Under Less Than Perfect Circumstances, the 2020 Graduation Is a Success
May 29, 2002 Evensville, TN -- Rhea County High School students had to wait a little longer than normal, but in the end, despite a different arrangement on the field and limitations and restrictions in the stands, they had a beautiful graduation on a beautiful night. With the mountains in the backdrop the long awaited graduation went without a hitch and weather was very nice, after a little heat early in the evening. The sunset was so beautiful and students were very happy to get a chance to graduate in person, in front of friends and family. For those unable to attend, there was a youtube video live broadcast to watch. The community and students have to appreciate the hard work and dedication that made this graduation possible. Over 300 seniors walked the stage to receive their diploma as they maintained proper social distancing. The night began with Rhea County High School JROTC presenting colors. Ashley Walker led the pledge to the flag. Director of Rhea County Schools Jerry Levengood greeted the crowd. Cristine Moore gave a very moving speech to students as the Salutatorian of the class of 2020. Outgoing Principal Jesse Messimer, who is moving up to an Assistant Dirctor of Schools position gave the commencement address. Faculty award was given by assistant principal Heather Jewell to Zachary Barnett and the assistant principal Shelia Massengill recognized the perfect attendance students in the student body. Students with perfect attendance were Lauren Madeline Summers(9th through 12th grade) and Sylvia Alicia Castanon-Diaz(first through 12th grade). Massengill also recognized the top 10 academic award winners. Those were from 10 to 1; Saeri Grace Goins, Madilyn Sophia Martinez, Jonathan Noah Keur, Ashley Rose Walker, Mallory Paige Hampton, Bradley Chase Goodwin, Kayli Marie Gunter, Madison Rae Smith, Cristine Victoria Moore and Elijah Daniel Boles. Retiring teachrs were announced for 2020. The seven teachers were; Sandra Bowman, Valerie Cannon, Theresa Faulkner, Coach Steffan Holder, David Giesel, Chief Lois Walling Mathis and Tim Tippett. Class valedictorian Elijah Boles gave the a very nice speech before the presentation of diplomas. Students lines up on their marks, 6 feet apart and crossed the stage to receive their diploma and posed for pics as family and friends watched from both home and visiting stands. Capacity was reduced to 2800-3400(about 1/3 of normal) with appropriate spacing due to covid-19 limitation. Two huge big screens were in place for viewing. After the distribution of diplomas, principal Jesse Messimer did the presentation of graduates. Next came the turning of tassels and the celebratory tossing of caps. Highlighted names of students who did not walk the stage to receive diploma.| RCHS Class of 2020 Graduates | ||
| First Name | Middle Name | Last Name |
| Ashley | Jennel | Adams |
| Madilyn | Elizabeth Dean | Adams |
| Damian | Layton | Akers |
| Harmony | Judith | Akin |
| Avery | Scholze | Alday |
| Jacob | Charles | Allen |
| Caleb | Michael | Arnold |
| Natalie | Louise | Baker |
| Aaron | Kyler | Ballard |
| MaleeKate | Rian | Ballard |
| Noah | Jacob | Ballard |
| Zachary | David | Barnett |
| Christopher | Blake | Benton |
| James | Clark | Binkley Jr |
| Addison | Dailee | Blackburn |
| James | Gavin Cole | Blaylock |
| Elijah | Daniel | Boles |
| Michael | Lynn | Boles Jr |
| Austin | Michael | Boofer |
| Ireland | Frances Pearl | Bower |
| Tianna | Ashea | Bowerman |
| Austin | Caleb | Bradley |
| Hunter | Ray | Brady |
| Robert | Thomas | Brady |
| Marlee | Beth | Breeding |
| Bryson | Keith | Brown |
| Chelsey | Marie | Brown |
| Selena | Ann | Brown |
| Crista | June | Brumberlow |
| Cherish | Nicole | Buckner |
| Lillie | Beth | Burlingame |
| Jonah | O'Neal | Butler |
| John | Isaac | Calbaugh |
| Haley | Brooke | Cameron |
| MaKenle | Grace | Campbell |
| Addison | Grace | Cannon |
| Kyle | Thomas | Carr |
| Dallas | Mateo | Carter |
| Robert | Cannon | Carter |
| Luis | Alberto | Castaneda |
| Sylvia | Alicia | Castanon-Diaz |
| Saul | Chacon-Ochoa | |
