May 2023

Tyler Brady

is the son of Misty Singleton and Heath Brady. His future plans could include going to college, but he is undecided at this time. Tyler was in the science club, e-sports and volunteered at the food pantry and the Rector Preschool. His honors and awards include: A CTE double completer in the FACS department, completer in Human & Social Services, completer in Nutrition Science & Dietetics, Wise Literacy certified, Chemistry of Foods subject award. Tyler was on the honor roll and in the Renaissance program. His favorite school memory is Mr. Haynes in seventh hour with Leah Jukkola. Tyler would like to be remembered as a helpful person.

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Being on the football bus and all the random dumb talks are the favorite school memories of Ean Thomas Henson.

He is the son of Amber and Jeffery Hubble. His future plans include joining the Navy. Ean played football and was in FFA. He was a CTE Program Completer in Agricultural Power, Structural & Technical Systems and a CTE Program Completer in Animal Systems. Ean would like to be remembered as someone who had everyone’s back.

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Pomp and Circumstance, a graduation staple

It’s nearly impossible to attend a graduation ceremony and not hear the processional, “Pomp and Circumstance.” The march has become a graduation staple, but the tune was actually written for a different purpose. Sir Edward Elgar is the composer behind “Pomp and Circumstance,” which was named after a line from William Shakespeare’s “Othello.” Sir Edward composed the song in 1901, and the march was intended for the coronation of King Edward VII. When Elgar received an honorary doctorate from Yale University in 1905, the march was played in his honor as a recessional. Once Yale used the march, other universities began to play the march as well. Eventually it became the trendy thing to do and “Pomp and Circumstance” became forever ingrained in graduation custom. Today it is hard to imagine a commencement ceremony without the famed processional and the requisite cap, tassel and gown.

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McKenzie Champion

is the daughter of Amanda Champion and Jerimy Crow. Her future plans include becoming rich with her bestie Kate. McKenzie was in 4-H, FFA, science club, art club and choir. She volunteered as a concession stand worker and at the Rector Food Pantry. Her honors and awards include: All A honor roll, member of National Honor Society, she won the 2022 rabbit showmanship at the Clay County Fair, had a first place painting at the 2022 Clay County Fair, became certified in cow-calf operations and she says the greatest award is being Mrs. Amber’s daughter. Her favorite school memory is when Leah won homecoming maid. McKenzie would like to be remembered as someone who was kind to all.

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Abbey Beck

is the daughter of Angela Stokes and Jeff Beck. Her future plans include going to AState and getting a nursing degree (BSN). She was in the pep club, science club, National Honor Society, G.T. and ACE Leadership. She was on the honor roll and in the Renaissance program. Her favorite school memory is all of the homecomings where the school gathered together and felt like a family. Abbey would like to be remembered as a friendly face that was there for anyone.

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Landon Haywood

is the son of Chris and Shannon Haywood. His future plans include attending Ole Miss and obtaining his pharmacist degree. Landon played basketball and baseball. He was in FBLA, Fellowship of Christian Students, HOSA, math club, science club, GT, pep club, Cougars are BAD and ACE Youth Leadership. He volunteered at the Rector Food Pantry, Rector Hoop Camp, Student Council food drive and 4-H Leadership program. His honors and awards include: admission into the Early Entry Pharmacy Program at the University of Mississippi, all A honor roll ninth -12th, Arkansas Scholastic honor student, Arkansas Boys State delegate, National Honor Society member ninth – 12th grade, Rector High School Student of the Month and Jr. High Best All Around. His favorite school memory is when he and 12 other classmates “borrowed” Mr. Haynes car to run errands in it. Landon would like to be remembered as someone who was hardworking, kind to others, easy to get along with and a good friend. Most importantly, he wants to be remembered as someone who gave God the glory in all that he does and to make Rector proud.

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Going to college to pursue a degree in the medical field are the future plans of Stormie Bailey.

She is the daughter of Brandon and Linda Bailey. Her favorite school memory is getting help from her big brother in the shop. She was a CTE program completer in Agriculture Power, Structural & Technical Systems, CTE program completer in Family & Consumer Science and work keys Career Readiness Bronze Certified. Stormie would like to be remembered as someone that could get along with anyone.

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Ian Exley

is the son of Becca and Bradley Schuerman. He is undecided about his future plans. Ian was on the basketball team and volunteered with the Rector Labor Day Picnic. His favorite school memory is hanging out with his team. Ian would like to be remembered as Big Nasty.

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Ethan Edward Simmons

is the son of Jody and Heather Simmons. His future plans include attending the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville to study electrical engineering. Ethan is a member of the Esports team and golf team. He is the drum major for the Rector Cougar Marching Band and a member of the concert band. He was also a member of the chess team, Renaissance club, math club, science club, National Honor Society, 4-H Youth Leadership, Gifted & Talented and the Rector First United Methodist Church youth group. He has enjoyed volunteering at his church, the 4-H Youth Tech Changemakers and at the Rector Labor Day Picnic. His honors and awards include: He has received several awards through District, State and National FBLA including first place in the state in Computer Problem Solving, Computer Science & Coding and Computer Concepts. He placed ninth overall at the National FBLA Conference in Computer Science & Coding. He was a member of the band that was the 1A State Marching Band Champion in 2017. He played in the first band, second chair at All Region at ASU. He received departmental academic awards in Chemistry and Precalculus and was on the all A honor roll throughout his years of high school. Ethan’s favorite school memory is when he tricked Mr. Haynes into shutting down his computer. He would like to be remembered as an intelligent, caring and compassionate person.

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Evan Holmes’

future plans include attending the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and majoring in civil engineering. He is the son of Chad and Christin Holmes. Evan has volunteered 40 hours at C2SI (Catholic Charities Summer Institute), 20 hours at SOS (St. Mary’s Catholic Church Suppers on Sundays), 60 hours with 4-H Tech Changemakers, 10 hours at the Rector Food Pantry, four hours of community clean up, four hours with Make-AWish and six hours at the Rector Public Library. He played baseball (ninth – 12th grade) and football (11th – 12th). He was a member of the band (ninth -12th), FBLA (ninth – 12th), science club (ninth – 12th), math club (ninth – 12th), Cougars Are Bad (ninth – 12th), chess team (ninth – 12th), FFA (ninth – 12th), ACE Youth Leadership (10th – 12th), a student council member (ninth – 12th), 4-H Tech Changemakers (11th – 12th) and St. Mary’s Catholic Church youth group (ninth – 12th). His honors and awards include: National Honor Society (ninth – 12th) where he was vice president in 2022 and 2023, all A honor roll (ninth – 12th), placed second at District with FBLA in Introduction to Business Math in 2019, placed third in district with FBLA in Agribusiness in 2021, placed second in District with FBLA in Advertising in 2022, he was senior high FBLA president, Region V junior high first band third chair in 2019, Region V junior high first band seventh chair in 2020, A-State Open Outstanding Soloist award in 2019 and 2020, science club vice president in 2023, Cougars R Bad president in 2022 and 2023, American Legion Arkansas Boys state delegate, Clay County 4-H Youth Leadership team and Gifted and Talented. His favorite school memory is playing Wii sports in Mr. Haynes class. Evan would like to be remembered as always having something to keep him busy.

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