On Friday, December 14, 11 Haywood High School Reach Academy students earned their diplomas at a commencement ceremony at Sunny Hill. Those earning their high school diplomas were Stephanie Barbee, Chardonnay DeMoss, Diara Dorris (Valedictorian), Andre Douglas, Lori Elrod, Oneal Jones, Germaine Mann, Ashley Meyers, David Sangster, Katlyn Saxon (Salutatorian) and Alvin Williams. Yvette Blue is the Dean of the Reach Academy, and Stephen May the HHS Reach Graduation Coach.

Special guests at the event were Haywood County School Board members Harold Garrett and Pearlie Hess and Brownsville Mayor Jo Matherne. Participating in the ceremony were HHS Senior Class President Rashad Mann, HHS Superintendent of Schools Teresa Russell, and HHS Principal Dr. Jerry Pyron. Joey Conner, a HHS alumnus and a local businessman and owner of Conner Real Estate, gave the commencement address. Graduate Chardonnay DeMoss sang “I Believe” during the ceremony with accompaniment by Rickey Reed. Also attending were HHS Vice Principal Michelle Tillman, HHS Assistant Principal Tim Seymour, newly appointed Dean of Reach Academy Drayton Hawkins, Haywood Schools Deputy Superintendent Vincent Harvell, and Associate Superintendents Art Garrett and Toni Eubanks.

Lori Elrod

Haywood County Schools Superintendent Teresa Russell participated in the HHS Reach Academy Graduation on Friday night at the Sunny Hill Innovative Learning Center. Nine students received their diplomas.

Presenting the commencement address at the Reach Academy Graduation Friday night was Joey Conner, HHS alumnus and local businessman and owner of Conner Real Estate.

Diara Dorris – Valedictorian

Katlyn Saxon – Salutatorian

Graduate Chardonnay DeMoss sang “I Believe” during the ceremony with accompaniment by Rickey Reed.