To the class of 2020; you did it. Despite the hard left turn life took this year, you did it. It may have been at your parents’ kitchen table through Zoom meetings and group chats, but you did it. You became a part of history this year. “The Class of 2020: Quarantined” as many have put it. This year has brought devastation, loss, and uncertainty on a global scale. It may feel frivolous to grieve the loss of your once in a life time, coming of age experiences, some of them four years in the making while the world around you seemingly crashes. This isn’t so. Graduation is a big deal. Why else would it be celebrated with “pomp and circumstance?” Graduation day is meant to be a distinct moment in your life, as it has been for countless others in the past.
This was supposed to be your year, too. The year you crossed that stage, accepted that diploma, and became a graduate. You were supposed to be having senior trips and awards ceremonies. You were supposed to be sharing slices of cake with your closest friends and family, who held a party just to celebrate you. It was supposed to be the time of your life, the best summer you ever had was coming, free from school and whimsically transitioning into adulthood. It seems everything has been left up for question. What if? What now?
Many have lost their jobs, their savings, or perhaps their plans for the future. Families across the world are grieving the loss of stability, and yes, the loss of loved ones. This season has been hard for you too. While a pandemic is reshaping humanity itself, you are watching and living it in real-time alongside the rest of the world. This alone should be a testament to your resilience. Graduation is going to look quite different this year. Never before have people driven up to get their diplomas, staggered by name and time, or walked in a socially-distanced parade. Regardless of how your ceremony may look this year, you are celebrated. The community and world around you see you and your accomplishments. Not only did you graduate after thirteen years of hard work, you graduated during a major historical event. That was you, a major part of history.
Life will take you many directions, that you have quickly learned this year. You will go beyond high school into adulthood, college, or wherever else life whisks you away to. Life may look more different than it ever has before, and it may look different for a long time. You will persevere, conquer, and thrive. You will learn lessons about life that you would have never learned in school. You will learn so much about yourself beyond your academic achievements. You will learn who you are, and you will make life yours as this season shapes you into the person you will someday become. To the students in Coffee County, your community is so proud of you. We here at Coffee County News, are so proud of you. What an honor it is to serve a resilient community full of what we think are the best people around.
Coffee County News took submissions from friends and family members of the graduating class of 2020, to showcase our community’s amazing seniors. Below you will find photos sent in by family members who are so proud of your accomplishments, class of 2020. Not every senior in Coffee County is pictured, but from every single one of us at Coffee County News, we congratulate every last one of you, over 600 of you, on your success, determination, and resilience.
Sawyer Blayne Vaughn. Coffee County Central High School. Sawyer is a Student Government Association Member, a member of DECA and a DECA State Delegate. “Congratulations on your many accomplishments! We love you BIG!” -Daddy, Mama, and Silas
Salem Smith. Coffee County Central High School. “We are very proud of all your hard work this year. We love you!”
Keelie Shea Hillis. Coffee County Central High School. “We are so proud of you! We love you!” -Mom, Benji, and Danni
Samuel Workman. Coffee County Central High School. “Congratulations to my My Class of 2020 senior, Samuel Workman. Your achievements surpass what I could even begin to list. Lukas and I are beyond proud of you and know that you will not only pursue your dreams with all your heart, but succeed. We love you for forever and a day!”
Elizabeth Proffitt. Coffee County Central High School. Elizabeth is Class President and will be presenting a speech at graduation. “We are so proud of you! You will love the University of Alabama.” -Mom, Dad, and Hayden
Amanda Mukai. Coffee County Central High School, top 10%. “Amanda, we are so incredibly proud of you! Top 10% in your class. Chosen by teachers as an Outstanding Senior. CHS Volleyball record breaker. You’re such an extraordinary & beautiful daughter that God blessed us with. May all your dreams come true. We love you so much!” -Mom and Dad
Kyle Earl Lusk. Coffee County Central High School. “We are very proud of all your accomplishments. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you. You are going to do amazing things. We love you with all our hearts.” -Mom, Dad, and Granny
Camren Berry. Tullahoma High School. “You did it son, congratulations! I am so very proud of you, and can’t wait to see what your future holds! I love you.” -Mom
Brayden Rigsby. Coffee County Central High School. “Congratulations! We are very proud of you!” -Love Mom and Dad.
Ben Fulton. Tullahoma High School. Ben will be attending Cumberland University on a basketball scholarship. “We are so proud of you for all you accomplishments. The best is yet to come.” -Mom, Dad, Ellyn, Aaron, and Anna
Katherine Phillips. Tullahoma High School. “Katherine We’re very proud of you very proudly you!! Now it’s time to go for your dreams we love you. Love always, your family.”
