Benton County Discover Class of 2021

DISCOVER B E N TO N C O U N T Y

A S U P P L E M E N T TO T H E C A M D E N C H RO N I C L E ★ J U N E 2 0 2 1

C E L E B R AT I N G T H E

CLASS of 2021

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FEATURES Camden graduates

Big Sandy speakers

Camden speakers

CUCA graduates

Big Sandy graduates

Baby graduates

Photos of Camden Central High School's graduating class of 2021. p.6 O N T H E C OV E R Camden Central High School graduate Trenton Moore receives his diploma from Director of Benton County Schools Mark Florence during CHS commencement on Friday, May 14."

PRESIDENT & CEO Dennis Richardson dennis@magicvalleypublishing.com GROUP PUBLISHER Daniel Richardson daniel@magicvalleypublishing.com

Speeches from Camden Central High School's graduation ceremony. p.11

Photos of Big Sandy High School's graduating class of 2021. p.20

Speeches from Big Sandy High School's graduation ceremony. p.22

Photos of Camden United Christian Academy's graduating class of 2021. p.29

Then and now...p.30

LEAD WRITER Angela Jones angela@thecamdenchronicle.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jennifer Fox jennifer@magicvalleypublishing.com Christy Slaman christy@magicvalleypublishing.com Tracy Kelley tracy@magicvalleypublishing.com A DV E RTI S I NG Bethany Hargis bethany@thecamdenchronicle.com Cheryl Phillips cherylphillips@magicvalleypublishing.com OFFICE MANAGE ME NT Cheryl Young cheryl@thecamdenchronicle.com PROOFRE ADING Joan Phillips BOOKKEEPING Vanessa Witt vanessa@magicvalleypublishing.com

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided. Magic Valley Publishing (MVP) reserves the right to determine the content provided within this publication. All advertising information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser. Appearance in Discover does not necessarily reflect the endorsement of the product and service by MVP. Discover is copyright 2021 Magic Valley Publishing. Reproduction without written permission is prohibited. If you have any questions or comments about this publication please call Magic Valley Publishing's Camden Chronicle office at 731-584-7200.

ABOUT DI SCOVER: CL AS S OF 2 0 21 This special annual publication of The Camden Chronicle is made possible by many advertisers and contributors who want you to experience and discover one of Tennessee’s finest counties. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided. The Camden Chronicle is published 52 times a year; annual in-county subscriptions are $39.

THE CAMDEN CHRONICLE 144 West Main St. Camden, Tn THECAMDENCHRONICLE .COM

Thank you to area businesses that supported the Benton County Class of 2021.

Extra copies of this Discover Class of 2021 Benton County Graduation magazine will be available at The Camden Chronicle office for $3.

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Camden CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

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C A M D E N C E N T R A L H I G H S C H O O L P R O U D LY P R E S E N T S T H E

CLASS of 2021 A R NOLD, C A LEB

A R NOLD, JAY DEN

A R NOLD, MI A

BA LL A R D, DA LY N

BA R K ER, EMM A

BA R NA R D, ELIZ A BETH

BECK H A M, BRYA NNA

BEHZ A D, SA MUEL

BELL , A M A R A

BER RY, A BBY

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BI V ENS, JA MES

BI V ENS, R ICH A R D

BLURTON, R ICK EY

BOY D, K ENNETH

BOY D, TR INIT Y

C A IN, DESIR EE

C A LV ERT, DESTINIE

CHESNEY, TIFFA N Y

COOPER, ASHLY NN

COR NELISON, K A ITELY N

CROU THER S, H AY DEN

CROW E, AUDR EY

DOBSON, JAY

DOUGL AS, H A LEY

DUDNEY, A LE X I A

DUFF, JE A NNIE

DU NC A N, BL A K E

DY ER, BR AY LON

ELLIS, Z ACH A RY

FA R MER, JU LI A

FERGUSON, H AY LEE

FIELDS, JASMINE

FONESC A, DIEGO VA LENZUEL A

FR A ZEE, A BIGA IL

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CAMDEN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL ★ CLASS OF 2021

