Arkansas High announces 2018 top graduates

Baylee Lindsey, valedictorian, is the daughter of Jeremy and Whitney Lindsey. She is a four-year A honor roll student, three-year member of National Honor Society and the AHS homecoming Court and was named 2017 Maid of Honor. She is a 2017 Arkansas Girls State delegate, a Wendy's Heisman School Award Winner and an Arkansas Governor's Honors Day recipient. She is a four-year AHS cheerleader and served as varsity cheer captain for the 2017-18 school year. She held officer roles in student council, NIKE club and was senior class vice president. She has volunteered with Race for the Cure, the American Heart Association Heart Walk, has held leadership roles in her church youth group and volunteered at the Tim Tebow "A Night to Shine" prom. She plans to attend the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and major in non-educational kinesiology and pursue a master's degree in clinical occupational therapy. She plans to serve special needs children in a third world country through missions.

Brianna Davis, salutatorian, is the daughter of Cheryl and Brian Davis of Texarkana. She is graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors as an AP Scholar and maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. She is an Arkansas Governor's Honors Day recipient and has been active in HOSA, Fellowship of Christian Students, NIKE where she was the vice-president, and National Honor Society, where she served as 2017-18 president. She was a four-year member of the AHS band and a member of TASD bands for eight years. She plans to attend college to pursue a medical degree.

 

Zoie Reese McVay is the daughter of Kim McVay and Michael McVay of Texarkana, Ark. and the granddaughter of Martha and Jim Reese of Texarkana, Ark., and Sheldon McVay of Ashdown, Ark. Zoie is graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors. She has been involved in NIKE, National Honor Society, Principal's Advisory team and Fellowship of Christian Students and was a member of the leadership team. She was a member of the AHS band and Ladybacks soccer, and served as captain for three years. Zoie has volunteered with NIKE and was recently awarded the 50th girl award by the AHS staff. She plans to attend Southern Arkansas University and major in veterinary medicine.

Christina Allyce Cannady is the daughter of Amy Cannady and John Cannady of Texarkana, Ark., and the granddaughter of Shirley Witt of Combine, Texas. Christina is graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors and was an AP Scholar and DAR Essay Chapter nominee. She has been the NIKE Club president, student council representative, National Honor Society treasurer, writer/editor for "The Squeal," and has been involved in the Texarkana Youth Symphony Orchestra, AHS Orchestra Concert Master, Silvermoon Children's Theatre, Southern Arkansas All-Regional Orchestra and completed an internship with Silvermoon. Christina plans to attend Baylor University to pursue health science studies/pre-dental and become an orthodontist.

 

Kaitlyn Pipkin is the daughter of Mark Pipkin of Texarkana, Ark., and Kandy Pipkin of Tampa, Fla., and the granddaughter of Johnny and Patsy Jones of Buckner, Ark. She is graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors with straight A's for her entire school career. Kaitlyn has been a member of National Honor Society, student council and FFA. She was a member of the Ladybacks soccer team and volunteers at the Tampa Surgery and Spine facility and shadows multiple surgeons. She plans to major in health biology at Southern Arkansas University with the goal of becoming a gastroenterologist.

 

Dylan Hoang Minh Nguyen is the son of Tuyen Joe Nguyen and Cuc Kimberly Nguyen of Texarkana, Ark. He is graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors. Dylan was a member of National Honor Society, 2017-18 president of HOSA, math club and student council. He was a member of the AHS band and served as section leader for several years. He participated in the CHRISTUS St. Michael medical mentoring program and completed his CNA certification. Dylan plans to major in pre-med/biology at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock with the goal of attending medical school and becoming a doctor.

 

Jaelan Rayne Nelson is the daughter of Carlton Nelson and the late Deleshia Ratcliff and granddaughter of Twela Moore and Clarence Moore and Ruby Nelson. She is graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors. Jaelan has been involved in HOSA and served as secretary/treasurer, the medical mentoring program, gifted and talented program and was a member of the National Honor Society. She took AP Photography during her sophomore year and worked on her CNA certification. She received a certificate of proficiency from the University of Arkansas at Hope-Texarkana and volunteered with her dad to work on and build fire trucks for the Genoa Volunteer Fire Department. Jaelan plans to attend UA Little Rock and major in pre-med/biology and minor in chemistry with the goal of attending medical school and becoming a surgeon.