Avery Elizabeth Whitsett. Coffee County Central High School. Avery plans to attend Motlow State Community College and pursue a degree in nursing.
Hanna Brock. Coffee County Central High School, top 10%. Hanna will attend Trevecca in the fall, and plans to major in mathematics and minor in music. “Hanna is a Christian young lady who loves life. She loves to sing, dance, write, paint, and most of all please others. She has always been a social butterfly. As Hanna’s parents, we could not be more proud of the young lady she has become. Time to spread your wings and chase your dreams baby girl. We love you more than you will ever know.” -Mom and Dad
Douglas Cade Pittman. Coffee County Central High School. Cade was voted as “Most Passionate Male” for senior superlatives. “We are very proud of you and love you very much! Congratulations!” -Dad, Mom, Colt, and Kassi
Karson Strite. Tullahoma High School. Son of Suzanne Strite Hammox and Jimmy Strite. “We are extremely proud of the you man you have become and what lies ahead of you for a promising future. We love you more than you know and are here for you now and every step you take in to your bright future.” -Love, Mama and Dad, Kelsey, Kaleb, Kane, Gra and Pa, Haley, Jeff, Harrison, Uncle Kenny and Aunt Karin, Rebekka, Isaak, and the rest of your entire family. “We love you, Kar!”
Chad McCoy. Coffee County Central High School. Chad will attend Motlow in the fall, and pursue a degree in Pediatrics. “We are so proud of him. Love you, Chad!” -Mom, Dad, and Kyle
Brantley-Claire Anderson. Tullahoma High School. Congratulations!
Hannah Thomas. Coffee County Central High School. “We are so proud of you, and love you very much.” -Mama, Scotty, and Mackenzie
Shelby Fay Brewer. Coffee County Central High School. “The world is yours sweet girl. We are so extremely proud of you and the wonderful woman you have become. We love you so very much!” -Mom, Dad, Ethan, Kendal, Colton, and Bailey.
Jordan Majors. Coffee County Central High School. “Congratulations son we are so proud of you.” -Love always Mom, Andy and Wyatt
Caitlyn Dawn Haley. Coffee County Central High School. Caitlyn plans to attend Motlow in the fall. “We are so proud of you! Stay yourself and always put God first! We love you so much!!” -Love, Mama & Greg
Nathan Alexander Taylor. Central Christian Academy. “We are so proud of you.” -Love, Mama, Hunter, Grandma, and Grandpa.
Hayden Cole Jacobs. Coffee County Central High School. Hayden plans to pursue a career in law enforcement and obtain a degree in criminal justice from Cleveland State. “We are so proud of you for always pursuing your dreams! We love you!” -Love, Dad, Mom, and Hallie
Andrea Sherrill. Coffee County Central High School. Andrea is very active in JRROTC at CCCHS. She has been accepted to Norwich University in Vermont with a great scholarship. She will study cyber security and information assurance with computer forensics. “We are very proud of this young lady she has worked so hard to get where she is going! We love you Andrea.” -Mom, Dad, and Tyler
Autumn Amber Henley. Coffee County Central High School. Autumn plans to attend MTSU for Pre-Veterinary Medicine. “Congratulations! We are so incredibly proud of you! Don’t stop chasing your dreams! Lots of love, your entire family!”
Nicole Whitt. Coffee County Central High School. “We are very proud of what she has accomplished while in high school and we wish her only the best on her goal of being a chef. You haven’t let Crohn’s slow you down, don’t let anything else try to slow you down either.” -Love always, Mom and Dad
MacKenzie Craig. Coffee County Central High School. “We are so proud of you. Keep your head high, dreams higher and you can do anything.” -Love, Mom, Dad, Bailee, and Josh
Zackary Milan. Coffee County Central High School. “We are so proud of the young man you have become. Your hard work and dedication you have shown to attain your goals has paid off. We look forward to watching you succeed in this next chapter of your life both academically and on the baseball field at Cumberland. Sky’s the limit and never give up! We love you BIG!”
Kendale Rachelle James. St. Andrews-Sewanee School. “Spread your wings and go change the world! We love you and are tremendously proud of you.” -Dad, Mom, and Kayson.
Kayla Ferrell. Coffee County Central High School. “Kayla we are so proud of you and all your accomplishments over the years. You’ve made us so proud and we know you’ll do bright things with your future and be the best registered nurse you can be!” -Love, Mom, Dad, Nanny, and Grandpa
Allison Roberts. Coffee County Central High School. Clubs: HOSA JRROTC. Allie will be attending Virginia Tech to major in chemistry, and has been accepted in to the Corps of Cadets. She also has plans to join the Army as an officer after completion of her degree. “We are so very proud of you! You have accomplished so much, we are excited to see what the future holds for you!”
