The Chandler’s eighth grade graduating class of 55 students was recognized in a ceremony Wednesday, May 23 in the school gymnasium.

The students entered the gymnasium to “Pomp and Circumstance,” and then Desirae Powell gave the Invocation.

Principal Elisa Beth Brown welcomed the graduates and their families and friends. Mrs. Brown then presented awards to the students who had obtained the highest average in various disciplines, including Chanler Steenbergen for Excellence in Science, Excellence in Math, and Excellence in Language Arts; Hunter Johnson for Excellence in Science and Excellence in Math; Ethan Brown in Excellence in Science; Breanna Ferguson for Excellence in Math; Cameron Scott for Excellence in Math; Elizabeth Vanzee for Excellence in Language Arts; and Brittany Carter for Excellence in Social Studies. The Art Award was given to Desirae Powell, while the award for Outstanding Achievement in Band went to Hunter Johnson.

The Athletic Awards went to Desirae Powell and Tristan Armstrong, while Hunter Johnson and Brittany Carter received the Citizenship Awards. Dalyn Chapman was presented the Pam Thomas Academic Team Award, which is given in honor of Pam Thomas’s commitment and service to the Academic Team during her teaching career at Chandler’s. Elizabeth Vanzee was recognized for perfect attendance.

Mrs. Brown then recognized 24 eighth graders who received the Presidential Award, which is given to students who had at least a 90 percent overall average and who were Proficient or Distinguished in at least one area on the annual state assessment. Kaylee Ashby, Hunter Bailey, Kira Binkley, Kirsten Binkley, Ethan Brown, Emma Cartas, Brittany Carter, Dalyn Chapman, Robert Cummings, Breanna Ferguson, Logan Houchens, Morgan Hunt, Hunter Johnson, Kirsten Matthews, Zach Peck, Desirae Powell, Sarah Ramsey, Cameron Scott, Carly Speck, Chanler Steenbergen, Kaitlyn Storms, Sarah Tinsley, Elizabeth Vanzee, and Michelle Watkins all accomplished this feat.

Mrs. Brown then had the 24 Honor students stand and be recognized for maintaining at least a 94 percent average overall during their seventh and eighth grade years combined. Kaylee Ashby, Hunter Bailey, Kira Binkley, Kirsten Binkley, Ethan Brown, Emma Cartas, Brittany Carter, Dalyn Chapman, Robert Cummings, Breanna Ferguson, Logan Houchens, Morgan Hunt, Hunter Johnson, Kirsten Matthews, Zach Peck, Desirae Powell, Sarah Ramsey, Cameron Scott, Carly Speck, Chanler Steenbergen, Kaitlyn Storms, Sarah Tinsley, Elizabeth Vanzee, and Michelle Watkins were recognized for their accomplishments.

The highest overall averages were recorded by Hunter Johnson, who was recognized as the Salutatorian and Chanler Steenbergen, who represented the class as Valedictorian.

Logan County Board of Education member and Chandler’s Representative Phil Baker, along with Mrs. Brown and Assistant Principal Caycee Spears, then presented diplomas to the following members of Chandler’s Class of 2012: Tristan Armstrong, Kaylee Ashby, Hunter Bailey, Bailey Barnett, Kira Binkley, Kirsten Binkley, Ethan Brown, Melissa Brown, Emma Cartas, Brittany Carter, Dalyn Chapman, Gerry Collard, Travis Collins, Shelby Creek, Kaitlyn Crowder, Robert Cummings, Breanna Ferguson, Kylee Gilliam, Harley Hess, Whitney Hildabrand, Chelsey Hopkins, Logan Houchens, Morgan Hunt, Hunter Johnson, Abby Lack, Andrew Lauterbach, Micah Lindsey, Kirsten Matthews, Haley Mayfield, Devin Mayhugh, Madisyn Newkirk, Keaton Oberhausen, Triston Oberhausen, Zach Peck, Cheyenne Poole, Desirae Powell, Saraha Ramsey, Andrea Raymer, Ethan Reinitz, Beahlie Richmond, Sebastian Rolett, Zach Runyan, Alec Russell, Russell Sayne, Cameron Scott, Zoey Shockley, Carly Speck, Chanler Steenbergen, Kaitlyn Storms, Jeramie Thompson, Matthew Tinsley, Sarah Tinsley, Elizabeth Vanzee, and Michelle Watkins.

Mrs. Brown commended the class members for the leadership and desire to learn they demonstrated throughout their years at Chandler’s.

The annual Aviles, Bush, Webb Scholarship was then awarded to graduating Logan County High School senior Joseph Faulkner, son of Robert and Carol Ann Faulkner. The scholarship, which is given to someone who plans to further his/her education in the fields of education, science, or technology, was set up to honor the memory of Debbie Bush, Frank Aviles, and Paulette Webb, three Chandler’s teachers who lost their lives in an automobile accident in September of 2000.

A slide show was then presented looking back on the graduating students in their younger years.

Graduate Kaylee Ashby then gave the Benediction.

Members of the Chandler’s faculty and staff would like to wish the best to the graduating class of 2012 in all of their future endeavors.