| Isaiah | Malin | Cissell |
| Katlyn | Michelle | Clabough |
| Adam | Gabriel | Clark |
| Bradley | Hunter | Clark |
| Christopher | Logan | Clark |
| Chance | Christopher | Claypool |
| Amber | Nicole | Cloutier |
| Kristen | LeAnn | Coley |
| Robert | Austin | Congioloso |
| Hailey | Alexa | Corvin |
| Destiny | Paige | Couch |
| Erin | Moira | Couch |
| Taylor | Hunter | Cowley |
| Alisha | Stephanie | Cox |
| Nicholas | Ray | Creasman |
| Timothy | Micheal | Creasman |
| James | John Rhys | Crespo |
| Dillan | Steven | Crisp |
| Mark | Coby | Crump |
| Trinity | Lorene | Curl |
| Gavin | Steven | Curtin |
| Cody | Benson | Curtis |
| Rachel | Rae | Davenport |
| Landon | Jeremiah | Davidson |
| Cassandra | Hope | Davis |
| Jacob | Allen | Davis |
| Kira | Jade | Davis |
| Chennar | De Pena Silva | |
| Hannah | Shyanne | Deakins |
| Pablo | Alberto | Del Rio |
| Maggie | Jewell | Dodson |
| Benjamin | Gregory | Doonis |
| Molly | Nicole | Duckett |
| Shailin | Nicole | Dugger |
| Georgia | Mae | Edwards |
| Ryan | Walter | Ellis |
| Austin | Lee | Elsea |
| Dustin | James | Emmons |
| Malynda | Sue | Emmons |
| Anthony | James | England Jr |
| Emily | Anne | Evans |
| Jacob | Riley | Evans |
| Heaven | Leigh | Farmer |
| Angel | Lynn | Fenwick |
| Morgan | Leigh | Fine |
| Austin | Dewayne | Flynn |
| Jacob | Donald | Ford |
| Brooks | Allen | Francisco |
| Brandon | Lee | Frazier |
| Wesley | Antonio -Tomas | Freeman |
| Jonah | Martin | Gardenhire |
| Jacob | Tanner | Gardner |
| Kolby | Wade | Garrett |
| Bailey | Michele | Garrison |
| Easton | Grant | Garrison |
| Allyson | Faith | Gentry |
| Savannah | Nicole | Gilreath |
| Saeri | Grace | Goins |
| Travis | Jared | Goins |
| Armando | Gomez | |
| Bradley | Chase | Goodwin |
| Christian | Taylor | Green |
| Aubrey | Grace | Guinn |
| Kayli | Marie | Gunter |
| Bryce | Allen | Gurley |
| Clayton | Edward | Guthrie |
| Zackery | Arnold | Haggart |
| Alyssa | Nykole | Hagler |
| Caleb | William | Haid |
| Ethan | Connor | Hailey |
| Alexander | Todd | Hake |
| Isebella | Paige | Hale |
| Lynsey | Brooke | Hall |
| Mallory | Paige | Hampton |
| Mary | Katherine | Harris |
| Emily | Lisette | Harrison |
| Jordan | Elizabeth | Hartman |
| Christopher | Blake | Harvey |
| Ethan | Scott | Hatcher |
| Dana | Marie | Headlee |
| Micah | Allen | Headlee |
| Meleah | Alyssa | Heightchew |
| Julia | Denise | Henderson |
| Dasha | Sheyenne | Hernandez |
| Philip | Shappley | Herrin |
| Keeley | Shay | Hickman |
| Major | Lewis | Hickman |
| Caleb | Hunter | Hill |
| Kyle | Joseph | Hitchcock |
| Ashton | Cole | Hoffman |
| Emma | Loren | Holloway |
| Salvador | Jose | Holquin |
| Alexander | Lamar | Hood |
| Hailee | Alyssa | Hopkins |
| Charlie | Evannah | Howard |
| Adriana | Hope | Hubbard |
| Dawson | Bradley | Hufstetler |
| Hannah | Justine | Human |
| Destiny | Faith | Hyslop |
| Brandon | Scott | Iles |
| Madysen | Paige | Iles |
| Paola | Insauste Marin | |
| Aaron | Cole | Jackson |
| Gracie | Ann | Jackson |
| Javier | Jaimes Villagomez | |
| Laysia | Sydney | Jenkins |
| Braden | Cole | Jewell |
| Hannah | Sue | Johanson |
| Lauren | Faith | Johnson |
| Lindsey | Kathryn | Jolley |
| Mason | Lebron | Jolley |
| Logan | Matthew | Jordan |
| Madisson | Emma | Jordan |
| Jonathan | Noah | Keur |
| Aubrey | Drew | Kidd |
| Bryce | Taylor | King |
| Kandyce | Marie | Kreiter-Wright |
| Joshua | Ryan | Kuykendall |
| Zachariah | Brett | Lane |
| Jackson | Cort | Langley |
| Logan | Michael | Layton |
| Johnathan | Urie | LeFan |
| Kaylie | Alexis Savannah | Lemons |
| Jasper | James | Lettner |
| Jashay | Marbra Leona | Locke |
| Kaylin | Denise | Lovelady |
| Timothy | Lee | Luther Jr |
| Daniel | Tanner | Lynn |
| Dawson | William | Lytle |
| Caitlin | Rose | Mahan |
| Ethan | James | Manley |
| Christopher | Marquez | |
| Madeline | Sofia | Martinez |
| Colby | Paige | Masengale |
| Maverick | Dallas | Masengale |
| Tucker | Jason | Mathis |
| Ariel | Faith | Matthew |
| Trenton | Ryan | Maynor |
| Ethan | Lee | McConnell |
| Tina | Marie | McGill |
| Kattie | Leigha | McKinney |
| Kelly | Leann | McLaughlin |
| