Cross High will celebrate 34 graduating seniors tonight at the high school.
The class of 2023 includes 17 students eligible for the Life Scholarship and eight students eligible for the Hope Scholarship. There are two Presidential Scholars and two students who plan to join the military.
Graduates scored an estimated $1,249,719 in academic scholarships this year.
Tonight’s commencement exercises will begin at 6 p.m.
Valedictorian
Jaivon Markese Jefferson
Parents: Dr. Jeannie Lett and Mr. Wilford Jefferson
Awards: Breakfast of Champions recipient; highest average Economics; Senior Scholar; Highest Average GPA, FBLA State qualifier; Trident technical College Dean’s list; CHS Principal’s list; A/B honor roll; Junior Marshall highest athlete Trojan Award.
Offices held: Student Council; Mr. Cross High School first runner up; first place district FBLA; first place Lower State triple jump
Extracurricular activities: Basketball, football, track, wrestling, choir member, FBLA member Upward Bound; Little League assistant coach
Scholarships earned: Franklin & Charlotte Broughton Scholarship; Claflin University Valedictorian Scholarship; Clemson University; LSU Scholarship; Jackson State University Scholarship; Life Scholarship; Charleston Southern University Presidential Scholarship; Bethune Cookman Merit Scholarships; NGU Scholarship; Talladega Presidential Scholarship; Savannah State University Scholarship; SCSU Scholarship.
Total scholarship amount: $112,600
College attending: Clemson University
Intended major: Engineering
Message to the senior class: “Always remember to be humble. When you get to that place where you are going, don’t forget where you came from and how you got there, and who help you along the way!”
Salutatorian
Janessa Olivia Bell
Parents: Vanessa Wigfall-Bell and Bishop Bell
Awards: Skills USA State Champion; FTC Robotics State Qualifier; Junior Marshall; highest average awards, A/B honor roll; Principal’s list; Trident Technical College Dean’s list
Offices Held: Senior Class Vice President; Student Body Treasurer; Former Junior Class Secretary
Extracurricular activities: Softball; Robotics; Student Government; Trio Member; Upward Bound member
Scholarships earned: Xavier University; Claflin University; Charleston Southern University; Bethune Cookman Merit Scholarship; JCSU Presidential Scholarship; Lander University; Winthrop University; JCS University; LSU; Morgan State University Scholarship; Life Scholarship; Eutawville Community Funeral Home Scholarship; Lee’s Classic Adventure; Laurel Lodge; BOD/MUSC; Frank and Charlotte Broughton Scholarship; Santee Cooper; Berkeley Electric; Class of 1967; Wilhemina Moore Scholarship; Jeremiah Bradley; Smith’s Sibling; Zeta Phi Beta; Virginia State University
Total scholarship amount: $556,119
College attending: Claflin University
Message to the senior class: “Dear class of 2023, we did it. This is just one small step of much more to come. I would like to encourage you to stay focused on your goals. Although it may be tempting to procrastinate or lose sight of our goals, remember why we started this journey in the first place. Let’s strive to be the best versions of ourselves and make the most of our time here.”
Top 5 Graduating Seniors
Joining Jefferson and Bell are the following students.
3.
Avril Lilian Moris
4.
Nylashia Seymon Brown
5.
Gabrielle Maizell Thomas
Cross High’s graduating class of 2023
Tyler Ely Askins
Ja'nessa Olivia Bell
Naheem Tyrell Booth
Nylashia Seymon Brown
Tevin Omari Brown
Michael Lee Cooper
Madison Elizabeth Coshow
Khaliyah Yashi Eady
Je'lynn Alonna Ferguson
Denasia Tronice Frazier
Damion Tyrek Haines
Jaivon Markese Jefferson
Kiron Shyrique Jenkins
Santory Tramel Mie'shyne Jones
Andrew James Keene
Antwan George Mack
Zoe Denise Martinez
Anthony David Mazyck
Amonte Omari Javon McCray
Juan Jose Mendez-Arciniega
Kriston Dominic Moore
Avril Lilian Moris
Jada Khaleal Pinckney
Destiny Saniya Price
Nilah Destiny Rogers
Dwayne Scott, Jr.
Jalen Cornelius Simmons
Shawn Keith Simmons, Jr.
Tranice Simone Smalls
John Henry Steed
Khalil Joshua Stone
Gabrielle Maizell Thomas
Andrew Clayton Viars
Cameron Lamont White