Cape Hatteras Secondary commencement launches 54 graduates
By Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy
mhgm@thecoastlandtimes.com
Cape Hatteras Secondary School’s gymnasium was filled with family members and friends to witness the start of new adventures for 56 members of the Class of 2024. A festive spirit was abroad in the gymnasium. Families brought bouquets of flowers, held up photos of soon-to-be graduates and arrived early to claim a row or rows of seats. Portions of the commencement program were delivered in English and Spanish by class members, like Abby O’Neal and Ronald Contreras-Garcia, who introduced the guest speaker, high school teacher Natasha Farrow and one of three class sponsors. She challenged the class to “find the courage to grow, the strength to persevere and the wisdom to embrace life’s imperfections.”
parents, who drove her from Hatteras village to monthly Board of Education meetings in Manteo and waited until the end to take her home. She told her classmates, “you will always have a home on this precious island.”
Class salutatorian Sherlyn Ingrid Mendieta-Lozano commented on the “smiling faces here” for the seniors. She emotionally thanked her
Grace Vernesoni, the class valedictorian, praised the small island community. She said “Go out into the real world …” Cape Hatteras
Secondary School’s commencement ceremony was the last of the three high schools in the Dare County Schools system.
First Flight High seniors graduated Friday, June 7, 2024, outside. Manteo High School Class of 2024 graduated Saturday morning, June 8, at the Lost Colony Waterside Theater.
For the first time in several years, all members of
the Dare County Board of Education attended the 2024 commencement at Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies. The members of the Class of 2024 Cape Hatteras Secondary School are: Lency Abreo-Ibarra, Derrick James Allen, David Amortegui Valencia, Noah Alexander Baker, Alyssa Morgan Bryan , Dominic Clyde Caputo,
Raven Soleo Castillo Harkrader, Jazira Indigo Dream Christ, Landen Maddox Clark and Ronald Kevin Contreras-Garcia; Maddox Archer Cromwell, Derek Ray Cunningham, Jackson Isaiah Davis, Mari Wynn Dove, Robert Alan Eakes Jr., Abigail Layne Edwards, Derek Garcia Rodriguez, Jordan Calvin Harris,
See Hatteras, 9B
MARY HELEN GOODLOE-MURPHY PHOTOS
CHS seniors at start of the event.
These three graduates of Cape Hatteras Secondary School will join the U.S. Coast Guard as their blue sashes proclaim. Joining the U.S. Coast Guard are, from left, Derek Garcia Rodriguez, Noah Alexander Baker and Raven Soleo Castillo Harkrader. Baker and Harkrader are North Carolina Academic Scholars.
Class of 2024
CCHS graduates 251
By Philip S. Ruckle Jr. philip.ruckle@ thecoastlandtimes.com
As the sun set slowly in the western sky, 251 Currituck County students closed out their four year high school career with a cap-and-gown commencement ceremony on the high school’s athletic field June 7, 2024. It was one of five coastal school ceremonies held that same weekend.
Dr. Justin Durham, school principal, was near the front of the procession as the high school band played the well known “Pomp and Circumstance” by Sir Edward Elgar. Standing on the stage with the school’s top 10 graduates Kiara Antonacci, Morgan Carroll, Mia Corcino, Aniyah Hancock, Sadie Hughes, Lia Newbern, Riley Parker, Gariel Taylor, Shane Villaneuva and Grace Walls, Dr. Durham then provided a brief welcome to the hundreds of family and friends attending.
Following the presentation of colors by Currituck County High School Air Force JROTC members Shawn Melick, Florencia Flores Perez, Jertod Mundosky and Dominic Parker, soloist Harlee Rohrer sang our National Anthem and Elizabeth Newbern, one of the top ten graduates, led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Dr. Durham then introduced Class of 2024 president Gabriel Chase Taylor who pointed out that from this point on he and his classmates would be on their own in the world. Taylor then challenged everyone to “think big.”
Next up was Grace Lillian Walls with salutatory remarks. After confessing that Dr. Durham was correct when he told her the senior year would pass by quickly, Walls cautioned classmates to not give up on success too soon and they should press on to the end.