FR A ZIER, ISA BELL A

FR ENCH, K ELSEY

FU LP, MICH A EL

GOODW IN, M ACK ENZIE

GOOGINS, A NDR EW

GR ACE, NOA H

GU THR IE, TR A EVON

H A FLEY, TR ISTA N

H A MMOND, W ILLI A M

H A MPTON, A LI X

H A RT NEY, A LE X IS

HEW LET T, H A NNA H

HIGHSMITH, K A R A LEE

HOR NER, MEGA N

HOUSEM A N, FA ITH

HOW E, SEBASTI A N

HUDSON, W ESLEY

JACK SON, EMM A

JACOBS, CH A R LES

JOHNSON, A NDR EW

K ELLY, KOLTON

K ENNEDY, GR IFFIN

L AW, CONNOR

LEV ER ET TE, EMILY

LEW IS, EMILY

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LEW IS, K R ISTOFER

LIN, JACK

LOPEZ, JAY DEN

LOV E, DR EW

LOW RY, H AY LEE

LUCERO, A NDR EW

MCC A RT NEY, CR ICK ET

MCNE A L , TR EVOR

ME X IC A NO, A LBERT

MITCHELL , A NTHON Y

MITCHELL , ASHTON

MOOR E, TR ENTON

MORGA N, JACOB

MOROWSK Y, THOM AS

M Y R ICK, A MELI A

NORWOOD, HU NTER

NUGENT, DECL A N

PACE, BR AY DON

PA FFOR D, RY LEE

PAGE, JAY NA

PA INTER, CORY

PAT TON, CH A NCE

PETR EM A N, H AY DEN

PIT TS, JAY LEN

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CAMDEN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL ★ CLASS OF 2021

R EDLU ND, K ATHRY N

R EDMOND, DU NC A N

R EW IS, W INDWA LK ER

ROGER S, A DR E A NNA

ROGER S, MICH A EL

RUSSO, LEV I

SCOT T, H A NNA H

SCOT T, SA R A H

SE ATON, CY DNEY

SILER, JA K EB

SIMON, A NDR E

SMITH, K A MRY N

SMITH, Z ACH A RY

SMOTHER S, BR A DY

STA R NES, DOMINIC

STONE, M A RCUS

TAY LOR, K AY L A

THOR NTON, MERCEDES

TIMS, CL AY TON

TOW NSEND, GAV IN

VAUGHN, DR A K E

V ICK, GA R R ET T

WA LL , LOR AJA NE

WATSON, EMILY

W E ATHER LY, SIER A N

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W HITE, MCGUIR E

W ILLI A MS, JACE

W ILLI A MS, JACK

WOELK, COLEBY

WOODS, CONNOR

SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT

MacKenzie Goodwin Good evening everyone. It is such an honor to be here representing the class of 2021. I would like to begin by thanking our administrators, all of our teachers and staff, the parents or guardians of our senior class, and most importantly our school nurses for their determination this year.

If it wasn't for their hard work and cooperation, we may not have been able to have this ceremony, but here we are.

We made it! Today is the day we have been preparing our whole lives for. Every test we've taken, worksheet we've finished right before class started, and AR book we've read was to get us here.

When we were younger, all we wanted to do was grow up, but for right now I want to slow things down to really appreciate our last moments together. You only get one high school graduation. I don't know about y'all, but this was not the senior year I have always dreamed it would be. Instead of homecoming parades, great pretenders, or field trips, we've experienced quarantines, social distancing, and masks, but we have still managed to make the best of it.

Reaching adulthood can be scary if you let it. For most of us, decisions about our lives were guided by our parents or guardians, but now with our high school diplomas in hand, we are ready to take control of our own lives. Maturity involves

being able to make good decisions, accepting responsibility, and being willing to be held accountable for our actions. If we look back at ourselves freshman year, I think it's safe to say that we have all matured (some of us more than others). The challenges we have experienced over the past four years have shaped us into the young adults we are today.

Our next steps are directed towards how to begin our future.

Whatever challenges you face later in life, I want you to strive to be the best version of yourselves.

Romans 12:2 (KJV) says "And be not conformed to this world: But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." We all need to learn to be ourselves in every way possible. I expect us all to not let the world change who we really are.

As we go our separate ways and start the next chapters of our lives, whether it be college, tech school, or going straight to work, I hope we all have the dedication to make something of ourselves. This is your life - push yourself to achieve your dreams. But most of all, find your purpose. You are never promised another day, so never take a moment for granted.

Congratulations class of 2021, I wish you the best of luck in your journey of this life... and I love you, Mom! Thank you.

