Alabama Ledger www.AlabamaLedger.com The Sports Ledger www.TheSportsLedger.com Cherokee County Class of 2025 PAGE 8B May/June 2025 Graduation
The Cherokee County High School Class of 2025 is set to graduate on Thursday May 22, 2025 at the Schools football stadium. A total of 98 students makes up this year's senior class, which is led by Valedictorian Athens Green. Athens is the son of Chad and Brandi Green. Throughout high school, he played varsity tennis, and was team captain his senior year. He is an active member of the Leo Club, Beta Club and FCA. He is a graduate of the National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT), Youth Leadership Cherokee, and The Youth Leadership Program. Athens is the Class of 2025 Class President. He was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" for Senior Who’s Who. Additionally, Athens is an active member of First Baptist Church Centre and has been active in the youth group, including the Youth Praise Band throughout high school. Athens is an Eagle Scout and has received the spirit of Auburn presidential scholarship and plans to attend Auburn University to pursue a degree in Engineering. The Cherokee County High School Class of 2025 Salutatorian is William "Will" Morgan. He is the son of Stephanie and Todd Morgan. William was a member of the Warriors track and field, soccer, and wrestling teams. He was a Beta Club member, and an FCA participant, and an active member of the Leo Club. William is a recipient of the Game Cock Tradition Scholarship and plans to attend JSU for nursing. The 2025 Historian for the Class of 2025 is Vivian Connell. She is the daughter of Trint and April Connell. During her time at Cherokee County she participated in volleyball, and basketball. She was a member of Beta Club President, Leo Club President, Senior Class Vice President, Alabama Girls State, FCA Leader, Youth Leadership Cherokee, member of First Baptist Church in Centre, Youth Praise and Worship Band, Book Club, and a Vocalist/Instrumentalist Vivian plans to attend the University of Alabama on a University of Alabama Prestige Scholarship, Alabama Girls State Representative Scholarship, and a University of Alabama Competitive Admissions Scholarship and major in Communicative Disorders to become a Speech-Language Pathologist The Cherokee County graduating Class of 2025 includes: Landyn Noah Blake Anthony, Mason Alexander Bailey, Ni’keyonna A’zorrah Barrington, Dawson Lee Bartlett, Aubrie Michelle Brock, Jonathan Taylor Brooks, Gavin Tate Brown, Tristan Wayne Brown, Daniel Breland Burton, Nathaniel Austin Butler, Joel Isaiah Buttermore, Antonio Marquez Cervantes, Kaden Lane Chaffee, Rakiyia Shanice Chambers, Anthony Kole Chandler, Emerson Josue Chavez-Bautista, Carson Daniel Chesnut, Vivian Kate Connell, Jacob Robert Griffin Cothran, Alexis Marie Crane, Gwenyth Alyssa Crane, Libby Ellis Curry, Hubert Randall Davis, Lauren Joe-Ann Davis, Rylan Marion Davis, Jonas Alexander DeBerry, Devlin Shane Decker, De’zantae Deundre Diamond, Samantha Eullene Dingler,
Valedictorian Athens Green
Salutatorian William Morgan
Historian Vivian Connell
Mia Claire Dodd, Samuel Patrick Dreps, Benjamin Banks Elsberry, Benjamin Wade Frampton, Kylie Ann Garmon, Athens Oliver Green, Caleb Jashun Harbour, Jaxon Parker Headrick, Ann-Marie Hill, Jack Truman Hill, Jayden Guy Hissom, Madisen Elise Holder, Landen Keith Hood, Colton Reid Hooper, Zachary Reece Houze, Taylor Autumn Howell, Joshua Zain Howell, Addison Faith Hynes, Reid Houston Jacoway, Demie Jo Johnson, Madison Shadowah Johnson, Daylin Jacob Kellett, Serenity Alexa Kirby, Andrew Jacob Ryan Leonard, Alivia Kim Loyd, Brett Ross Lynch, Caylin Darwinea Malone, Emily Nicole Marcum, Lauren Elizabeth Marlow, Andrew Lee McCullough, James Ian McDaniel, Matthew M Mercado, Clay Robert Christopher Monteith, Louis Corneilius Mooney, William Edward Morgan, Auburn Skylynn Mullins, Danner Jack Nicholson, Allie Elizabeth Peek, Brandon Dewayne Pierce, Cloei Ruthe Pledger, Benjamin Chase Raley, Landon Cole Ransum, Joseph Colin Rattray, Conner Hudson Reed, Alexander Cole Reynolds, Robert Thomas Rinker, Anthony Blake Roach, Owen Jullian Roach, Kaitlyn Leann Roberts, Gunnar Cade Rogers, Landon Jay Rollins, Troy James Sartin, Lilly Grace Shaw, Hannah Nicole Smith, Kurtis Ivan Soles, Ayden Bradlee Ethan Spires, Michael Joe Threet, Katelyn Grace Tierce, Carson Reed Tittle, Michael Levin Urizar, Canyon Taye Walsh, Joseph Christopher White, Kelsy Grace White, Aiden William Whitefield, Abby Kate Williams, Parker Wade Wilson, Tyson Janile Wood, Andrew Talan Young, and Luke Thomas Young. (NOTE: A Cherokee County Senior group photo was not available)
GSCC student overcomes odds to earn diploma and scholarship “There weren’t job opportunities for my
