DCHS Graduates Charting Course for New Life Adventures (View Videos Here)

May 11, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Friday evening 171 members of the DCHS Class of 2024 experienced the exhilaration of tossing their caps in the air, the bittersweet goodbyes to friends, and the excitement of what awaits them as they prepare to set sail and chart their course toward new life adventures.

(View Class Photos in Link Below)

https://www.wjle.com/graduation-3/

In her commencement address, Valedictorian Peyton Norris encouraged her classmates to summon within them the “superpower” strength of their movie and comic book superheros to achieve great things.

“Almost everybody here has a person that they look up to. Someone that inspires them. This might be a peer, an authority figure, a celebrity, an entrepreneur, anyone. Since I can remember, I was inspired most by one thing. Superheroes. I was always infatuated by their willingness to jump headfirst into the unknown, no matter how scary it may be. I thought I could never be brave like them. But I was wrong”.

“Every student in these seats has faced something challenging, some sort of trial or tribulation. It is part of life. But we have all persevered and made it to this moment despite those hardships. Just like the heroes we look up to, we have conquered many obstacles to make it to this moment. We have made it through exams, anxiety, and most notably covid. It’s hard to believe that 4 years ago, we were at home on our chromebooks doing online class, and now, we are here, thankfully in person, graduating”.

“Our high school experience was completely different from the moment it started. I know everybody has learned something from these experiences, but for me personally, they have taught me that true superpowers are not some kind of extraordinary ability, but the strength we find inside of us to carry on and be the best versions of ourselves. Like The Avengers, we have learned to work together as a team and to uplift each other. We have learned to stand strong and fight for what we believe in. We have learned the power of responsibility, and I am sure we can all embrace the challenges that our futures hold for us”.

“I know that all of us can leave this field and go out into the world to make it a better place. It doesn’t matter if you help one person or a thousand, you are still a superhero, and you will make it. I leave you with a quote that encompasses the passion of this class to change society for the better. In the words of my favorite musical Hadestown, “Let the world we dream about be the one we live in now,” said Norris.

Class President Ella Hendrixson admonished her fellow graduates to always persevere in overcoming life’s adversities.

“Our time here at DeKalb County High School has been a rollercoaster, full of both challenges and triumphs. Beginning our high school career in the midst of a world-wide pandemic was definitely not the vision we had crafted in our minds from a young age. However, through the adversity that Covid had gifted us, we learned perseverance. We learned that we should not take a single thing for granted that we are given in life, because it can be taken away from you in an instant. I believe that remaining tenacious and level-headed has allowed us to leave a great legacy behind – a legacy full of remarkable achievements, traditions, and memories”.

“I congratulate all of my fellow classmates that have made the unforgettable journey to achieve this incredible milestone. It is today that we all come together to celebrate the end of an extraordinary chapter in our lives. I give a massive amount of thanks to all of the families, friends, faculty, and distinguished guests who have supported us along the way. Your guidance, love, and belief in us has not gone unnoticed and undoubtedly has been an instrumental part to our success, and we are forever grateful”.

“It is with the utmost confidence when I say that I am proud to be a Tiger. While I am standing here, looking upon you all, I cannot help but feel such pride knowing that I have had the privilege of spending these past four years with such an amazing group of people. I know that DCHS will always be a part of our lives, no matter where in life we are taken. We now stand at the beginning of endless opportunities, untapped potential, and the chance to make a difference in the world. Congratulations to the Class of 2024, and, as always, Go Tigers,” said Hendrixson.

Third year Principal Bruce Curtis addressed the class saying he has enjoyed the year and he paid tribute to the seniors and their families and guardians.

“Congratulations Class of 2024. Seniors it has been a privilege getting to know you the last three years and being a part of your life. I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed these last three years as much as I. It is my hope that each of you have learned that if you’re willing to put forth the effort you can accomplish anything in life. Parents, grandparents, and guardians of the senior class, I would like to thank you for entrusting your children with the faculty of DCHS. It has been an honor working with them. They are kind, respectful young men and women. You should be very proud,” said Principal Curtis.

