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 2025 graduation ceremonies.
CHS commencement exercises will get underway at 6 p.m. Friday, May 23, in the Morgan Freeman Auditorium on the Charleston campus.
The WTHS commencement program begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, in the school auditorium in Webb.
Capturing the top academic honor as valedictorian of Charleston’s Class of 2025 is Ferinand Ford Jr., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ferinand Ford Sr. of Holcomb.
Second in academic rank is CHS salutatorian Akeira Goodwin, the daughter of Atari Wilson and Brandon Truly of Charleston.
West Tally’s top graduate this year is valedictorian Mi’Kenzi Christian, the daughter of Jeffery and Tralissa Christian of Charleston.
The WTHS 2025 salutatorian is Mikyalah Davis, the daughter of Roger Davis of Charleston and Tanaka Busby of Webb.
A "Keepsake Graduation Edition" featuring the photos of all Charleston High and West Tallahatchie High School graduates, dozens of "Senior Profiles" in which the seniors offer personal thoughts on the occasion, and congratulatory messages from family and local businesses is included as a supplement to the May 22 print edition of The Sun-Sentinel. The newspaper is on sale now at area retail locations and at The Sun-Sentinel office in Charleston. Call 662-647-8462 for details.
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Charleston High has 60 candidates for Friday night's 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.
Honor graduate and Mr. Charleston High School, Timothy Kirk Jr., will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Bryant Watson, president of the East Tallahatchie School District Board of Trustees, will offer greetings.
Honor graduate Tykeria Davis will give the invocation.
Shamiya Autman, an honor graduate and the vice president of the senior class, will extend the official welcome.
Class president Ta’Neriea Brooks and treasurer Kamiya Johnson, both honor graduates, will introduce members of the school board.
Class secretary Akeira Goodwin will deliver the salutatory address.
Ferinand Ford Jr. will deliver the valedictory address.
Introduction of seniors will be by CHS Principal Eric Rice, while presentation of diplomas will be by Superintendent Raymond Russell.
The benediction will be offered by Miss Charleston High School and class assistant secretary, Alysun Mcintyre, an honor graduate, with the recessional to follow.
Russell will offer closing remarks to conclude the event.
In addition to those already named, also graduating with honors are Ciara Cashaw, Sakota Jones, Sisquoria Moody, Keymorriah Powell, Joseph Simmons Jr., Marcailyn Smith, Breanna Turner, Makynze Washington and Adrianna Wilson.
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West Tallahatchie has 50 seniors this year.
Saturday’s 10 a.m. festivities in Webb will begin with the processional featuring "Pomp and Circumstance,” after which opening prayer will be offered by the Rev. Anthony Hawkins.
Honor graduate Kaliyah Mayes will extend the official welcome.
Valedictorian Mi’Kenzi Christian will offer class reflections.
Salutatorian Mikyalah Davis will introduce the guest speaker, Brandon Beverly.
Beverly, a Webb native, is the son of Linda Burnett and Lt. Col. Arthur Spearman, both of Webb. He is a 1996 graduate of West Tallahatchie High School, where he was very active in athletics as a member of both the track and football teams. He served as captain of the football team during his senior year. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served 22 years, retiring in 2018. While in the military, Beverly traveled to six of the seven continents as part of the historic 75th Ranger Battalion. He earned a bachelor’s in chemistry from Armstrong Atlantic University with a minor in math while still enlisted. After retirement, he attended culinary school. He is currently the executive chef at O’Charley’s Restaurant and Bar.
Presentation of the class will be conducted by WTHS Principal Damian Collins, and acceptance of the class will be by West Tallahatchie School District Superintendent Tony Young.
Instructional coach Kambria Jones 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 Marvin George.
Rev. Hawkins will offer the benediction.
WTHS has 19 honor graduates. In addition to Christian and Davis, other honor graduates, in order of their grade-point average, are Perseph-anie Tanna, Rod’dedra Green, Kennedy Williams, E’Kira Walker, Iraneshia Wise, Asia Jones, Jalin Lewis, A’mare Martin, De’Quavion Willis, Quinton Simmons, Cynterria Jones, Brandon Williams, Eriyn Smith, Unice McDanail, Brenton Williams, Sakkara McDonald and Nasir Simpson.
The senior class motto is “Together We Succeed.”
Class colors are baby blue and gray, the class flower is hibiscus and the class song is “I Will Remember You,” by Sarah McLachlin.
