Coyle High School’s Class of 2024 became the first Logan County school to hold graduation ceremonies as 24 seniors earned their diplomas Friday night, May 10.
This class will be forever connected to COVID-19 as they were freshmen when the pandemic hit and had to navigate through two years of rules and safety guidelines not normally attributed to everyday school life.
It also was Principal Shane Weathers’ final graduation ceremony before closing out a 32-year career with a June 30 retirement.
The nearly-full crowd in the gym heard Salutatorian speeches from Ryleigh Long and Gracey McBane. Valedictorians were Joaquin Amaro, Aidyn Cross, Alex Jennings, Brennan Robinson and Lilly Ritter.
Fifteen of the 24 graduates will be starting college as sophomores due to concurrent enrollment.
The Class of 2024 received approximately $340,200 in scholarships and grants. All of the seniors received a Stand for the Silent Scholarship in the amount of $1,500 each for the college/career tech of their choice on behalf of Kirk Smalley and the Stand for the Silent Organization, totaling $37,500.
Among the scholarships awarded: * Amaro received $14,000 to attend the University of Oklahoma and $5,100 more in scholarships from other groups.
* Cross received over $7,000 in scholarships and grants at Oklahoma State University.
* Jennings received the Presidential Leadership Council Scholarship for Northern Oklahoma College at Tonkawa for $28,000.
* Johnna Howell will be attending Langston University. She received the Masonic Lodge Scholarship for $4,000 and Langston University Scholarships totaling $16,000.
* Long will be attending Northwestern State University, where she is receiving $7,700 in scholastic academic scholarships.
* Regan Price is taking his rodeo talents to Pratt Community Junior College in Pratt, Kan., as part of the Rodeo Team on a $6,000 scholarship.
* Ritter will attend Langston University, where she is receiving the Lion Scholarship, Regents Scholarship, and an athletic scholarship providing a full ride for four years totaling $85,000. In addition, she received a $1,000 Invergy Scholarship.
* Robinson is attending the University of Central Oklahoma with scholarships totaling over $3,500.
* Wyatt Suchan is receiving a total package of $100,000 to cover his four years at Friends University.
* Jordan Williams is joining the U.S. Marine Corps and receiving $18,000 for his college education.
Congratulations to all of the seniors!