By Cassie Ipock, Communications Coordinator

 

Dawson Springs High School held its commencement exercises on May 22 as those in attendance celebrated the 26 members of the Class of 2026.

     

It was the first graduation ceremony for Ms. Elizabeth Robinson as principal.  It was also the first commencement with Mr. Wes Ausenbaugh in his new role as chairman of the Board of Education.  

      

During the ceremony, Superintendent Lenny Whalen and Mr. Ausenbaugh presented diplomas to Hayden Barnes, Cooper Burge, Colton Clark, Millie Cotton, James Robert Davis, Samuel Duke, Elijah Dunbar, Jacob Embry, Addison Harris, Aubrie Hickerson, Jackson Hilt, Corbin Jennings, Miley Lowe, Jasmine Lynch, Cash McAlister, Carter McCutchen, Alex McKinney, Trevor McKnight, Christian Moore, Haylee Neal, Jaydon Plunkette, Keaton Putty, Jaxen Thomas, Landon Virgin, Micah Washburn, and Hunter Wirth. 

 

A diploma of distinction or a pre-college diploma was awarded to the nine Honor Graduates: Valedictorian Colton Clark, Salutatorian Jaxen Thomas, Eli Dunbar, Carter McCutchen, Addison Harris, Miley Lowe, Jasmine Lynch, Jaydon Plunkette, and Micah Washburn.  Trevor McKnight also received a pre-college diploma.     

 

11 members of the DSHS Class of 2026 received scholarships as detailed by the district's Guidance Counselor, Brannigan Ethridge.  

     

Class President Jaxen Thomas gained the Women's Club of Madisonville Scholarship of $500; Live Like Logan Memorial Scholarship, $500;  Dawson Springs Youth League Scholarship, $500; Roy McNeely Dawson Springs Rotary Club Scholarship, $500; Jenny Bruce Memorial Scholarship, $500; Timothy Frost Memorial Scholarship, $867; Johnson Family Scholarship, $500; Murray State Regents Scholarship, $8,000; and the David Lee Barnett Memorial Scholarship of $500.  

     

Eli Dunbar was awarded the Hopkins County-Madisonville Board of Realtors Scholarship in the amount of $800; Rotary Interact Scholarship, $500; Bill Outland Memorial Scholarship, $100; Mary Louise McGregor and Joseph William McGregor Memorial Scholarship, $2,780; a $10,000 Trustee Scholarship to Murray State University; and the David Lee Barnett Memorial Scholarship of $500. 

     

Colton Clark received the United Way Community Impact Scholarship totaling $500; R.A. Belt Dawson Springs Rotary Club Scholarship, $500; Loella Lowery Memorial Scholarship, $4,285; Neal Shipp Memorial Scholarship, $100; a $10,320 full tuition Governor’s Scholars Program scholarship to Murray State University; and the David Lee Barnett Memorial Scholarship of $500.  

     

Jaydon Plunkette collected the $600 Love Like Gracie Memorial Scholarship.  

     

Carter McCutchen accepted the Forever 17 Aden McKinney Memorial Scholarship of $500;  Business and Professional Women of Dawson Springs Scholarship, $300; Noel Terry Dawson Springs Rotary Club Scholarship, $500;   Dawson Springs Parent-Teacher Organization Scholarship, $500; Jenny Bruce Memorial Scholarship, $500;  Elizabeth Purdy Memorial Scholarship, $100; Christian Eric McChesney Memorial Scholarship, $100; Paul B. & Mary Francis Stevens Scholarship, $500; a general scholarship to Murray State University, $2,000; a $5,000 Provost Scholarship to Murray State University; and the David Lee Barnett Memorial Scholarship of $500. 

     

Cooper Burge obtained the $500 Dawson Springs Youth League Scholarship.

     

Trevor McKnight earned the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Scholarship of $100; Kentucky Directors of Pupil Personnel Scholarship, $500;  Betty Chaney Memorial Scholarship, $200; Bennie Mouser Memorial Scholarship, $100; and the Ermel Beshear McGregor and Woodruff McGregor Memorial Scholarship of $3,314. 

     

Miley Lowe secured the $100 Fellowship of Christian Athletes Scholarship.  

     

Keaton Putty acquired the $100 Fellowship of Christian Athletes Scholarship. 

     

Hayden Barnes received the $100 Randy Oliver Memorial Scholarship.

 

Jasmine Lynch won the Carr Scholarship for Academic Achievement to Murray State University for $4,000.