2021’s best and brightest in Alfalfa County

Ten graduating seniors from Alfalfa County will be recognized by their respective schools for their outstanding scholastic achievement in being named valedictorian and salutatorian.

Cherokee High School has named five seniors as valedictorians. The CHS valedictorians this year are Kacie Eshleman, Jadin Hall, Jason Roach, Gaby Solis and Bridget Wilhite. DeLaynie Golden and Jade Jantzen were named salutatorian

Burlington High School named Alyssa Russell valedictorian this year, while Paden Allen was named salutatorian.

Timberlake High School has three valedictorian and two salutatorians this year, naming Summer Finney, Lindsay Olson and Hailey Phillips as valedictorians and Joel Pecha and Amaya Ullrich as salutatorian.

Aline-Cleo High School named Kayleigh Rauch as valedictorian and Leah Ramey as salutatorian.

Cherokee

Thirty seniors will receive diplomas from Cherokee.

Five students were selected as valedictorians and two as salutatorian for this class.

Kacie Eshleman

Kacie is the daughter of Troy and Christina Eshleman. Kacie is involved in FFA, basketball, FCCLA, FCA, One-Act and Speech and Debate.

Her honors include Superintendent’s Honor Roll, Valedictorian, FFA State Degree Academic Excellence Winner, Cherokee High School Honor Grad and National Society of High School Scholars.

Kacie plans to attend Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in animal science.

Jadin Hall

Jadin is the daughter of Greg and Rita Hall. Jadin is involved in SLC, BPA, FFA, FCCLA, track, cross country and basketball.

Her honors include Honors Student and Valedictorian.

Jadin plans to attend Sterling College and pursue a degree in biology and Christian ministry while playing basketball.

Jason Roach

Jason is the son of Chad and Jennifer Roach. Jason is involved in playing video games and tutoring.

His honors include Superintendent’s Honor Roll, Northwestern Oklahoma State University Honorable Mention Honor Roll, College Board National Recognition and Valedictorian.

Jason plans to attend Oklahoma State University and pursue a double major in computer and electrical engineering.

Gabriela Solis

Gabriela is the daughter of Jose and Franquy Solis. Gabriela is involved in softball, FCCLA, basketball and FFA as an officer.

Her honors include Valedictorian, All-Conference Softball 2018-2020, All-NW Oklahoma Slow Pitch Team, All-NW Oklahoma Fast Pitch Team Honorable Mention and Superintendent’s Honor Roll.

Gabriela plans to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in Chemistry and be a member of the softball team. She then plans to attend pharmacy school. 

Bridget Wilhite

Bridget is the daughter of Brian and Amber Wilhite. Bridget is involved in basketball, track, cheer, softball, FCCLA, FCA, Student Council, Rainbow, Girls Scout and State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister’s Student Advisory Board.

Her honors include Superintendent’s Honor Roll, Valedictorian, CHS Honor Grad, Cheer All-American Nominee, 8-Man All-Star Cheerleader, Basketball District Champions, Regional Track Champions, Pole Vault and 800 relay state qualifier and two mile relay state runner-up.

Bridget plans to attend Northwestern Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in nursing.

Delaynie Golden

Delaynie is the daughter of Josh and Jennifer Golden. Delaynie is involved in softball, cheer, FCCLA and FCA.

Her honors include Superintendent’s Honor Roll, All-Conference and Honorable Mention.

Delaynie plans to attend Northwestern Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in health and physical education while being on the cheer squad.

Jade Jantzen

Jade is the son of Greg and Cheryl Jantzen. Jade is involved in basketball, baseball, track, One-Act, speech, FFA and FCCLA.

His honors include 2017 and 2019 State One-Act Champion, 2018 State One-Act Runner-up, 2019 All-State Actor, Third at State in Pole Vault, Broke School Record in Pole Vault in 2019 and 2021.

Jade plans to begin his education at an undecided college and pursue a degree in nursing and be a member of the track and field team.

Burlington

Six seniors will be graduating from Burlington with one being valedictorian and three being salutatorians.

Alyssa Russell

Alyssa is the daughter of Rodney and Brenda Mustard. Russell is involved in FFA, FCA, robotics and vocal.

Her honors include Valedictorian, National Honor Society, Oklahoma Honor Society, Gifted and Talented Program, Superintendent’s Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance and Miss Burlington.

Alyssa plans to begin her education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in pharmacy.

