HOPE – A return to a tradition in semi-normal fashion was the mark of the Hope High School Class of 2021 as the 140 graduating seniors were honored in commencement ceremonies May 14 at Hammons Stadium.
\r\nTempered by the continuation of COVID-19 protocols restricting attendance, requiring use of face masks and engaging social distancing, the ceremonies were considered a triumph for HHS and the Class of 2021 after a disappointing, albeit historic, virtual commencement in 2020.\r\n
\r\nHPS Superintendent Dr. Bobby Hart reflected upon the remarkable year which the ceremony capped.\r\n
\r\n“Unfortunately, the Class of 2020 was deprived of this opportunity,” Dr. Hart said, referring to the impact of COVID-19. “You should be proud of yourselves; you have made it through a remarkable year. Despite everything you went full speed ahead; you showed the signs of a winner.”\r\n
\r\nHart extended that recognition to the inaugural class of the Hope Collegiate Academy which set a milestone with their graduation from HHS and the University of Arkansas – Hope.\r\n
\r\n“It is my sincere hope that with this class, every student can leave Hope High School with sixty hours of college credit becomes a reality,” he said.\r\n
\r\nThe 24 graduates received Associate of Arts degrees from the University of Arkansas-Hope on May 11 in ceremonies at Hempstead Hall.\r\n
\r\nThe inaugural HCA class included Arelli Alexandra Alardo, Za’nautica Unique Barker, Eric Blake Barton, Michaela De’shanay Clark, William Darton Davis, Na’khia Rayvon Green, Ke’ara Shania Key, Kristina Daneille King, Montezerrat leija, Annabeth Grace Martin, William Drake Martin, Nataly Ramirez, Ashton Breanne Revels, Noemi Bernice Salazar, Jared Evan Santifer, Quincy Daniel Stovall and Ayden Elise Sundberg. HCA honor graduates were Brooke Christine Hurt and Kenzi Beth Taylor.\r\n
\r\nThe return to Hammons Stadium brought the HHS celebration back to campus from Hempstead Hall on a day marked with the candor and humor of guest speaker Steven Walden, who reflected the missed opportunity of 2020 when he was scheduled to speak.\r\n
\r\n“I graduated on this field,” Walden said. “I was a Bobkitten, a Bobcat and marched alongside the Hope Superband as part of the Midget Squad.”\r\n
\r\nWalden skewered some of the traditions of commencement with humor as he relished them.\r\n
\r\n“You’re sitting here tonight with a giant, red Hefty bag over your Sunday clothes,” he quipped.\r\n
\r\nA Bobcat alumus spoke at Walden’s 1993 commencement, he said. Walden pointed out the speaker gave a lot of advice that he considered cliché; then, Walden proceeded to lace the rest of his speech with clichés.\r\n
\r\n“There are things he should have said, like, ‘Do what you like,’” Walden noted. “Figure out what you love, then get somebody to pay you to do it.”\r\n
\r\nWhile Walden said remembering the past is valuable, he encouraged looking to the future.\r\n
\r\n“Will what is happening now still be important ten years from now?” he asked.\r\n
\r\nWalden emphasized how Hope has been home to many inspiring people, but each graduate must learn to become an adult, undertake experience in life and develop sound judgment for themselves.\r\n
\r\n“Remember, there is something special about Hope that gives… hope,” he said.\r\n
\r\nHonor graduates for the Class of 2021 were Na’Tyja White, Summa Cum Laude; Brooke Christine Hurt, Kenzie Beth Taylor, Jazmin Azucena Martinez, Michelle Mayo-Cortez, Lizbeth Arroyo, Magna Cum Laude; and, Dayana Guadalupe Cardona, Verenice Leyva, Asia Sa’moyne Stockdale, Ashanti Danielle Phillips and Jaci Linn Johnson, Cum Laude.\r\n
\r\nHHS faculty honors announced May 13 included:\r\n
\r\nAmerican Legion Citizenship Award – Jaci L. Johnson, Ryan C. Walker.\r\n
\r\nBeryl Henry Award – Joshua Johnson.\r\n
\r\nIrma Dean Award – Lizbeth Arroyo.\r\n
\r\nJames H. Jones Award – Asia S. Stockdale, Oathis L. Ward.\r\n
\r\nScholarship awards announced May 13 included:\r\n
\r\nAlpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Scholarship – Brittney Martinez.\r\n
\r\nApril Love Memorial Award – Joshua Johnson, Ashanti Phillips, Asia Stockdale, Na’Tyja White.\r\n