Carlee Sullivan. Coffee County Central High School. “Carlee Danielle Sullivan we are so very proud of you! Love you so much!
Trava-Jo Brown. Coffee County Central High School. “We are all so proud of you. Love you!” -Mom, Dad, and Grandma
Laura Bogard. Coffee County Central High School. “We are all so proud of you.” -Tan, Dad, and Grand
Allison Danielle Vaughan. Allison will attend Tennessee Tech University for mechanical engineering. She is an honors student and has completed 12 college courses through Motlow State Community College. She was a member of SkillsUSA and placed 2nd and 4th place in 2 competitions. “Allison, we are so proud of you, I pray that you keep your eyes looking up to God so that you can keep going forward for your goals in life. Remember with God anything is possible. We love you.” -Momma and Stephen
Karie Grace Wooten. Coffee County Central High School. Karie will be attending the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga in the Fall. “I am so very proud of the young woman you have become and I can’t wait to see where life takes you. You never seize to amaze me. I love you more than you will ever know.” -Love, Mom
Hudson Atcheson. Coffee County Central High School. “We are so unbelievably proud of you. I cannot wait to see where the open doors take you. You graduated early, which was awesome. You kicked butt. We all love you and you’ll always be my baby.” -Love, Chris, Momma, Meme, Papa, Mawmaw, Emma, and Carson
Sarah West. Coffee County Central High School. Sarah will be attending the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, KY on an athletic scholarship. She will continue her career playing softball while majoring in Biology with an emphasis in Pre-Veterinarian Medicine. Her future career goal is to become a veterinarian, specializing in working with large animals.
Alexis Savannah Holliday. Coffee County Central High School. Alexis is graduating with honors. “Always striving to put forth her best while continuing to be there for others, she remains dedicated to her path for the future. She participated in the nursing and CNA program while at CCCHS. With a heart of gold and a desire to serve others in her community, She was awarded Scholarship for her work assisting the Red Cross to host 2 Blood Drives in Coffee County during the school year, with the 3rd Upcoming Drive on July 2nd, 2020. (Please feel free to reach out to her about how you can help save a life. Just one blood donation goes to help 3 people in need) Lexi was accepted to Tennessee Tech University and looks forward to attending TCAT this fall. We are super proud of our Senior Grad, Class of 2020 and all of her academic accomplishments throughout these years. Looking forward to watch her continue to grow. Bright future awaits.” -From loving father and step-mom Chris and Terri Holliday, “Along with her two bouncing Bubbies”, Reagan James and Finn River. “We love you!”
Joseph Hosea. Joseph will attend Motlow this fall and was an active member of AFJROTC. His family is very proud of his accomplishments.
Keiandra “Kiwi” Seals. Tullahoma High School. Keiandra was a member of journalism and yearbook clubs, a Lady Wildcats Softball pitcher and infield player. She is also in the National Society of High School Scholars. Keiandra will also be a pitcher for Team USA in Barcelona in 2021, and will attend Motlow in the fall. “Congratulations Kiwi” -Love, Dad, Mom, and Karisha.
Brooke Sanders. Coffee County Central High School. “Brooke is an energetic, kind-hearted gal who would do anything possible for a friend.
She has been active in color guard, band, choir, and theatre.
She will be attending Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville this fall.”
Cyndal LaShay Inez Meeks. Coffee County Central High School. “Lilli & I are so proud of you! You are my sunshine! I know you will do great things in this world. Always shine bright Baby Girl!” -Momma
Tullahoma High School Principal, Kathy Rose, states to the class of 2020, “It’s been a tough year for our seniors. I know they are disappointed at how the year finished. This is my last year, and I’m disappointed too. No one ever imagined anything like this. I certainly didn’t. But my hope is that the Class of 2020 comes through this, most importantly, healthy. It’s a different world they are heading into now, but I’m confident they have the skills and resilience to push on to live out their future plans.”
Coffee County Central High School Principal, Paul Parsley, speaks with his students currently and states they already have an estimated 300 seniors committed to participating in the Parade of Graduates. Parsley will give a senior address at the event, which will be radio broadcast and live-streamed in conjunction with the parade.
Coffee County News thanks everyone who participated and submitted their graduates to us. We are proud of all the graduates across Coffee County. Congratulations, seniors! We wish you the best!