Three of the most outstanding members of the class were singled out for special recognition. This year’s White Rose Awards went to Luke Magness and Kathryn Hale while the Citizenship Award was presented to Brynn Harvey.

The White Rose is presented to a boy and girl from the senior class with strong academic performance and contribution to the school and community and exemplary moral character.

The Citizenship Award is given to a student in the senior class who exemplifies strong academic performance and contribution to the school and community.

The program began with an invocation by FCA member Patyn Carter, performances of “America the Beautiful ” and “Sing Sing Sing” by the DCHS Band, followed by an introduction from Class President Hendrixson and Valedictorian Norris, recognition of students who have earned honors and service awards, including Distinction and Top Rank, and presentation of the prestigious White Rose and Citizenship awards. Diplomas were then presented to the graduates by Principal Bruce Curtis, Assistant Principal Jenny Norris, and Director of Schools Patrick Cripps followed by the benediction from FCA member Sadie Moore to close out the commencement.

The following students have met requirements to be considered for top Rank. To be considered for top Rank, students must take at least 10 honors, dual enrollment, and AP courses and students must have a 21 or higher ACT composite score or 1060 SAT total score.

The DCHS Class of 2024 Top Rank students are as follows: Daniela Amaya, Alexander Antoniak, Kyra Baker, Tess Barton, Patyn Carter, Conner Close, Ian Colwell, Gavin Cooper, Kendall Davis, Olivia Diego, Zakery Farris, Allyson Fuller, Micah Gandy, Cadence Griffith, Kathryn Hale, Jacob Hendrix, Ella Hendrixson, Matty Hollingsworth, Devin Holt, Jaxon Humphrey, Madelyn Johnson, Jade Mabe, Serenity McCrary, Evelyn Mitchell, Briahna Murphy, Peyton Norris, Paul Oliver, Xavier Parker, Topanga Patrick, Maleah Ruch, Elvia Sanchez, Karson Smallwood, Kaleb Spears, Ethan Thompson, Caroline Tobitt, Briz Trapp, Jackson Vantrease, Ella VanVranken, Carson Vincent, Lilly Waggoner, Nathaniel Wessel, Makaylee Winchester, Dominique Young, and Konner Young.

The following students are being recognized for “Distinction” as having met the requirement for Tennessee State Distinction by having a B average and meeting at least one of the following: Earned a nationally recognized industry certification, Participated in at least one of the Governor’s Schools, Participated in one of the state’s All State Musical Organizations, Been selected as a National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist, Attained a composite score of 31 or higher on the ACT or a total SAT score of 1420 or higher, Attained a score of 3 or higher on at least two Advanced Placement (AP) exams, Earned 12 or more semester hours of postsecondary (dual enrollment credit):

Daniela Amaya, Alexander Antoniak, Kyra Baker, Jonathan Balderas-Rayas, Tess Barton, Aydan Bean, Camryn Branin, Cameron Caballero, Ansley Cantrell, Seth Cantrell, Brayden Carter, Patyn Carter, Conner Close, Ian Colwell, Gavin Cooper, Alyssa Crook, Abby Cross, Kendall Davis, William Dickens, Olivia Diego, Ellie Dillard, Ronnie Edwards, Marshall Farler, Zackery Farris, Briana Fletcher, Allyson Fuller, Riley Fuson, Micah Gandy, Cesar Gaspar Celaya, Trystan Gibbs, Cadence Griffith, Kathryn Hale, Tristan Hall, Aaron Hatfield, Jacob Hendrix, Ella Hendrixson, Jonathan Hernandez, Alexa Hernandez-Dragustinovis, Yoana Hernandez-Avalos, Matty Hollingsworth, Devin Holt, Jaxon Humphrey, Gage Ikonen, Madelyn Johnson, Ayden Jones, Chayla Knauer, Zoe Kuhn, Emily Lattimore, Chloe Lawson, Jade Mabe, Cayden Martin, Serenity McCrary, Kyle Miller, Evelyn Mitchell, Sadie Moore, Samuel Moore, Briahna Murphy, Peyton Norris, Paul Oliver, Melanie Ortiz, Kayleigh Overstreet, Ella Pack, Brandon Palomo, Topanga Patrick, Serenity Patterson, Gracie Randolph, Gael Rico, Karol Rico Godinez, Maleah Ruch, Elvia Sanchez, Makayla Scales, Karson Smallwood, Lucas Spare, Landon Speaks, Kaleb Spears, Jack Summers, Caley Taylor, Kilah Terry, Ethan Thompson, Caroline Tobitt, Briz Trapp, Elaina Turner, Jackson Vantrease, Ella VanVranken, Karly Vickers, Carson Vincent, Lilly Waggoner, Owen Warren, Nathaniel Wessel, Ari White, Dalton Williams, Martin Willingham, Makaylee Winchester, Westin Wright, and Konnor Young.