G

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CAMDEN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL ★ CLASS OF 2021 STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Sieran Weatherly Good evening everyone. Before starting, I want to thank everybody who took the time to come watch our class graduate. I also would like to thank the friends and family who couldn't make it tonight for loving and supporting their graduates, even though they cannot be here in person.

Wow. Honestly, I am shocked at how fast we got to this point. It feels like we're still supposed to be freshmen, wandering the halls in search of our new high school classes.

I remember my first day at Camden Central High School. I had just moved from another state and, quite honestly, I was terrified. My family had abandoned everything we had ever known in search of new beginnings. I remember the day after we moved here my mom forced me to go to freshman camp, and I had felt my heart leap into my throat at the very thought. Would I make friends? Would I fit in? Or would everyone think I was weird?

Did I make friends? Yeah, thankfully I did. Did I fit in? Eh… Did some people think I was weird, and do they still to this day? Absolutely!

But is that really a bad thing?

If you had the chance to go back in time and speak to yourself as a freshman, what would you say? I'm sure a lot of things just popped into your head, maybe some of them weren't very pleasant. The first thing I would probably say to my 14-year-old self is to stop dying her hair the color of tomato paste, but that's beside the point. The second thing I would say is to stop worrying so much.

I have spent so many years worrying about how I presented myself to the world. What would make people look at me less, what would make people like me more. Because in this world, the more you conform to your peers the more opportunities you seem to be presented, right? The more normal you look, the more you are accepted, right?

I grew up in a big family, and

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with growing up in a big family, I was held to certain "expectations" of how I was supposed to be. I was supposed to sit and look pretty. I wasn't supposed to have my own opinions. I was supposed to be beneath men and cater to my future husband's needs. It was weird if I cut my hair, if I dressed non-femininely, or if I (God forbid) wore green lipstick. I could've accepted those expectations. I could've been the perfect little stereotype of what a woman was supposed to be.

But my mom is a strong woman who wanted me to be who I wanted.

My sisters grew up headstrong and made sure that I knew my worth, and my brother has always supported who I am. Through them I became the person I am now.

One of my last memories before I moved away from my hometown was when I stood and watched as my uncle shunned and mocked educated women. It was at that very moment that I decided that it would bring me no greater joy than to see the look on his face when I grew up to be a well-educated woman myself. And not only that, it would bring me great joy to see the look on my family's faces when I grew up to be a woman who didn't remain silent and didn't bend to anyone's will, and who didn't fit into their expectations.

And so if I, as I am now, could speak to my freshman self, she would be shocked and proud of what she saw. Because who I am now is who I want to be, and not what society longs for me to be.

And you know what? It's okay to fall into the stereotype. But, and I want you all to really listen, never let anyone force you to be something or someone you don't want to be. Don't let your life be dictated by fear of what others will say. Because you will never be able to reach your full potential if you're living for someone else and not yourself.

Thank you.

W

B E TA C L U B P R E S I D E N T

Amelia Myrick On August 12, 2008, the class of 2021 walked in the doors of Camden Elementary for the first time together to start the next 13 years of our lives. Living through those years felt like an eternity, and somedays I wondered if this day would ever get here, but looking back on our schooling, the years truly have flown by. Just as we walked together into that new world as kindergarteners, we stand together today, about to embark into a whole new journey into adulthood and the real world.

As we go into a whole new world where we will have to figure out how things work all over again, we will have memories of school together to look back upon. Playing on the playground in elementary school, field day at Briarwood, going through that awkward middle school phase, and so many more from these past four years. Working on homecoming floats (especially the one where Jace Williams fell through the trailer), Fridays in Mrs. Jennifer Pierce's class, and then Friday nights on the football field, Deca Fashion Shows, State Conventions, and most importantly beating Waverly right here in Tommy Richardson Stadium.

The key factor in all these memories is that we were all together as a class. It's quite often that you see grades that have a bunch of different cliques, and they don't care about the rest of their classmates. While we have our friends and certain groups that we hang out with all the time, we still come together when it is needed. When others need help, we never fail to come together as a class and give them what they need.

That's what we are going to remember about high school. Not every single lesson we learned in math, or vocabulary word in English, but that we have people who are always going to be there for us no matter what, because odds are they've gone through the same things we have.

We have been through a lot together this past year. In March of last year, we left school with-

out knowing if we would ever be back. We saw seniors before us not get their last day of school, senior prom, and last time being together.

