Here we are again! It feels just like a few weeks ago it was August, and we were showing the incoming freshmen where their classes were. Now, the halls of Tahlequah High School are buzzing with the excitement of the end of another school year and a hint of senioritis.
For our seniors, this feeling is amplified tenfold. Graduation, an occasion that marks the culmination of years of hard work, late-night study sessions fueled by questionable amounts of caffeine, and countless memories made within these walls, will commence at 2pm on Sunday, May 18th. This year, we’re incredibly proud to have Dulce Melo leading the Class of 2025 as our valedictorian. Right beside her is our salutatorian, Joe Enlow. Rounding out the rest of our top ten, in order, are: Aulton Childers, Caleb Burba, Miley Boydstun, Jace Wagner, Gracie Parish, Jennifer Cruz-Perez, Noah Taylor, and Neida Landaverde.
But it’s not just the seniors feeling the pressure. For the rest of the student body, the sprint to the finish line involves navigating the treacherous waters of final grades and semester tests. We’re all pushing ourselves to finish strong, to make these last few weeks count.
Amidst all the end-of-year frenzy, it’s important to take a moment to recognize the incredible individuals who make Tahlequah High School such a special place. We are blessed with great staff at THS and one of those staff members that stands out is our site Teacher of the Year, Coach Gary McClure. He has a passion for teaching and coaching that is evident in how he runs his classroom and his interactions with his students. He has made a profound impact on countless lives; mine included. Congratulations, Coach McClure!
We also bid a fond farewell this year to special care paraprofessional, Melonie Carstensen, who is retiring after over six years of dedicated service to THS. We’ll miss her warm smile and her willingness to always lend a hand. We wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement.
There’s excitement for summer break, for the freedom and relaxation that awaits. But there’s also a tinge of sadness, a bittersweet feeling that comes with the closing of another chapter. Tahlequah High School is more than just a building; it’s a community, a place where we’ve grown, learned, and forged friendships that will last a lifetime.
So, as we enter these final weeks, let’s make the most of them. Let’s support our athletes as they enter the playoffs, root for our robotics team in the world competition, encourage our FFA students at the state convention, ace those tests, celebrate our graduating seniors, and thank the incredible teachers and staff who guide us. The end is near, Tigers, but the memories we’ve made here will stay with us long after that final bell rings.
Mark Jordan THS Assistant Principal