The following students have met the requirements for graduating with Tennessee State Honors by meeting all of the ACT or SAT subject area readiness benchmarks. The ACT benchmarks are as follows: English – 18, Reading – 22, Math – 22, and Science 23. The SAT benchmarks are as follows: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing – 480 Math – 530:

Daniela Amaya, Alex Antoniak, Tess Barton, Payton Carter, Ian Colwell, Gage Ikonen, Kendall Davis, William Dickens, Olivia Diego, Briana Fletcher, Micah Gandy, Kathryn Hale, Tristan Hall, Jacob Hendrix, Ella Hendrixson, Devin Holt, Jade Mabe, Serenity McCrary, Evelyn Mitchell, Peyton Norris, Paul Oliver, Xavier Parker, Markayla Rebertus, Maleah Ruch, James Slager, Lucas Spare, Kaleb Spears, Ethan Thompson, Jackson Vantrease, Lilly Waggoner, Jazmine Wagner, Owen Warren, Nathaniel Wessel, Dominique Young, and Konnor Young.

The following students have met all requirements for becoming a Tennessee Scholar. The Tennessee Scholars program encourages students to take a more rigorous and challenging course of study in high school. Students graduating as Tennessee Scholars have to maintain good academic, disciplinary, and attendance standards as well as volunteer in the community. Tennessee Scholars also choose to take rigorous courses beyond what is required to graduate:

Tess Barton, Ansley Cantrell, Ian Colwell, Riley Fuson, Cesar Gaspar Celaya, Kathryn Hale, Alexa Hernandez, Yoana Hernandez, Jaxon Humphrey, Peyton Norris, Kaleb Spears, Caroline Tobitt, and Elaina Turner.

The following students are Senior Service Award recipients. These seniors have earned this award by volunteering at least 10 hours of their time during each year of high school:

Ansley Cantrell, Riley Fuson, Kathryn Hale, Alexa Hernandez, Yoana Hernandez, Jaxon Humphrey, Peyton Norris, Kaleb Spears, Caroline Tobitt, and Elaina Turner.

Members of the DCHS Class of 2024 are as follow:

Ekow Afful-Turkson, Daniela Amaya, Cayleigh Anderson, Payton Anderson, Alexander Antoniak,

Kyra Baker, Jonathan Balderas-Rayas, Pacey Ballew,Tess Barton, Joseph Franklin Bates, Aydan Bean, Jonathan Bell, Luis Beltran-Resendiz, Daniel Aguirre Benitez, Carter Benson, Sarah Boner, Graceson Boyd, Courtney Braido, Camryn Branin, Charles Burklow,

Dariella Isabel Buyones Nunez, Cameron Caballero, Hunter Cannon, Ansley Cantrell, Elijah Cantrell, Seth Cantrell, Brayden Carter, Patyn Carter, Jasmen Chapman, Conner Close, Ian Colwell, Alvan Contreras Ramirez, Bryson Cooper, Gavin Cooper, Trey Crabtree, Alyssa Crook, Abby Cross, Ethan Curtis,

Nickolas Dandurand, Angelina Davenport, Kendall Davis, Madison Dawson,  William Dickens, Olivia Diego, Ellie Dillard, Brandon Donnell, Nelissa Anne Dowell,

