Mortarboards fly in the air as Falkville High graduates celebrate at the conclusion of their graduation program May 20. | Clif Kinght

Falkville High School awarded diplomas to 45 seniors and singled out more than 25 members of the class for special recognition at graduation exercises on May 20.

Class president and salutatorian Tiana Drinkard welcome guests and complimented her classmates for a job well done during her salutatory address.

“You have made Falkville High School proud,” she said, “and there are no limits to what you can accomplish in the years ahead.”

She also recognized and presented plaques of appreciation to principal Glenn Lang, assistant principal Keith Wilemon and class sponsor Ginger Hume.

As valedictorian, Heather Smith talked about the advantages of growing up in a small town “where everybody knows everybody else” and voiced optimism for the future of her classmates.

“I see great potential in each one of you,” she stated. “I urge you to always strive to do your best and remember where you came from. The fond memories we have made will be with us forever.”

Individual awards were announced as follows:

Haydn Blevins and Christian McCarley, Boys State representatives; Lauren Beasley, outstanding senior band member (John Phillip Sousa Award), Volunteer Service Bronze Award, completion of 18 hours of college credit, UAH Charger Academic Scholarship, Civil Engineering Contractors Scholarship to Auburn University, Leadership Scholarship to South Alabama, Valley Rubber Scholarship and Joe Wheeler EMC J.R. Snuff Scholarship; Tiana Drinkard, class salutatorian, UAH Women’s Track and Field Scholarship and Valley Rubber Scholarship and Volunteer Service Gold Award and DAR Good Citizen Award; Heather Smith, class valedictorian, completion of 22 hours of college credit, Joe Wheeler EMC Scholarship, Valley Rubber Scholarship and Morgan County Career Tech Scholarship and Joe Wheeler Youth Tour Award; Kayla Ferguson, VFW Patriotic Citizen Award and VFW Post 10774 Scholarship; Samantha Baker, UNA Color Guard Scholarship;

Haydn Blevins, Academic Excellence Scholarship to Wallace State Community College, Presidential Scholarship to Calhoun Community College and Joe Wheeler Youth Tour Award, Joe Wheeler EMC Scholarship and Falkville Lions Scholarship; Katy Guyse, National FFA Scholarship, Turf Doctors Biological Lawn Care Scholarship, Morgan County Career Tech Scholarship, College of Forest Resources Scholarship and Mississippi State Academic Scholarship and Dekalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award; Blain Legg, WSCC Electronics Scholarship; Blakelynn McCarley, Valley Rubber Scholarship and Volunteer Silver Service Award; Christian McCarley, Full Sail University Scholarship; Sydney Moore, Wallace State Community College Athletic Scholarship; Amanda Muse, WSCC Allied Health Scholarship and President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award;

Priyanka Patel, Valley Rubber Scholarship, Falkville VFW Post 10774 Scholarship, Falkville Lions Scholarship and Falkville Lions Leadership Award and Red Cross Honor Certificate; Seth Pillow, Valley Rubber Scholarship, Morgan County Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship, Morgan County Career Tech Scholarship and Wallace State HVAC Scholarship; Jared Rowe, Morgan County Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship; Heather Russell, Valley Rubber Scholarship; Meredith Williams, Golden Opportunity Scholarship, University of Southern Mississippi Regional Scholarship and Valley Rubber Scholarship; and Tyler Tucker, State District Star Farmer Award, Valley Rubber Scholarship, Morgan County Career Tech Scholarship and FFA Alumni Scholarship.