The future is always unknown, but it was even more uncertain for us due to COVID-19. We got to come back to school eventually, but it wasn't the same. We have masks, social distancing, cleaning desks after every class period, all things that nobody ever imagined we would have to endure during our senior year of high school.

We didn't get a typical senior year. We may not have gotten a homecoming parade, an entire year of learning in the classroom, pep rallies, and some other typical senior stuff. What I did get from this year, however, was a new perspective on life. I've always heard that you're supposed to live in the moment, not dwell on the past or speed up the future, but I never fully understood why until I was scared that I wouldn't be able to have a senior year at all. When you're not sure what you are going to be able to have and do, it makes you appreciate the things you can get even more.

I learned to make each day or each game cheering on the sidelines count, because it was always so uncertain if we would be able to do that again. But no matter how uncertain you are about what is going to come, God knows exactly where you're going. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope, and a future." God has these plans and knows your future so there is no need to worry about what is to come.

We are going to go through seasons in our lives, and those seasons are what help us grow. We have gone through the elementary school stage of our lives where our biggest worry was where we were going first on the playground and what new was coming on Disney channel that night. We have gone through the middle school stage

where we cared way too much what others thought of us and thought that wearing a ponytail every day was the best fashion choice we had ever seen. And now we have completed the high school phase of our lives, where we found who we are.

High school is where you're going to find friends that you know will be there with you no matter what, or you find that some people were put in your life to learn from and help you grow. High school is where you're going to learn everything from how to save enough money to pay cash for a new car to how to balance a chemical equation. It’s where you find yourself and figure out what you want to do with your life, and where you start reaching toward those dreams.

I've been asked quite a few times about what CHS is like. Well, Camden Central High School is a place where you're going to be told you are loved twice a day, every day,

by Mrs. Churchwell or Mr. McDowell. Where you're going to get so excited about winning a trophy that's shaped like a bridge and learn the true meaning of Lion Pride.

CHS is where you will have teachers that care about your future, and you'll even have some that feel like your best friend at times.

Camden Central High School is having people that will be with you wherever you go in life, so I guess that means that we really are all in this together. Because, once a Lion, always a Lion.

M

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CAMDEN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL ★ CLASS OF 2021

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Big Sandy HIGH SCHOOL

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B I G S A N D Y H I G H S C H O O L P R O U D LY P R E S E N T S T H E

CLASS of 2021 A LLEM A NI, LOGA N

BER RY, BR A NDON

DY K ES, LY DI A

FLOW ER S, MEGA N

GR ATH W ELL , JONA H

H A MMOND, A LE X

HE ATHCOT T, TOR IONA

K EEFE, MIR A NDA

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LENTZ, K AY LEE

M AY BER RY, AV ERY

WA DE, A NNA LISE

MENTZER, A LE X IS

W ILLI A MS, A LINA

ROGER S, K E ATON

W IMBER LEY, CH A NCETON

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B I G S A N DY H I G H S C H O O L ★ C L A S S O F 2 0 2 1 SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT

Lydia Dykes I would like to welcome everyone who could make it tonight and I am grateful for everyone who made this graduation possible for the Class of 2021. As you all know, the pandemic affected us greatly this past year, so I want to say thank you to the administrators who allowed us to go to school in person.

I also would like to say thank you to all of the teachers and parents who have helped us over the years. Each of you has shaped us into the people we are, and I know that without you all, we would not be where we are today. I hope that when the time comes to step into the "real world," we make you guys proud of the accomplishments we make.

Many memories have been made in this gym these past four years.

From the basketball fans who came to support us every night even though we were clearly the underdogs, to Brandon fumbling the ball, me fouling out, or Avery running into that wall. The memories and bonds that have been made in this school have truly been a once-in-alifetime experience and I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. As time goes on we should always treasure these moments, because even though high school seemed to fly by, we learned so much from each other and made these years some of the best.

This school may be one of the smallest, but the people who work inside of it have some of the biggest hearts I have ever seen. Even though we may have stepped on their nerves more than enough times, we wouldn't have wanted any other people to annoy and to teach us about school and even life.

Our class has always been small, which makes us unique from the rest. We have been able to form friendships that have lasted throughout the years. Even if we do

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fight, our one hallway made it really hard for us to stay mad at each other for long. I believe this school has definitely been a stepping stone that has made us who we are today.