Ronnie Edwards, Lacey England,

Marshall Farler, Zackery Wil Farris, Briana Fletcher, Allyson Fuller, Riley Fuson,

Jannifer Galindo-Godinez, Micah Gandy, Emilio Garcia, Cesar Gaspar Celaya, Samuel Gaspar-Guzman, Trystan Seth Gibbs, Laura Good, Korina Goolsby, Cadence Griffith,

Kathryn Hale, Julian Kade Haley, Tristan Hall, Peyton Hallum, Anthony Hamilton, Mallorie Hamilton, Brynn Harvey, Aaron Hatfield, Jacob Hendrix, Ella Hendrixson,  Jared Hernandez Balderas, Jonathan Hernandez, Alexa Hernandez Dragustinovis, Yoana Hernandez-Avalos, Mallory Hollingsworth, Matty Hollingsworth, Devin Holt, Jaxon Humphrey,

Gage Michael Ikonen, Araya Ittayem, Kolby Jacobs, Madelyn Johnson, Ayden Jones,

Chayla Knauer, Zachary Knowles, Zoe Kuhn,

Emily Lattimore, Brayden Lawson, Chloe Lawson,

Jade Mabe, Luke Magness, Cayden Martin,  Dayana Martinez, Serenity McCrary, Jason Lee Issac McGill, Lucian McJunkins, Kaden McPherson, Kholton Melton, Kyle Miller, Rashelle Miller, Evelyn Mitchell, Sadie Moore, Samuel Moore, Briahna Murphy,

Austin Nicholson, Peyton Norris,

Alexxus Oiler, Paul Oliver, Melanie Ortiz, Kayleigh Overstreet,

Ella Pack, Brandon Roel Palomo, Xavier Parker, Trevor Parsley, Topanga Patrick, Serenity Patterson,

Garrison Randolph, Gracie Randolph, Tyce Ratley, Joseph Rea, Markayla Michelle Rebertus, Keley Viola Reeder, Gael Rico, Karol Rico Godinez, Cristal Rico Serna, Maleah Ruch,

Elvia Adamari Sanchez, Emily Satterfield, Skylar Savage, Makayla Scales, James Slager, Karson Smallwood, Sierra Lynn Sobotka, Ashley Sosa, Erick Soto Martinez, Lucas Quinn Spare, Landon Speaks, Kaleb Spears, Shelby Starnes, Jack Brayden Summers, Preston  Grace Summers, Trinten Summers,

Caley Taylor, Kilah Terry, Ethan Thompson, Caroline Tobitt, Briz Trapp, Malachi Trapp, Tony Trapp, Elaina Turner,

Matthew Usrey,

Jackson Vantrease, Ella Vanvranken, Karly Vickers, Carson Vincent,

Haston Waggoner, Lilly Waggoner, Jazmine Elaine Wagner, Owen Warren, Gabriel Washer, Nathaniel Wessel, Hanniah West,  Dalton Williams, Martin Willingham, Makaylee Winchester, Westin Wright

Dominique Young, and Konner Young

May 10, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Is it time for the county commission to consider adopting a bond resolution authorizing funding for a judicial center?

During Thursday night’s meeting, the budget committee took a vote on asking the county commission to adopt an initial and detailed bond resolution authorizing funding not to exceed $65 million for construction of a judicial center. This vote did not include any recommendation on a funding source for the project even though that will have to be considered prior to adoption of the budget for 2024-25. Although three of the five budget committee members in attendance at the meeting voted in favor, four votes in the affirmative were needed to move the recommendation along to the full commission. The budget committee will have to try again at another meeting when all seven members can attend.

Members voting in favor were budget committee chairman Jeff Barnes and members Mathias Anderson and Glynn Merriman. Members Tom Chandler and Sabrina Farler voted no. Members Susannah Cripps and Tony (Cully) Culwell were absent.

Steve Bates, the county’s fiscal agent and financial advisor suggested that the budget committee make a recommendation for the bond resolution to the full commission.

