BCHS Class of 2020 graduates 158 Seniors; 140 attend ceremony on Saturday

Tue, 06/02/2020 - 9:11pm — John Embry

Valedictorian Emily Tyree with her diploma. Tyree gave the traditional speech at Saturday's event.

It wasn’t quite what was expected at the beginning of the 2019-20 academic year but the Butler County High School Senior Class of 2020 said its final good-byes on Saturday, May 30, during a COVID-19-impacted graduation ceremony. The event lasted over 12 hours due to social distancing and other guidelines designed to minimize contact. Of the 158 graduating seniors, 140 attended the graduation event.

Each Senior accepted their diploma from school officials and with family members in attendance. The entire event, including each diploma presentation, was streamed live on Facebook. Each Senior will also receive an 8x10 and two 5x7 photographs.

“I thought overall it went very well. We couldn’t have asked for a better day weather-wise. I felt like all the planning and procedures paid off,” said BCHS Principal Michael Gruber. “The seniors are an exceptional class and they persevered through all the setbacks during this pandemic and rose above it to come out on top. I wish them the best.”

Valedictorians for the Class of 2020 were: Emily Tyree (gave speech), Trenton Daugherty, Autumn Jenkins, Dustin Johnson, Zachary Tutko, Braden Tichenor, Jordan Chambers, Makayla Dockery, Bailey Womack, Victoria Vitek, Trenton Stovall, Camryn Newland, Bailey Collins and Samantha Henderson.

“Being the top Valedictorian has made me realize that all my hard work and struggles have finally paid off. It was great to give the speech but I know there were some difficulties for people hearing it on the Facebook live,” said Emily Tyree. “I am definitely grateful for them trying their very best to give us a graduation ceremony experience but I will, along with others, be sad because we did not get to have a traditional one.“

“It was an amazing day. It was an honor to recognize every Senior! The way the ceremony was personalized made it even more special. I look forward to all of the great things the class of 2020 will do in the future,” said Scott Howard, Butler County Schools’ Superintendent. “Thank you to the students, parents, and all of our school family for making the ceremony so successful!”

“I honestly loved the graduation event,” said Camryn Newland, a Senior and a Valedectorian. “It felt super personalized and definitely something I’ll remember forever.”

BCHS Counselor Sherlyn Bratcher was one of many school officials who have worked diligently to recognize the Senior class amid all the pandemic restrictions.

"From the beginning of NTI, there were discussions on how we could celebrate this Senior class and how we could have a graduation while following the guidelines from KDE and CDC. All of the details and planning were to recognize the 13 years of each student's hard work and dedication,” said Bratcher. “It was our hope that on Saturday each Senior felt they had their moment. It was so rewarding to see how proud the family and friends in attendance were, as well as those on the Facebook Live stream."

Seniors were also recently recognized at a Honors’ Night ceremony for scholarship winners and for other certifications. Below is a partial list of winners.

-Butler County Education Association - Parker Rice

-Butler County Education Foundation ($500) - Dustin Johnson, Trenton Daugherty, and Taylor Burden

-Artie Hankins ($250) - Mattie Wells

-VFW Ladies Auxiliary - American Legion ($600) - Jessica Bruner

-DAR Good Citizenship - Annie Locke

-National Defense Committee - ROTC Medal - Breanna Gidcumb

-Ermie Lee Martin Scholarship - Camryn Newland

-Butler County DAR Scholarship - Emily Tyree

-Ruth West Memorial FCCLA Scholarship - Taylor Burden

-FCCLA Red Cross Scholarship - Grace Decker

-BCHS BETA Scholarship ($250) - Dustin Johnson

-Cooper Moore Memorial Nursing Scholarship - Kennedy Whitsell

-Morgantown Bank & Trust ($2500) - Dustin Johnson, Dawson Phelps and Emily Tyree

-Provo Rural Development Club - Mattie Wells, Hannah Chaney and Emily Tyree

Work Ethic Certified: Emily Tyree, MaLeigha Jones, Kennedy Whitsell, Haley Johnson, Autumn Jenkins, Dustin Johnson, Belmara Rafael Vargas, Zac Tutko, Braden Tichenor, Landon Cardwell, Haley Peach, Jordan Chambers, London Howard, Jacie Ward, Journey Hixenbaugh, Kaylee Wallace, Bailey Womack, Olivia Grace Decker, Bayleigh Alford, Victoria Vitek, Camryn Newland, Bailey Collins, Annie Locke, Ricki Brown, Mattie Wells, Angela Atkinson, Samantha Henderson, and Emily Grise.

Below is a list of all school and community members and groups who worked at the graduation event:

Superintendent Scott Howard

Adam Williams (and crew!)

BC Board Members

BC Maintenance Crew

BCHS Seniors and Parents

BCHS Staff Volunteers (& Custodians)

Brad Baize (BC Board Employee)

Deputy McIntosh & Deputy Childers

Donna Annis (BC Board Employee)

Firehouse Pizza

Kurt Flener Lawn Care