Jefferson and Bell

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. 

Moris
Avril Lilian Moris

4.

Brown
Nylashia Seymon Brown

5.

Thomas
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