Last month the jail committee selected a construction option for a judicial center to be considered by the full county commission. The estimated cost is $63,817,500 (not counting purchase price for property and the expense of staffing) and could require as much as a 65-cent property tax increase or a combination 47 cent property tax hike coupled with a $50 wheel tax.

According to Bates, a property tax increase will be needed in the 2024-25 fiscal year as an initial funding source for debt service even if a wheel tax is later adopted by the county commission or through a public referendum. If a wheel tax is eventually approved for the project, Bates said the property tax increase could be reduced to help offset it.

“If you are going to do this judicial center then what we probably need to consider is setting the tax levy for debt service to amortize this judicial center in this budget,” explained Bates. “Right now its not going to be a wheel tax. Its going to be a property tax (to fund it) but even if you implement a property tax increase now that revenue won’t come in probably until February or March. If you want a wheel tax then you must adopt it at two consecutive county commission meetings by a two thirds majority and then if people protest it by petition, then it has to go to a public referendum, or you can vote to put it on the ballot in November. But regardless, you are going to have to increase the property tax now in this budget. Then if the wheel tax passes, you can cut the property tax back in the 2025-26 fiscal year. That way people have a choice of either funding this through a property tax, wheel tax, or a mix of both,” said Bates.

‘I would also say that in order to do that, you would need to adopt an initial bond resolution and a detailed bond resolution authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $65 million in bonds, but we (county) would sit on it (for now) because if you are going to issue bonds you must have a funding mechanism in place to pay that. You cannot go to a rating agency without a funding mechanism in place or you’ll get crushed. If you set the tax levy the revenue will be in place. That way, with the bond resolution in place, when you are ready to issue bonds which could be six or eight months later you already have the revenue coming into the debt service fund to pay the debt as it becomes due and payable. You cannot issue debt thinking that the money is going to come in. You must know it’s coming in,” explained Bates.

Again, the county commission has the option of voting in a wheel tax by a two thirds majority on two separate readings of a resolution, but the public could force a referendum by petition.

According to the election commission, the law states that “The petition must be filed by a number of registered voters amounting to at least ten percent (10%) of the votes cast in the county in the last gubernatorial election (locally 523 signatures); and the petition must be filed with the county election commission within thirty (30) days of final approval of such resolution by the county legislative body.

Budget committee member Tom Chandler suggested that the county needs to make the public fully aware of the proposed judicial center construction project and the funding options required and let the voters have a voice in that through a public referendum.

“This may not be the purview of the budget committee, but I would think that we should make some recommendation at some point about putting the wheel tax on the ballot in November. Don’t wait for them (public to get a petition) but allow them to speak. Make this public so that they know what is going on and what their options are. Its an iffy situation but I think most people in the county would want to be able to vote on whether or not to have the wheel tax and if we put that out there, we can get closer to them (public) thinking about the trade-off between the wheel tax and the property tax and what its going to cost them for this justice center. We need to try to get them as best we can to make some decision about what they would like while making them feel the county commission has given them some ability to do that rather than for the commission to decide at some session that we are going to tax them for $65 million,” said Chandler.

The next county budget committee meeting is set for Tuesday, May 14 at 6:00 p.m in the first floor meeting room of the courthouse.

May 10, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The National Weather Service has confirmed that the storm that struck Smithville Monday afternoon was an EFI tornado.

Crews surveyed the storm damage on Tuesday, May 7. In a preliminary report, officials determined that the EF1 tornado touched down east of Highway 70 in northwest Smithville, and then moved west along Allen Ferry Road.

Maximum wind gusts reached speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, according to the NWS. Only minor injuries were reported.

According to storm surveyors, the worst damage was seen along Highway 56 just north of Smith Road. Dozens of trees were snapped and uprooted, and some homes in the area suffered significant roof and exterior damage.

Meanwhile on Wednesday night, more severe thunderstorms raked across middle Tennessee but in DeKalb County the major concern was flooding in the typical flood prone areas of the Dowelltown/ Liberty area and at Temperance Hall where rising creek waters overflowed their banks.

The DeKalb Swift Water Rescue Team was summoned Thursday to assist a stranded mailman reported to be stuck in the water near Smith Fork Creek.