The familiar strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” will fill auditoriums in Tallahatchie County this week when Charleston High School and West Tallahatchie High School conduct 2026 graduation ceremonies.
CHS commencement exercises will get underway at 6 p.m. Friday, May 22, in the Morgan Freeman Auditorium on the Charleston campus.
The WTHS commencement program begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23, in the school auditorium in Webb.
Capturing the top academic honor as valedictorian of Charleston’s Class of 2026 is Joseph David Paul Kendall, the son of Steven and Jennifer Kendall of Cascilla.
Second in academic rank at CHS is salutatorian Jada Vinae Leavy, the daughter of Vinson Leavy and Janice Townes of Charleston.
West Tally’s top graduate this year is valedictorian Tradassah Green, the daughter of Calvin Green and Chanika Harvey of Charleston.
The WTHS 2026 salutatorian is Reanna Lakes, the daughter of Carlos and Reshondra Lakes of Clarksdale.
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Charleston High has 86 candidates for graduation.
Processional music will play as cap-and-gown-clad seniors file into the auditorium to begin the ceremony.
An honor guard will conduct the Presentation of Colors.
The national anthem will be sung by Shavell Rice, mother of CHS Principal Eric Rice.
Assistant senior class secretary Amalarie Williams, who is graduating with honors, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
The invocation will be given by senior class secretary Shyerra Truly, also an honor graduate.
Senior class president, Mr. Charleston High School and honor graduate, Anthony Davis, will introduce members of the East Tallahatchie School District Board of Trustees.
Board President Bryant Watson will offer greetings.
Princess Brooks, assistant senior class treasurer and honor graduate, will extend the official welcome.
Class vice president and Miss Charleston High School, Jada Leavy, will deliver the salutatory address.
Joseph Kendall will deliver the valedictory address.
Presentation of diplomas will be by CHS Principal Eric Rice and Superintendent Raymond Russell.
Russell will offer closing remarks.
The benediction will be offered by honor graduate Nikiya Cashaw.
In addition to those already named, also graduating with honors are Payton Atkins, Montreana Blue, Cor’Neyia Collie, Marcus Flowers Jr., Lemar Frost, Makaila Griffin, Marquis Henderson, Maya Jones, Tyler Kuykendall, Ervin Laws Jr., Summer Parker, Tambria’s Price, Asia Scott and De’Moria Shannon.
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West Tallahatchie has 53 graduating seniors this year.
Saturday’s festivities will begin with the processional, after which opening prayer will be offered by the Rev. Anthony Hawkins.
Honor graduate Ethan Collier will extend the welcome.
Salutatorian Reanna Lakes will offer class reflections.
Valedictorian Tradassah Green will deliver a farewell address.
Presentation of the class will be conducted by Principal Damian Collins, and acceptance of the class will be made by West Tallahatchie School District Superintendent Tony Young Sr.
Senior sponsor Glenda Gooden will call the names of those who are candidates for graduation.
Candidates will come forward, receive diplomas and be congratulated by Collins, Young and WTSD Board of Trustees President Sharon Bailey.
Rev. Hawkins will close the program by offering the benediction.
WTHS has 26 honor graduates. In addition to Green, Lakes and Collier, others are Janyla Bailey, Aa’Zion Bolden, Cameron Christian, Roger Davis, Shaleyah Fairlee, T’unshay Hardiman, Khanaisia Harris, Zi’Lynn Harris, Akayla Hicks, Akyhla Hicks, Cordell Hooper, Jeromeshia Hudson, Dakyiha Johnson, Dakyliha Johnson, Ja’Zerrick McGowan, Natasia Pierce, A’Niya Ranson, DeJustia Scott, Terrany Skinner, Gregory Washington, Aliaiyah Westmoreland, Destiny Williams and Korbyn Willis.
West Tally’s senior class motto is, “I didn’t get there by wishing for it or hoping for it, but by working for it,” a quote by late American businesswoman Estee Lauder.
Class colors are silver, light purple and white. The class flower is lavender, and the class song is “Good Old Days,” by Macklemore.