In similar fashion with her valedictory address, Riley Paige Parker advised not to spend too much time wishing for the future nor should they take the present for granted.
As the program progressed, graduating senior Hunter Turner wowed the crowd with the Tim McGraw song selection “Always Stay Humble and Kind.”
Immediately after Robert Griffin, a 27 year Currituck County High School math teacher and Currituck graduate, stood at the podium as keynote speaker. He did, however, before offering graduates
three important characteristics for their future, took a moment to get a selfie from the stage with the graduates in the background.
During his talk Griffin said:
1) Be wise in your decisions.
2) Be kind to others.
Every interaction is a chance to show kindness because demonstrating kindness is a choice, just as meanness is a choice.
3) Be life-giving to others. Be a good neighbor.
The program then transitioned to the long awaited presentation of diplomas by Superintendent
Dr. Matthew Lutz, Currituck County Board of Education Chairman Janet Rose, Assistant Superintendent Renee Dowdy, Assistant Principals Michael McCullough, Tenia Maurer and Cris Fields along with a photo op with Dr. Durham as each student crossed the stage. It was then time for Tay
lor, as class president, to lead the turning of the tassel followed by another Pomp and Circumstance performance from the band, a class picture near the goalposts and traditional cap tossing into the air. The list of graduates
PHILIP S. RUCKLE JR. PHOTOS
The CCHS Class of 2024.
See Currituck, 8B
Valedictorian Riley Paige Parker.
Currituck County High School principal Dr. Justin Durham posed with each graduate for a photo.
Keynote speaker Robert Griffin, a math teacher for 32 years, with 27 at Currituck County High School.
Class of 2024
Manteo High School’s Class of 2024
PHOTOS COURTESY DARE COUNTY SCHOOLS
First Flight High School’s Class of 2024
PHOTOS
Class of 2024
Hyde Academy/Mattamuskeet School celebrates Class Of 2024
Members of the Class of 2024 at Hyde Academy/Mattamuskeet School celebrated their high school graduation on May 24. The dual enrollment program allows students to take college courses while in high school, with 19 students presented with high school diplomas of whom five also received an associate degree or certificate through Beaufort County Community College.
The graduates who earned degrees or certificates participated in a larger ceremony with graduates from the college and other early college high school students on May 10. Students who did not complete a degree still have the option to finish at Beaufort CCC or transfer credits to a university. Hyde County residents are eligible for the Beaufort Promise Scholarship, offering free tuition and fees for qualifying students.
Elizabeth Craven, Amirea Gibbs and Lesly Mendieta-Magana earned an associate in arts. Noah Stewart earned an associate in science. Esperansa Morales earned a certificate in early childhood education. Lesly Mendieta-Magana also earned a pharmacy technician certification.
Amirea Gibbs and Noah Stewart graduated with cum laude honors from Beaufort CCC. As salutatorian and valedictorian, respectively, both addressed the class, as did Gordon Sadler, the carpentry teacher at Mattamuskeet School and guest speaker.
Dual enrollment is popular among students who want to pursue a fouryear degree or more because they can cut down on the number of credits they will need to take at a university. Rural communities can struggle to attract welders, health
care providers, or business managers from other areas, so helping their own residents gain the skills they need to become the next generation of professionals ensures the prosperity of
these communities, noted Beaufort CCC. Beaufort CCC also partners with Columbia Early College High School, Washington County Early College High School, and Beaufort County Early
College High School. Qualified students from all area high schools can take free college classes through Career and College Promise. Early college high school students go to high
school classes for their first two years, later transitioning to taking college classes through broadcast, online or in person, just like any other college students at Beaufort CCC. At the end of their
DCS recognizes AVID graduates
or university
• Nelly Almeida-Silva
• Kaia Rothrock
education, they can earn a high school diploma as well as an associate degree or certificates.
“BCCC wishes all the best to its early college students,” stated a news release from the school.
• Allie Foster
• Take AVID courses for at least three years in high school
• Keep an unweighted GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Complete at least 100 hours of community service
• Get accepted into a two- or four-year college
Dare County Schools recognized its AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) graduates for 2024. More than 30 Dare County seniors received their AVID graduation honor cords during the Annual AVID Catch and Release ceremony on May 6 at Jennette’s Pier. AVID is a program that helps close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career. To earn an AVID graduation honor cord, students need to:
Through AVID, these students have developed the skills they need to be successful in any path they choose, whether that is attending college or starting a career.
