Senior honors night held on May 18
With graduation being four days away, Cedar Shoals High School hosted its annual senior honors night on May 18, celebrating honor graduates, scholarship recipients and announcing the class of 2026’s valedictorian and salutatorian.
Christopher Koch earned the title of valedictorian with Chizoba Emegwam as salutatorian. Both Koch and Emegwam will be attending the Georgia Institute of Technology, with Koch majoring in mechanical engineering and Emegwam majoring in biology.
Koch feels like all his hard work and dedication throughout high school has finally paid off.
“It feels like over my years here at (Cedar Shoals) it’s been like climbing a mountain, but I finally reached the peak of the mountain, so it’s nice to know that all the hard work I’ve put in these years have actually accumulated into this big honor,” Koch said.
Multiple seniors were awarded scholarships from organizations around the community and nationally. Amy Ochaeta-Hernandez was awarded the Winterville Civilian Howard Parnish Memorial Scholarship, Gabrielle Odister was selected for the Dr. Beverly Harper JJ Harris Alumni Scholarship and Derriana Smith was recognized as a 2026 Gates Scholarship recipient
“After last night’s honor night, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and pride. It was a reminder that all the hard work I’ve put in, not only this year while applying for scholarships, but throughout my entire experience at Cedar Shoals, had truly paid off. To me, these scholarships represent more than just financial support,” Smith said.