\r\nArkansas School Plant Management Association Scholarship – Travion Rhodes.\r\n
\r\nCivitan Scholarship – Kristina King.\r\n
\r\nCounselor’s Award – Asia Stockdale.\r\n
\r\nDelta Kappa Gamma Scholarship – Joshua Johnson.\r\n
\r\nDenny Dickinson Memorial Scholarship – Asia Stockdale.\r\n
\r\nGwendolyn Roshelle Smith Scholarship – Joshua Johnson.\r\n
\r\nHeidi Hoglund Memorial Scholarship – Lizbeth Arroyo.\r\n
\r\nHope Booster Club Scholarship – Justin Armstrong, Brittney Martinez.\r\n
\r\nHope Evening Lions Club – Joshua Johnson.\r\n
\r\nHope Lions Club Scholarship – Michaela Clark, Na’Tyja White.\r\n
\r\nIrene May Mitchell Scholarship – Joshua Johnson.\r\n
\r\nJunior Auxiliary of Hope – Bianca Juarez, Brooke Hurt, Na’Tyja White.\r\n
\r\nKiwanis Club: Jim McKenzie Memorial Scholarship – Ashanti Phillips.\r\n
\r\nKiwanis Club: Henry Seamans Scholarship – Alexia Freeman.\r\n
\r\nKaren Ivers Dyslexia Scholarship – Joshua Johnson.\r\n
\r\nLife Share Life Scholarship – Lizbeth Arroyo.\r\n
\r\nStacy Lunn Monk Memorial Scholarship – Nyla Muldrew.\r\n
\r\nSteel Dynamics New Millennium Scholarship – Annabeth Martin, Jared Santifer.\r\n
\r\nYerger Rutherford Scholarship – Na’Tyja White.\r\n
\r\nHarding University Scholarship – Kristina King.\r\n
\r\nSouthern Arkansas University Scholarship – Erika Juarez, Brooke Hurt, Ashanti Phillips.\r\n
\r\nUniversity of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Scholarship – Asia S. Stockdale, Ryan C. Walker.\r\n
\r\nUAHT Certificates of Proficiency: Nursing Assistant – Bianca Juarez, Brianna Rodriguez, Brittney Martinez, Charitie Phillips, Madisyn Ellis, Na’Tyja White, Chelerome McFadden. Construction Welding – Faith Barnett, Jazmin Martinez.\r\n
\r\nUniversity of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Silas Hunt Distinguished Scholarship – Ryan Cortez Walker.\r\n
\r\nUniversity of Arkansas, Fayetteville, First Year Advantage (Room and Board) – Annabeth Martin.\r\n
\r\nUniversity of Arkansas Transfer Scholarship – Arelli Alvarado, Za’nautica Barker, Eric Barton, Michaela Clark, William Davis, Na’khia green, Brooke Hurt, Ke’ara Key, Kristina King, Montezerrat Leija, Annabeth Martin, William Martin, Nataly Ramirez, Ashton Revels, Noemi Salazar, Jared Santifer, Quincy Stovall, Ayden Sundberg, Kenzi Taylor.\r\n
\r\nUniversity of Arkansas, University Scholarship – Kenzi Taylor, Na’Tyja White.\r\n
\r\nUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock Chancellor’s Scholarship – Ke’ara Key.\r\n
\r\nUniversity of Central Arkansas: Future Leaders Scholarship – Lizbeth Arroyo, Dayana Cardona, Brooke Hurt, Ke’Ara Key, Kristina King, Asia Stockdale.\r\n
\r\nGovernor’s Award for Musical Excellence – Ke’Ara Key.\r\n
\r\nArkansas Juvenile Officers Association Scholarship – Alicia Gilmore.\r\n
\r\nCareer/Technical Completers – Lizbeth Arroyo, Anntaeia Briggs, Yesenia DeLaRosa, Madisyn Ellis, Ammy Garcia, Cesar Garcia, Nakiyah Newton, Magaly Moreno, Nyla Muldrew, Gloria Jetton, Pamela Thirdgill, Nia Glover, Chelerome McFadden Jr., Asia S. Stockdale, Aaron Aguilar, Dekobe Conway, Karen Hernandez, Jaci Johnson, Mariuna McClenton, Daiona Perkins, Cameron Rhodes, Tyrese Weston, Marcus Bell, Oswaldo Bello, Uriel Sanchez, Cesar Santos, Britney Alvarado.\r\n
\r\nLife Scholars Award – DeKobe Conway, Yesenia DeLaRosa, Adrian Dominguez, Eduardo Dominguez, Oshiona Flowers, Alexiah Freeman, Alicea Gilmore, Joshua Johnson, Verenice Leyva, Micehlle Mayo-Cortez, Chelerome McFadden, Emily Miller, Danya Muldrow, Samuel Munoz, Carlos Navarrete, Carlos Pacheco, Daviona Perins, Uriel Sanchez, Devon Stutson, Autumn Ward, Karl Williams.\r\n
\r\nNational Honor Society (senior stoles) – Lizbeth Arroyo, Zanautica Barker, Darton Davis, Brooke Hurt, Jaci Johnson, Bianca Juarez, Ke’Ara Key, Kristina King, Verenice Leyva, Annabeth Martin, Brittney Martinez, Jazmin Martinez, Ashanti Phillips, Noemi Salazar, Asia Stockdale, Ayden Sundberg, Na’Tyja White.\r\n
\r\nThe Creative Action Team School campus graduated four senior students with the HHS Class of 2021 including Oscar Nava, Karl Williams, Ty’Kendrus Harper and Felicia Rodriguez.\r\n