• Santiago Alvarez Isidoro
• Jesus Ayala Garcia
• Isabella Blouir
• Matthew Carranza
• Uriel Cota-Ayala
• Rodolfo Delgado- Mariano
• Isaac Jarvis
• Jazlyn Velasquez
• Allan Vicente Diaz
First Flight High School
• Katie Braddy
• Elijah Brickhouse
• Molly Hill
• Savannah Lawton
• Kenya Lopez
• Kayla Loveless
• Gray Miller
• Hailey Radogna
• Brooke Tomlin
The following students were DCS AVID graduates in 2024:
Manteo High School
• Thalia Aguirre Gomez
• Angelica Landazuri
• Bigni Lopez Angel
• Dustin MartinezVargas
• Montana Miller
• Lucille Byrum
• Isabella Coates Lorzo
• Seth Daniels
• Ripley Farr
• Nasmin Flores
Dare Learning Academy graduated 17 students in 2023-24 school year
Dare County Schools expressed congratulations to 11 students who graduated this spring from Dare Learning Academy, Dare County Schools’ alternative high school.
Thirteen graduates also earn COA degrees
Thirteen Dare County Schools seniors who have achieved a remarkable milestone: they received high school diplomas and degrees from College of The Albemarle (COA) through the dual enrollment program.
Through the Career and College Promise program, these dedicated students began taking courses at COA as juniors and successfully completed a twoyear degree at no cost.
“We are incredibly proud of their hard work and success in a college environment,” stated Dare County Schools. “A special shoutout goes to Gitzelle Enciso-Ramirez from Manteo
Cape Hatteras
Secondary School
• Gabriella Space
With sites operating within each local high school, these students participated in their respective site’s graduation ceremony.
Dare Learning Academy also had six mid-year graduates, bringing the total number of Dare Learning Academy graduates to 17 for the 2023-24 school year.
High School, who was nominated for COA’s President’s Service Cup – the highest award a COA student can receive. Gitzelle was selected from COA’s Dare campus for her excellence in the classroom, her significant contributions of service to the college, and her active involvement in the community.”
Cape Hatteras
Secondary Spring Graduates:
• Isabella Heilig - Associates in Arts
• Sherlyn Mendieta-Lozano - Associates in Arts
• Abby O’Neal - Associates in Arts
• Grace Vernesoni - Associates in Arts
Summer Graduates:
• Silas Midgett - Associates in Arts
• Ayden Throne - Associates in Arts
First Flight High School
• Chris Hutchins - Welding Diploma
• Kellen Morris - Associates of Arts and Science
• Grace Rusk - Associates of Arts
• Diego Rodriguez Trochez - HVAC Diploma
Manteo High School
• Noah Blalock - Welding Diploma
• Gitzelle Enciso-Ramirez - Associates in Arts
• Anakin Robb - Welding Diploma
PHOTOS COURTESY BEAUFORT CCC
Shown, back, from left, are Kalen Simpson, Shamill Thomas, Isaiah Rickard, Noah Stewart, Jabari Gibbs, Kaegan Sadler, Thomas Leiva and Joseph Hardy; front, from left, Garrett Guthrie, Esperansa Morales, Amirea Gibbs, Aziza Brickhouse, Lesly Mendieta-Magana, James Sykes, Teresita Campos Corvoda, Elizabeth Craven and Kendall Berry.
Students pictured with Allison Ethridge, principal.
Columbia Early College High School celebrates Class Of 2024
Members of the Class of 2024 at Columbia Early College High School celebrated their high school graduation in Columbia. The dual enrollment program allows students to start taking college courses while in high school. Forty-two students were presented with high school diplomas, four of whom also received associate degrees through Beaufort County Community College.