Most of us have been together since Kindergarten and some have moved here throughout the years, but I have been with you all long enough to know that each of you is special. You are smart, creative, and driven in your own ways. I know that even though starting this next chapter of our lives seems a little scary, we got this! If you ever have a problem, we will always be here for you. Over time we went from being just classmates to becoming something like a family.

Everyone tells you that now you're going to enter the "real world" and it may seem like a terrifying thought but in my opinion, I think that all of us are fully capable.

You just have to believe in yourself and never quit. Everything we have learned these past four years will take us a lot farther than we think, and will push us to reach our truest potential.

As Michael Josephson said, "Take pride in how far you've come, have faith in how far you can go, but don't forget to enjoy the journey." As we move forward in life and become the best we can be, we should always enjoy the little moments, celebrate the big ones, and never give up on our dreams. We will always be a family because the bond we have formed can never be broken.

I'm proud of how far we have come and am excited to see what directions life takes us, even if it is a long way from each other. The most important thing is that we can look at ourselves and be happy with how we turned out because I know I am.

I want to wish the best of luck to everyone. I love you guys!

D

B E TA C L U B P R E S I D E N T

Annalise Wade Big Sandy Class of 2021, we survived. Big Sandy Betas, we did it. Parents, family, friends, teachers, and staff – we finally made it to graduation night.

Through the expected awkwardness of freshman year, to the hard realizations of sophomore life, to COVID-19 quarantining as juniors, and then to perhaps the most unorthodox senior year any of us in this room can imagine, we have finally emerged from the lightless tunnel we have so often believed high school to be.

Tonight, l am here to challenge you to see the future beyond that tunnel as a true Beta would. I am here to encourage you to value true achievement, to pursue good character, and to embody genuine leadership even if the past and its expectations make doing so difficult.

Most of us know, of course, that the Beta Club is committed to celebrating the academic achievements of its members.

Our very own club has received numerous awards from both state and national Beta conventions in the past several years, and for this, Betas, I commend you. You have done well. But seniors, never forget to acknowledge the role God and those around you have played in your successes, no matter how small or how large, and remember even in your celebration that your worth does not come from the recognition you have or have not received.

In fact, character is the second pillar of the National Beta Club.

I think we can all agree that we want to be good people. But putting the virtues of goodness into practice is a lot harder than reciting a motto or writing an essay to win a competition, isn't it?

Just remember that you are so much more than what you do.

What you cultivate inside your heart and soul will inevitably affect your mind and actions, and it is the light that spills from the inside that is most beautiful on

the outside.

Seniors, I urge you tonight to hold your family, friends, and Savior close as you strive for success. Never forget that a single kind word can be more powerful in this world full of people than a thousand profound observations in an essay. A good character will long outlive a piece of paper in the minds and hearts of those around you.

The final two pillars of Beta may be summed up in as many words: Servant leadership. Or, as the National Beta Club motto goes, "Let us lead by serving others." Perhaps this commitment is one of the most important commitments Beta defines for us as people in general, because true servant-leaders will inevitably achieve great things even as their characters soar.

If you remember anything from this speech, Betas, seniors, let it be that the best way to truly affect others, to lead them and make a lasting difference in this world, is simple. You must humbly serve them, help them, love them even in ways that seem as insignificant as volunteering to mow the yard of a sick neighbor for free. This might be the hardest challenge I can give to you tonight, but it is also the most worthwhile. Being willing to truly serve God and others even when it is hard, is to serve a purpose far bigger and more fulfilling than any other pursuit you can imagine.

Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him always."

You do not have to be in Beta or school or anywhere else but where you are right now to accomplish great things. You can be successful right here. You can count your blessings and choose to smile always. You can be a leader right now.

Parents, family, friends, teachers, and staff, you have done and

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sacrificed so much to get us to this stage tonight, and we can't wait to show you what's next.

Big Sandy Betas, we might have finished high school with this golden tassel on our caps, but our time of service and leadership is

far from over.

Big Sandy Class of 2021, tonight's graduation is a big ending for each and every one of us, but it can be an even bigger beginning - if only you are willing to be the light that makes it so. Thank you.

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B I G S A N DY H I G H S C H O O L ★ C L A S S O F 2 0 2 1

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C A M D E N U N I T E D C H R I S T I A N A C A D E M Y P R O U D LY P R E S E N T S T H E

CLASS of 2021 CA RTER, M ADISON

SMITH, LUK E

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