship given by the Chuck Schulte family; Shelby Gossett, Family and Consumer Sciences Award; Kaitlin Morgan, honor graduate, $250 Mohawk Booster Club Scholarship; Jonathan Wright, honor graduate, $1,000 Ryan Pounds Memorial Scholarship given by the Piggott FFA and the family and friends of Ryan Pounds, and the Kent Greene Memorial Scholarship; Josh Small, honor graduate, $20,000 scholarship to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Math Award, $6,000 College Education Scholarship for 2009 presented by the U.S. Tennis Association, $300 FBLA scholarship, $150 Beta Club scholarship, Business Award and $50 Art Club Scholarship; Tiffany Wierzbicki, honor graduate, Dean's Scholarship to UCA, Athletic Band stipend to UCA, Music Scholarship to UCA and Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.

Danielle Tompkins, honor graduate, Rodeo Scholarship to Northeast Texas Community College; Michael Morgan, honor graduate, $2,000 MFA/Morris Farm Center scholarship, $1,000 Piggott State Bank scholarship and $1,000 Clay County Conservation District scholarship; Bobby Coyle, $2,400 Arkansas State University Band Performance Scholarship and $400 Class of 1970 scholarship; Daniel Baldwin, $600 Jimmy Hannah Memorial Scholarship and $500 Dr. B.B. Layl Memorial Scholarship; Zach Smart, honor graduate and $100 Art Club scholarship; Amber Malone, Art Award and $100 Art Club scholarship; Andrea Wilson, honor graduate, President's Scholarship to BRTC; Colby Laxton, honor graduate and Spanish Award; Sharmarie Burdin, honor graduate, $200 Joann Barlow Memorial Scholarship; Kenna Dennis, $400 Class of 1970 Scholarship.

Jake Pollard, Perfect Attendance Award and $400 Class of 1970 scholarship; Victoria McDaniel, $100 Treasure Chest scholarship; Kalem Rouse, $500 Wise Company scholarship; Rob Rice, $500 Wise Company scholarship; Adam Shelton, $300 FBLA scholarship; Kacy Lyman, honor graduate, $20,000 per year academic scholarship to St. Louis University, $500 NAPUS scholarship, graduate of Arkansas Math and Science School and Merit Award winner from Arkansas Math and Science School; Sam Yates, $2,500 Arkansas Academic Challenge scholarship; Amber Moore, $2,500 Arkansas Academic Challenge scholarship; Sierra Owen, E.C. White Memorial Band Scholarship and Elise Watson, $500 Wise Company scholarship.

This year's honor students were Alicia Allman, Kasey Beck, Sharmarie Burdin, Nicole Foster, Jonathan Wright, Tiffany Wierzbicki, Zack Smart, Josh Small, Amber Moore, Elizabeth DiPaola, Colby Laxton, Cameron Carter, Andrea Edwards, Katy Broadway, James Hendrix, Justin Howell, Sarah Merrell, Michael Morgan, Kiley Mode, Jake Pollard, Adam Shelton, Elise Watson, Taylor Wikowsky, Sam Yates, Danielle Tompkins, Hillary French, Andrea Wilson and Kaitlin Morgan.