The four Beaufort CCC graduates had participated in a larger ceremony with other graduates from the college on May 10. They are headed off to universities, the military, and the workforce. Just as important as the associate degrees earned are all the college credits that the graduating class earned. Students who did not complete a degree still have the option to finish at Beaufort CCC or transfer credits to a university, saving them time and money. Graduates were recognized for different achievements at the ceremony. Aiden Bryant; John Etheridge III; Brayaa Franco Gonzalez; and Reagan Phelps all received degrees through Beaufort CCC. Skylar Roughton earned the Beatrice
Calderon Citizenship Award. Takayah Basnight earned the President’s Award for Educational Achievement. Aiden Bryant earned the President’s Award for Educational Excellence.
Aiden Bryant graduated summa cum laude, holding a GPA of 4.0, from Beaufort CCC. John Etheridge III was the salutatorian and Aiden Bryant was the valedictorian. Nola Ransom and Alex Simmons addressed the graduates as commencement speakers.
Every high school in Beaufort CCC’s four-county service area has students who participate in dual-enrollment programs. At Columbia ECHS, students can choose to stay a fifth year to complete college courses, though all students in the Class of 2024 graduate together. This means that students who prefer a traditional high school education can graduate in four years without taking any college classes, though most of the Class of 2024 graduated with some college credit.
Beaufort CCC also partners with Washington County Early College High School, Hyde Academy, and Beaufort County Early College High School, and qualified students
from all area high schools can take free college classes through Career and College Promise.
“Beaufort CCC wish es all the best to its early college students,” noted a news release from the school.
PHOTOS COURTESY BEAUFORT CCC
Shown, from left, are Brayaa Franco Gonzalez, John Etheridge III, Aiden Bryant and Reagan Phelps, who all received
degrees through Beaufort County Community College.
Reagan Phelps receives her diploma.
John Etheridge III receives his diploma.
Class of 2024
PHillips
Pineda
PHILIP S. RUCKLE JR. PHOTOS
Photo time with family and graduating seniors following the June 7 cap-and-gown commencement ceremony.
Currituck County High School principal Dr. Justin Durham posed with each graduate for a photo.
Isabella Page Heilig, Jassmine Ibarra-Ramirez; Adrianne Margret Jackson, Destyn Lee Jakob, Summer Lynn Johnson, Austin Joseph Jones, Tabitha Sky Lewark, Ann Margaret Lord, Lana Kathryn Luckett, Taylor Nichole Mabry, Emely Macias Rodriguez, Freeman Gunnar Meekins, Sherlyn Ingrid Mendieta-Lozano; Kyler Edward Merillat, Silas Stockton Midgett, Tyler Dawson Midgette, Alice Ivonne Miranda, Miranda Ebony Miranda, Katelyn Elizabeth Myers, Abby Lee O’Neal, Alice Mae Oden, Andrew Ignacio Perez, Kinzlie Bryan Philips, Kylie Scarborough Philips; Faith Marie Porras Ruter, Benjamin Brock Quidley II, Amanda Ruby Quiroz, Lillian Gail Quist, Samantha Beatriz Rebollo Perez, Mallory Ruth Ann Saunders, Colin Alexander Scalia, Gabriella Sayge Space, William Lee Thatch; Ayden Eric Throne,
Grace Catherine Vernesoni is the valedictorian for the Cape Hatteras Secondary Class of 2024. She will attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study neuroscience and statistics. She also received her associate in arts degree from College of The Albemarle. She received $26,000 in scholarships during the senior celebration.
Sherlyn Ingrid Mendieta-Lozano is the salutatorian for the Cape Hatteras Secondary Class of 2024. She will be attending University of North Carolina-Charlotte to study international business. She received $38,000 in scholarships. Sherlyn served as the first student advisor from Cape Hatteras Secondary to the Dare County Board of Education during her senior year. She also received her associate in arts degree from College of The Albemarle.
MARY HELEN GOODLOE-MURPHY PHOTOS
Cape Hatteras Secondary marshals for the Class of 2024 commencement are, chief marshal Kirra Enseñat, Rylee Oberbeck, Savannah Moore and Kevin Gonzalez-Caldera.
The Cape Hatteras Secondary graduation band, under the direction of Sean McCroskey, played traditional music at the Class of 2024 commencement held in the campus gymnasium on Saturday evening, June 8, 2024.