Paden Allen

Paden is the son of Josh Allen and Jessica Allen. Paden is involved in STUCO, FCA, FFA, Basketball, Band, Vocal, Children’s Reading Mentoring and Driftwood Christian Church Youth.

His honors include Oklahoma Honors Society, Oklahoma Gifted Program, District Basketball Champions, Regional Basketball Champions, Swine Stock Show Participant for local, county and districts, Greenhand FFA Degree, Chapter FFA Degree, FFA Food Science, Creed Speaking, Chapter Proficiency Award, Community Service, Blood Drive volunteer  and donor, Mercy House Volunteer, Stamp Out Starvation, Driftwood Christian Church Community Caroling and Operation Christmas Child.

Paden plans to attend college and pursue a degree in radiology.

Timberlake

Fourteen seniors at Timberlake will receive their diplomas.

The class has three valedictorians and two salutatorians.

Summer Finney

Summer is the daugther of Shelby and Mindy Finney. Her activities include cheerleading, FCA, softball, member of First Baptist Church in Helena, 4-H and FCCLA.

Her honors include Valedictorian, 8 Man All-Star Cheerleader, Superintendent’s Honor Roll, Cherokee Strip All-Star Softball Player, Oklahoma Honors Society, Oklahoma 4-H Healthy Living Ambassador, National Honor Society, Alfalfa County 4-H Hall of Fame, Oklahoma History Test Hall of Fame Scholarship Winner and Alfalfa Electric Cooperative Essay Winner.

Summer plans to attend Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in fashion merchandising.

Lindsay Olson

Lindsay is the daughter of Jace and Donna Olson. Lindsay is involved in FCCLA, Upward Bound, Timberlake Ensemble, FCCLA Ensemble, United Methodist Church Youth Group and President’s Leadership Class at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Her honors include Oklahoma Honor Society, National Honor Society, OKMEA All-State Choir, OCDA All-State Treble Chair, WOCDA Choir, Superintendent’s Honor Roll and Valedictorian.

Lindsay plans to attend Northwestern Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in computer science.

Hailey Phillips

Hailey is the daughter of Shane Phillips and Melissa Phillips. Hailey is involved in FCCLA, Upward Bound and choir.

Her honors include Oklahoma Honor Society, National Honor Society and Valedictorian.

Hailey plans to attend Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Joel Pecha

Joel is the son of Lenny and Kelly Pecha. Joel is involved in  Student Council, FFA, Academic Team, Northwest Oklahoma Junior Rodeo, Oklahoma Junior Hereford Association and National Junior Hereford Association.

His honors include senior class president, Stuco vice-president, FFA president, NW Area Star in Ag Placement, Enid News & Eagle Outstanding FFA Student, VYPE Magazine FFA Spotlight student, State Winner in Beef Placement SAE, State Runner-up in Diversified Ag Placement SAE.

Joel plans to attend Northern Oklahoma College at Tonkawa and pursue a degree in animal science/ranch management while being a member of the livestock judging team and then transfer to Oklahoma State University.  

Amaya Ullrich

Amaya is the daughter of Kimberly Ullrich. Amaya is involved in basketball, slow pitch softball, FCA, FCCLA, Volunteer at Hope Center, started a canned food drive, hosted a Halloween Carnival and Oktoberfest.

Her honors include Salutatorian, Superintendent’s Honor Roll, National Honor Society and Top 25% of Class.

Amaya plans to attend college to study pre-dentistry and attending Autry Technology Center to pursue a degree in dental assisting. 

Aline-Cleo

Five seniors will receive their diplomas from Aline-Cleo.

There is one valedictorian and one salutatorian.

Kayleigh Rauch

Kayleigh is the daughter of Matt and Detra Rauch. Kayleigh is involved in BPA, yearbook, academic team and STUCO.

Her honors include NTHS, 5th in BPA State Economic Research Team, 6th BPA State Video Production Team, 5th BPA State Personal Financial Leteracy and Prom Queen.

Kayleigh plans to attend Northwestern Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in English.

Leah Ramey

Leah is the daughter of Leroy and Jamie Ramey. Leah is involved in softball, basketball, track, cheerleading, academics, STUCO and Gifted and Talented.

Her honors include Homecoming Queen, All Conference Softball Team, Principal Honor Roll and Superintendent Honor Roll.

Leah plans to attend Northwestern Oklahoma State University but is undecided on a major.