HAMLET — Cole Auditorium was filled with the promise of bright futures Thursday during Richmond Senior High School’s Academic Awards Ceremony.
An annual tradition to recognize Richmond Senior’s top academic students, family members, friends and members of Richmond County Schools’ Central Office staff and Board of Education joined in the celebration of the soon-to-be graduates.
Joyce McRae, who is concluding her first year as Richmond’s principal, offered insight to how one chapter in the students’ lives may be closing, but another one awaits.
“We are excited to host Richmond Senior High School’s 2025 Academic Awards Banquet,” McRae said. “It is our honor and privilege to recognize our students for their outstanding achievements. The awards presented tonight represent countless hours of hard work, perseverance, scholarship applications and essay writing.
“Many of the students who are being recognized tonight juggle academics, athletics, clubs, community service obligations, part-time jobs, dual enrollment classes and more.
“Congratulations on your well-earned recognition, students. Your commitment to excellence is inspiring. Tonight’s recognition marks the end of your high school career, but it also serves as a strong foundation for future accomplishments. We encourage you to continue to work hard and to use your talents to help others. Continue to strive for greatness, Raiders.”
Below are the recipients of Thursday’s scholarships, in order by how they were presented. Students’ names are listed alphabetically:
Future in Healthcare Scholarship: Addison O’Neal; Hanna Smith
Ed Ormsby Memorial Scholarship: Jonathan Glaze
Future in Education Scholarship: Jonathan Glaze
De’Marion Latrell Davis “Duna” Scholarship: Sa’Quanna Bostic; Javion Smith
Leak Street High School Alumni Scholarship: Addison O’Neal; Serenity Wall
RSHS 2024 Senate Scholarship: Kimberly Gibson
Rockingham Rotary Scholarship: Derek Jamison; Joseph Parsons
Jeremy Henson Memorial Scholarship: Aramiz Gil; Karley Simmons
Working for a Better Community Scholarship: Mattie Moss; Karley Simmons
Sheriff James Clemmons Scholarship: Meagan Harris
Delta Sigma Theta Scholarship: Jaidyn Brown
Craven Apiary Scholarship: Mia Green
Reginald Vance McEachin Memorial Scholarship: Jamyia Lindsey
Pee Dee Electric Cooperation Awareness Scholarship: Matthew Leggett; Addison O’Neal; Joseph Parsons; Karley Simmons
Jim Smart Foundation Scholarship: Aramiz Gil
Audrey Morgan Memorial Scholarship: MaKhia Burch
Christian Clothes Closet Scholarship: Kimberly Gibson; Karley Simmons
Haltiwanger/Williamson Memorial Scholarship: Christi Hinson; K’Mauri Morgan
Mary L. Quick Memorial Scholarship: Gavin Applewhite; Ava Edmondson; Mia Green; Christi Hinson; Jordan Jacobs; Matthew Leggett; Jamyia Lindsey; Hanna Smith; Nia Wilson
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Scholarship: Aramiz Gil
One Blood/HOSA Scholarship: Mia Green
Richmond County Farm Bureau Scholarship: Ella Munn; Joseph Parsons
Richmond County Education Foundation: Jonathan Glaze; Christi Hinson; Jayla Keeny
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship: Mia Green; Addison O’Neal; Hanna Smith
Aaliyah “LeLe” Jones Scholarship: Navada Mercado; K’Mauri Morgan
American Legion Oratorical Program: Marcus Henderson
Charles & Claudette Brownley Athletic Scholarship: Sa’Quanna Bostic; William West
National Beta Club Scholarship: Mia Green
People Helping People Scholarship: Aramiz Gil; Sharonda Henderson
Jalen A. David Scholarship: Shaniyah David; Jordan Jacobs
Malik Key’sean Ellerbe Scholarship: Sa’Quanna Bostic
Mountaire Farms Scholarship: Addison O’Neal
Miss Ogretis Wilson Performance Art Scholarship: Gavin Applewhite; Bailey Rheault
I Can Scholarship Foundation, Inc.: Jamyia Lindsey
Thomas H. & Mary H. Connor Leath Foundation Scholarship: Addison O’Neal; Madelynn Pearson; Alivia Webb
Collins-Crouch Memorial Scholarship: Mia Green
Golden Leaf Scholarship: Ava Edmondson
UNC Charlotte’s Levine Scholarship: Mia Green
Cole Foundation Scholarship: Ava Edmondson; Kimberly Gibson; Aramiz Gil; Mia Green; Madison Grimes; Matthew Leggett; Sarah Meacham; Cash Monroe; Mattie Moss; Addison O’Neal; Joseph Parsons; Hanna Smith; Alivia Webb; William West; Hunter Williams
Below are the recipients of Thursday’s academic awards and other recognitions, in order by how they were presented. Students’ names are listed alphabetically:
Chief Junior Marshals: Skyler Collins; Caroline Hinson
Junior Marshals: Brianna Bouldin; Summer Currie; Harley Davis; Laney Dawkins; Macyn Frye; Jason Gainey; Zoie Hill; Evan Hodges; Alexander Leon-Hernandez; Alexandra Matheson; Jason Medina; Robert Monroe; Christopher Nolan; Keonta Pegues; Jamesyn Quick; Jada Scott; Brandon Thrower; Koby Vazquez-Morales; Jacob Veach
RSHS Highest Senior ACT Award: Mia Green
Morehead-Cain Scholarship Nominee: Gavin Applewhite; Aramiz Gil; Mia Green; Hanna Smith
Senate Outstanding Leadership Award: Alivia Webb; Nevaeh Young
Beta Club Leadership Award: Mia Green
Beta Club Service Award: Jonathan Glaze
Outstanding Senior Math Student: Joseph Parsons
Outstanding Senior English Student: Madelynn Pearson
Outstanding Senior Social Studies Student: Ava Thompson
Outstanding Senior Science Student: John Puckett
Cum Laude Award: Kynice Bailey; Ava Edmondson; Kimberly Gibson; Taeyona Harrington; Karma Lindsay; Leela Lockey; Noleigh Locklear; Jaden Oliver; Payton Powell; Jason Robinson; Lincoln Smith; Landon Summerlin; Anayely Zapata-Morales
Magna Cum Laude Award: Gavin Applewhite; Aramiz Gil; Madison Grimes; Brandon Kiser; Matthew Leggett; Jamyia Lindsey; Gracie McRae; Sarah Meacham; Cash Monroe; Mattie Moss; Jordan Odom; Joseph Parsons; Madelynn Pearson; Landon Taylor; Alivia Webb
Summa Cum Laude Award: Mia Green; Addison O’Neal; Hanna Smith; Ava Thompson; William West
Distinguished Service Award: Matthew Leggett
RSHS Principal’s Award for All-Around Excellence: Caleb Blake; Jonathan Glaze; Ava Thompson
All photos contributed by Gavin Smith, a RSHS junior and yearbook staff member.
