The graduating Puxico High School Class of 2023 held their Commencement Exercises on Friday, May 12, 2023. Class President, Ella McLain led with the Welcome followed by the Opening by Elizabeth Zych.
Pomp and Circumstance was played by the Puxico High School Band.
Superintendent Cindy Crabb introduced the School Board Members. High School Principal Gretchen Hill introduced the Salutatorian Miss Ella Nevaeh McLain.
Ella is the daughter of Michael and Lisa McLain and the granddaughter of Terry and Donna Scott and Stewart and Brenda McLain. She has followed a college preparatory curriculum and has maintained a 4.3325 grade point average. While in high school Ella has been active in Future Business Leaders of America, FCCLA, Sr. Beta Club and FCS.
In addition Ella has earned numerous awards such as Highest Honors all four years, placed 1st and 3rd in FBLA Districts, placed 1st and 5th in Sr. Beta Club at State, along with many other academic awards from her teachers.
Ella will attend Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri in the fall, where she plans on majoring Nursing. After she earns a Bachelor of Science Degree, she plans to pursue her Master’s Degree. She wants to be a Travel NICU Nurse along with serving on medical mission trips.
Mrs. Deborah Wilkerson, High School Counselor introduced the Senior Speaker Miss Destiny Griffin.
The students and their families then watch a graduation video of baby photos and senior photos.
Mrs. Cindy Crabb then introduced the Valedictorian Mr. Cole Barnfield.
Cole is the son of Chris and Traci Barnfield and the grandson of Larry and Vicki Barnfield of Puxico and Kimberly Brown of Greenville. He has followed a college preparatory curriculum and has maintained a 4.344 grade point average.
While in high school he has been active in baseball, basketball, Sr. Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Scholar Bowl, and band. In addition Cole has earned numerous awards such as All-Conference and two time all District Baseball. Cole held the position of Sr. Beta Club President and Regional Leadership Representative which allowed him to attend the National Beta Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. He was also selected to Attend
Missouri Boys State at Lindenwood University.
Cole will be attending Southeast Missouri State University - Cape Girardeau in the fall. He plans on majoring in Computer Science. After earning a Bachelor’s of Science Degree his ultimate goal is to work for a major corporation like
Microsoft.
Mrs. Deborah Wilkerson, High School Counselor, presented the senior awards and scholarships prior to the presentation of diplomas by Chad Payne, President of the Board of Education and Ms. Gretchen Hill, HS Principal. (Those awards and scholarships will be in next week’s addition of the Puxico Weekly Press).
The Puxico School Song was sang by Mrs. Tonna O’Dell and Shannon Hanners.
Chloey Foster, Class of 2023 performed the Closing Remarks.
The Class of 2023 is as follows: Cole Barnfield, Ella McLain, Elizabeth Zych, Monica Par, Chloey foster, Adysen Shepard, Sara Woolard, Shelby Woolard, Isaac Hann, Duncan Crabb, Drake Guffey (In Memory), Seth Zimmerman, Corbin McGowen, Talley Burns, Bailey Barks, Talon Burkman, Kelten Adams, Sierra Fleming, Jade Walker, Emily Day, Jessica Coleman, John Brotherton, Eric Riddle, Kaedan Thomas, Madison Martin, Destiny Griffin, Elizabeth King, William Rush, Kaylee Jordan, Abagail Runzi, Lanie Wilkerson, Kylee Carroll, Isabella Adams, Colton Jones, Colton McCollum, Billy Carter, Jr., John Sisk, Jr., Jera Backus, and Raigen Zoll.
