On a warm evening, Friday, May 19th, Lobo Stadium was packed with excited families as 507 members of the Longview High School Class of 2023 marched out onto the field with their caps and gowns representing all of their hard work over the last four years.
Senior Class President Kayden Ardisha Newhouse welcomed the crowd, thanking the love and support from the Lobo family and friends.
“I wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors. I know each and every one of you will be successful,” she said.
LHS Salutatorian Hannah Elisabeth McCrory expressed her excitement about the future and looking toward the exciting things it has in store.
"There is value in constantly striving to see the good both in ourselves and those around us," she said. "I want to challenge the Class of 2023, including myself, to truly see yourself and those around you. We are all someone's star and the light they look to in the darkness."
Class of 2023 Valedictorian Dina Yasser Zeid described this milestone as, "standing on the brink of a new chapter of our lives."
"We feel relieved and excited for the future, but also nostalgic about the memories. Our time at Longview High School has been filled with ups, downs, and everything in between," she said. " No one will take you seriously unless you know what you want and pick it. So, don't let anyone push you into a box. You're your own person, and take it from me, we've learned so much throughout our high school years."
"As we progress through life after high school, I wish the best for all of us. We, as a class, have accomplished great things, and I hope that we're all able to find success in our chosen paths. Thank you to all of our teachers, family, and friends. We wouldn't be up here without you."
LHS Principal Mr. James Brewer praised the graduates, saying that they entered high school "under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, but still battled through adversity and achieved so much success."
"Although I never say this class or that class is my favorite, I will always remember the Class of 2023 for their resilience in prevailing through the 'new normal" that seemed to change from one year to the next," he added.
With some offers still pending, scholarships total more than $5.6 million for over 500 seniors, according to Mrs. Kay Ray, Longview High School’s coordinator of college scholarships and financial aid.
The Top 2 percent of the Class of 2023 includes (in alphabetical order by last name): Luke Archer, Catherine Da Moude, Delia Fourie, Zoe Hightower, Abigail Hilton, Leilani Mercier, Lillian Purdum, and Carolina Rodriguez.
The Top 10 percent of the Class of 2023 includes (in alphabetical order by last name): Yudiel Aguirre, Mario Alchammas, Amirah Alexander, Nathan Bachtell, Alexander Beane, Julianna Benitez, Aaliyah Cade, Ryan Carmichael, Katelyn Clendenin, Henry Danielson, Madison Davidson, Rachel de Jong, Jefferson Dunaway, Luke Farr, Seth Fulton, Martin Guerrero, Benjamin Hatfield, Lane Healy, Christina Holder, Aniya Hopson, Reagan Hull, Angelica Jacquez, Zarrar Bin Junaid, Caroline Mason, Hailey Anahi Monsivais, Karen Navarro Gonzalez, Jax Norman, Elizabeth Ponder, Kathia Ramirez-Castillo, Reagan Rios, Irvin Rodriguez Castillo, Samuel Sherman, Jenna Shireman, Andrea Smith, Monica Sosa, Haven Still, Kyra Taylor, Jovanni Vazquez, Ashlynn Whatley, and Kolbi Wolford.
Dual-credit graduates who also earned their Associate's Degrees from Kilgore College (in alphabetical order by last name): Brianna Bravo, Aaliyah Tatianna Cade, Alexis Marie Civitarese, Leslie Esperansa Corona, Diana Dominguez, Karsyn Brooke Doxey, GeCamri Amberay Duffie, Mya Christine Frazier, Seth David Fulton, Carmen Anahi Gonzalez, Perla Yonai Gonzalez, Yadira Gonzalez-Andrade, C’Amor Monae Hall, Karina Garcia Hernandez, Angelica Marie Jacquez, Madison Denise Jones, Karen Janette Juarez, Kaycee Lewis, Diamond Tamera Love, Vicky Mancilla, Miranda Mejia, Andrew Ivan Najera, Kenia Otero, Ricardo Manuel Perez, Hailey Marie Pitman, Angel Alan Ramos, Wendy Nayeli Reyes-Hernandez, Ashley Rivera, Jayla Dedriell Robertson, Salaidh Rosalie Rudolph, Ivanna Solis, Monica Lizbeth Sosa, Aniah Khameil Stansell, Tya Danyielle Venters, and Tyler Jerome Woods.
The graduation ceremony was live-streamed via the Longview ISD YouTube and linked to the district social media pages for relatives unable to attend.