 

Dylan Robinson is the son of David and Jordan Hagood of Texarkana, Ark., and Daniel and Lisa Robinson of Simms, Texas, and the grandson of Danny and Laura Hays of Texarkana, Ark. He is graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors as an AP Scholar. Dylan was a member of Arkansas High Cheer and student council where he served as president, Fellowship of Student Athletes, Interact, orchestra, gifted and talented, Destination Imagination, quiz bowl, the medical mentoring program, NIKE Beau and drama club. He volunteered at Komen Race for the Cure, back-to-school celebrations, fall festivals, field day activities, Back the Blue 5K, the Hillier Community Health Fair and "A Night to Shine" Special Needs Prom. Dylan plans to attend the University of Central Arkansas and major in kinesiology with the goal of becoming a physical therapist.

 

Dylan Adcock is the son of Tony and Amy Adcock of Texarkana, Ark., and the grandson of Billy and Sherry Dempsey and Dorris Adcock of Texarkana. He is graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors. Dylan was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Honor Society, and served as vice-president of FFA and as captain of the varsity baseball team. He also made all-state and all-conference in varsity baseball and varsity golf. He plans to attend Harding University, where he will play baseball.

 

Brianna Thompson is the daughter of Teresa Thompson of Texarkana and the late Henry Hopson of Camden, Ark., and granddaughter of Juanita Mayes, Dorothy Hopson and Arlea Hopson. She is graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors. Brianna has been a member of NIKE and held the office of reporter, gifted and talented and secretary of the National Honor Society. She was a member of the AHS Razorback Redline. She plans to attend Southern Arkansas University and major in mathematics and education with the goal of becoming a professor and create a non-profit youth organization.

 

Felipe Jusino is the son of Nora and Felipe Jusino of Texarkana and grandson of Rosa Guillen of Chiriqui and Nelda Jusino of Yauco. He is graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors as a member of the National Honor Society. Felipe was a member of Interact, Mathletes, the robotics team and was co-captain of Quiz Bowl. He was a leader on the boys' soccer team and is operations squadron commander in the Air Force JROTC unit. He has volunteered at the Opportunities dance, Race for the Cure, Halloween carnival, the Dragon Boat races and the Live United Bowl. Felipe plans to major in Aviation Maintenance Management at Henderson State University and become a pilot.

 

John Austin Nix is the son of John and Laura Nix of Texarkana, Ark. and grandson of Roy and Mary McAdams of El Dorado, Ark., and Doris and William Jennings of Tool, Texas, and the late Paul E Nix. Austin is a Summa Cum Laude graduate. He was a member of the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was captain of the varsity football, baseball and bowling teams. During high school, Austin won all-state in football and all-conference in baseball and bowling. He recently received an academic scholarship from University of Arkansas, the Finnas E. Pharr Award and the Bob Aldridge Best All-Around Male Athlete award. He plans to attend UA-Fayetteville and study pre-med or pre-dental with the goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon or orthodontist.

 

Michayla Sue Hellums is the daughter of James and Jennifer Hellums of Texarkana, Ark. Michayla is graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors. She plans to Southern Arkansas University with the goal of becoming a physician.

 

Gregory Alenski Jordan is the son of Alvin Jordan and Deloris Marshall Jordan. He is graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors. He has been a member of National Honor Society, NIKE Beau, HOSA, Mathletes, drama club, Destination Imagination and the gifted and talented program. He is an Eagle Scout and has participated in Arkansas Boys State and Today's Youth Tomorrow's Leaders. He was a member of the AHS band and served as drumline captain for three years. He has volunteered at the Fall Festival at Spring Lake Park, served as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, in a nursing home and at the Randy Sams' Outreach Shelter. He received the 50th Boy Award from the AHS staff. Gregory plans to study mathematics at Henderson State University and become a secondary math teacher.

 

Katelynn Todd is the granddaughter of Sheila Caler of Texarkana, Ark., and the daughter of Traci Todd, T.J. Todd and Seth Bearden. She is graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors. Kate was a member of Interact Club, student council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FFA, HOSA, Ladyback softball team, National Honor Society and served as senior class president. She has volunteered at her church and Opportunities dances, Race for the Cure and other local 5Ks, the Dragon Boat races and the Tim Tebow "Night to Shine" Prom. She will play softball and major in criminal justice at Henderson State University and plans to become a professor.

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