On Wednesday, June 9th, the Batesburg-Leesville High School Class of 2021 was honored with a special awards program at the Lexington County School District Three Fine Arts Center. Catherine Bedenbaugh was officially named as the Valedictorian of the senior class, ending her academic career in Lexington Three with a Grade Point Average of 5.132. She completed 21 Dual Enrollment College Courses, 1 Advanced Placement Course and 14 Honors Courses during her time at Batesburg-Leesville High School. Hannah Leaphart was named as Salutatorian, ranking second highest academically in the senior class with a Grade Point Average of 5.131. Hannah took 16 Dual Enrollment College Courses, 4 Advanced Placement Courses and 17 Honors Courses while at Batesburg-Leesville High School.
In addition, congratulations to the following students for completing their high school educational careers with a GPA of 3.95 or higher, thus earning themselves the designation of honor graduate:
Jarissa Adams
Aubrie Boehnke
Matthew Boozer
Walt Bryant
Michael Chatman
James Cogdill
Lagrimas Coleman
Emily Crapps
Ethan Davis
Caroline Fort
Bailey Jones
Emory Jones
Emily Leaphart
Kelsey Long
Jackson Lorick
Janet Martinez Munguia
Carlos Nolasco Madrid
Adrianna Oxner
Gabrielle Ridgeway
Karla Rodriguez Hernandez
Maggie Schneider
Kearstin Shealy
Drayton Sheppard
Harrison Smith
Morgan Spradley
Tabitha Swygert
Laura Torres
Miguel Torres-Huerta
Michelle Villaseca Balderas
Anthony Watanabe
Shaniah Wigfall
The Senior Awards Program was also attended by representatives from numerous community organizations who presented scholarships totaling more than $100,000 to members of the graduating class. In addition, seniors were also recognized for being a member of the Beta Club, being an AVID Program completer, and being a member of the Student Council, just to name a few of the other accolades.
B-L High School’s 101st Commencement Exercises are slated to take place on Saturday, June 12th at 9 am in Panther Stadium. There will be general admission (no tickets necessary) for family, friends and community members to attend. Attendees should follow social distancing guidelines and are encouraged to sit on both sides of the stadium (the home and visitor sides) as graduates will be seated facing the hill. The stadium gates will open at 8 am on the day of graduation.
In the event of inclement weather, the Commencement Exercises will be moved into the Lexington Three Fine Arts Center. Due to the limited seating capacity resulting from COVID-19 regulations, each graduate will be allotted two tickets to the event if it is moved indoors.
The event will be livestreamed regardless of its location on the Lexington County School District Three YouTube channel.