AWM lauds 2017 honor grads

By Billy Woods

WM School District

Thirty-seven Academies of West Memphis seniors were recently lauded at the school's annual Academic Honors Banquet.

Valedictorians for the 357-member 2017 graduating AWM class are Joshua Foster, John Haney, Allison Nanney and Austin Sudbury. The salutatorians are Kyrus Rodgers and Jason Scott.

Other honor students include Mason Arnett, Triston Banks, Tatyana Barber, Luci Blanenship, Brittany Branstetter, Jarod Brown, Tykira Bullins, Ellie Busby, Teasia Carter, Rylee Elmore, Morgan Gardner, Shanel Gray, Michael Hinson, Raven Hinton, Madison Holmes, Ervin Jeffries, Parker Jennings, John David Kemp, Byron Kirkland, Jamea Macklin, Jaterria McClure, Norris Perry, Eva Pouncey, Kayla Robinson, Mason Smith, Rileigh Smith, Zakiah Smith, Hayden Spears, Kentarious Stewart, Lara Tarr, Jasmine Thomas, Amari Turner, Laylaa Watkins, Takiyah Wesley, Madilyn Wilkerson, Kecia Williams and Riley Young.

The evening was coordinated by AWM senior guidance counselor LaTarsha Johnson and the meal was catered by Melissa's Classic Catering. The closing speech was an inspiring message from AWM principal Gary Jackson.