Class of 2023 graduates at Copper Basin High

  • Graduates wait patiently for their names to be called during the ceremony at Copper Basin High School Thursday, May 18. Principal Holly Smith encouraged the graduates to “Stand firm for what you believe and never lose confidence.”
    Graduates wait patiently for their names to be called during the ceremony at Copper Basin High School Thursday, May 18. Principal Holly Smith encouraged the graduates to “Stand firm for what you believe and never lose confidence.”
  • The Copper Basin High School band performed during the graduation ceremony Thursday night, May 18, on the high school football field. The stands were packed with family and friends celebrating the occasion.
    The Copper Basin High School band performed during the graduation ceremony Thursday night, May 18, on the high school football field. The stands were packed with family and friends celebrating the occasion.
  • Valedictorian Sapporiah Ross gave an inspirational message during the graduation ceremony.
    Valedictorian Sapporiah Ross gave an inspirational message during the graduation ceremony.
  • Destiny Pittman and Krus Soto wait to receive their high school diplomas.
    Destiny Pittman and Krus Soto wait to receive their high school diplomas.
  • Alyssa Payne gets a big hug from Zulma Youngs.
    Alyssa Payne gets a big hug from Zulma Youngs.

    Copper Basin High School Principal Holly Smith encouraged graduates to, “Stand firm for what you believe and never lose confidence.”

    Smith made the remarks as she spoke to Class of 2023 during a graduation ceremony Thursday, May 18.

    Smith warned graduates, “Your journey won’t be easy...what defines you is how you respond.”

    She encourage graduates to never be afraid of failure, but to push forward and learn from their journey.

    Class Salutatorian Isabella Brown told her classmates graduation day is “an amazing day, one of celebration. While it’s maybe the end of one story, it’s the start of another.”

    Sapporiah Ross, the class valedictorian, told how the staff at Copper Basin “treat us like we are family.”

    She recounted her high school years, speaking of ups and downs, but, “Behind every obstacle God strengthened my shield to prepare me.”

    Both students recounted many memories of their high school years and what friends and teachers had contributed.

    Smith recognized the Copper Basin Honor Graduates for having taken upper level classes in English, Math and Science and earning a 90+ grade average throughout high school. Achieving that mark were:

    Krus Soto, Destiny Pittman, Matthew Hickey, Sapporiah Ross, Isabella Brown, Ethan Butler,

    Elijah Smith, Isaac Deal, Ross Stillwell, Samuel Hyatt, Ian Phillips and Makenna Miles.

    Isaac Deal, Matthew Hickey and Destiny Pittman were also recognized for having achieved Tennessee Honors. These honors recognize graduates who score at or above the readiness benchmarks on the ACT.

    State distinction graduates were recognized for earning a national and/or state industry certification, attaining a score or 31 or higher composite score on the ACT or SAT equivalent, or earning 12 or more semester hours of transcripted post secondary credit.

    Students earning the state distinction honor were Isabella Brown, Madison Cochran, Matthew Hickey, Kaven Jory, Ian Phillips, Elijah Smith, Hunter Walden and Mary Beth Wells.

    Isabella Brown and Elijah Smith received Tri-Star Scholar Recognition Awards for earning a composite score of 19 or higher on the ACT or equivalent on the SAT and a Capstone Industry Certification.

    Brooke Biggs was recognized at Copper Basin’s Teacher of the Year.