CHERRYVALE — Cherryvale High School seniors will take their final walk as high school students on Saturday, May 16 when they are conferred diplomas during commencement ceremonies in the CHS Gymnasium. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m.
Cherryvale High School alumnus Bob Ott of Salina, Kan., will be the guest speaker and the recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award presented by the Cherryvale Alumni Association.
Following his graduation from Cherryvale High School in 1955, Ott earned an associate’s degree from Coffeyville Junior College in 1957 and a bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University in 1960.
Ott worked for Phillips Petroleum Company for seven years before he and wife Dianne formed Ott Oil Company. The company continued for 32 years before the Otts sold the firm in 2000.
Ott served in the Kansas House of Representatives for seven years, was on the board of directors of the Kansas Oil Marketers Association and the Salina Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Asbury Hospital/Salina Regional Medical Center board of directors for 20-plus years.
He also served six years in the Kansas Air National Guard.
Also addressing the class and spectators will be the class valedictorians, Miles McGovney and Kenan Booe, and class salutatorian, Abby Ezard.
McGovney, son of Steve and Cindy McGovney plans to attend Oklahoma State University to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. While at Cherryvale, McGovney has earned numerous honors and awards, including being named a Governor’s Scholar and a Kansas Honor Scholar. He also is a member of the National Honor Society.
McGovney already has amassed a sizable scholarship portfolio. He is the recipient of academic and in-state scholarships at Oklahoma State University that have a combined value of $48,000 over four years. He also has received a $2,000 scholarship from the Cherokee Nation and a scholarship from Coffeyville Resources.
Booe has been an active participant in school activities during his four years at Cherryvale High School. He has participated in football and wrestling for four years, track for three years and has been a member of the school’s Extended Learning Program and National Honor Society.
Booe, the son of Bill and Gina Booe, plans to attend Independence Community College, after which he will transfer to Pittsburg State University or Ozark Christian College to pursue a degree in elementary education.
Ezard also has been an active member of the CHS student body during her four years of high school. She has competed with the basketball and softball teams for four years, served as class vice president and was the Student Council vice president. She also has been a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, where she served in various capacities during her junior and senior years. She also has been involved in the school and yearbook programs.
A National Honor Society member and Kansas Honor Scholar recipient, Ezard plans to major in elementary education at Pittsburg State University.
She is the daughter of Tony and Susan Ezard of Cherryvale.
CHS seniors slated to receive diplomas at Saturday’s commencement exercises include Mariah Bailey, Chance Baker, Brandon Blackburn, Kenan Booe, Travis Burke, Danton Callarman, Tara Case, Randy Casterline, Jr., Kayla Marie Catron, Kristin Clopp, Kenneth Coatney, Cody Cook, Tony Cruz, Clint Diver, Tyler Leigh Edwards, Amber Eytcheson, Abby Ezard, Grant Goins, Adam Greve, Sarah Hagebusch, Alexis Hoesman, Tyler Hughes, Alexandria Hugo, Jacob Huntsinger, Erin King, Justin Lane, Robert Lane, Dillon Linnebur, Holly Losh, Jacob Marchant, Dylan McDiarmid, Miles McGovney, Kelsey Overacker, Bryce Paine, Justin Prather, Cali Sue Raida, Joseph Sargent, Sara Schwaninger, Taylor Scott, Brett C. Shields, Siobhan Simmons, James Edward Smedley, Austin Smith, Troy Steffen, Megan Stewart, Ryan L. Studebaker, Brett L. Thornton, Miranda Wheatley, Amber White, Curtis Williams and Dennon Windsor.
Cherryvale Diploma Center graduates include Larry Mills and Lauren Trout.