With her husband and children in the audience, Candida Pedro Aguirre proudly walked across the stage on May 1 to receive more than just her high school diploma — she received a second chance at a dream once deferred. Aguirre was honored at the Gadsden State Community College Adult Education Services graduation ceremony held in the Beck Gymnasium on the Wallace Drive Campus. Alongside 19 fellow students who earned their high school diplomas through the Non-traditional High School Diploma Option, Aguirre received a scholarship. She said this was a moment she never thought possible. “I was just amazed,” Aguirre said, reflecting on hearing her name called as the scholarship winner. “I went all week telling my husband it was going to be impossible for me to get the scholarship. I was so thankful when my name was called.” Aguirre’s journey began in San Rafael, Guatemala. In 2003, when she was just 7 years old, she and her brother immigrated to Alabama with their parents in search of a better life.
parents in Guatemala,” she said. “They wanted more for us. When we moved to Alabama, life was still hard, but it improved. My dad got a job in chicken processing, and now he works in a tool manufacturing plant in Rainbow City.” Aguirre enrolled at Gadsden City High School and during her junior year met Elias, who would become her husband. In 2012 during her senior year, she became pregnant with their first son, Eli. With no one to care for her newborn, Aguirre dropped out of school just three months shy of graduation. “I really didn’t have much of a choice,” she said. “No one could stay home and care for my child, so I left school.” She later had her second child, Aiden, in 2015, and her daughter, Zoe, in 2022. When Aiden started pre-K in 2019, Aguirre decided it was time to return to her education and work toward a GED. “At first, I thought it would be too hard,” she said. “I needed so many high school credits. It felt impossible.” But she didn’t give up. Learning she was eligible
Submitted Photo
for the Non-traditional High School Diploma Option because she had earned more than 10 credits from Gadsden City High School, Aguirre shifted her focus for the GED to a high school diploma. “I wanted to set an example for my children,” she said. “I wanted to show them that it’s never too late to reach their goals. I explained to them why I left school. They now understand that mistakes can be made; the wrong decisions can be made, but you can always go back and accomplish anything.”
She admitted that the road wasn’t easy. It took her six years to complete the program. Illness and loss of motivation forced her to take breaks. But one constant in her journey was the encouragement from Bonda Vance, an Adult Education Services instructor. “I didn’t think I could do it,” Aguirre said. “I was tired. I was not motivated. Then, she started sending me messages. She told me I could do it. She encouraged me to return to school. I loved getting those
messages. She made me believe I could do anything I set my mind to.” Hollie Patterson, director of Adult Education Services, said she and the employees at Gadsden State are proud of Aguirre for reaching this important milestone. “Earning her high school diploma takes dedication, courage and resilience,” she said. “She exemplifies all of these qualities. We are so honored to have supported her on this journey.” Now a high school graduate and scholarship
recipient, Aguirre is setting her sights on a career as a translator, a role she’s played informally since she was a child, helping her Spanish-speaking parents navigate life in the U.S. "I had to learn to translate for my parents,” she said. “They could not afford to pay for one, so I had to learn how to do it. Communication is so important, and I want to use my skills to help others.” The need for translators and interpreters is growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the field is expected to grow 20 percent by 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. In Alabama, where nearly 5 percent of residents speak a language other than English at home, trained interpreters play a vital role in schools, hospitals and community services. Aguirre hopes her story inspires others to take that first step. She plans to continue encouraging fellow adult learners to take advantage of the programs offered by Gadsden State’s Adult Education Services. “Don’t ever doubt yourself,” she said. “It’s never too late to start a career and accomplish all of your hopes and dreams.” For more information about Adult Education Services, visit www. GadsdenState.edu/AdultEd.
CONGRATULATIONS KARRSON RAY
Gaylesville High School Class of 2025 We are so proud of you! Love, Papa John and McDonna
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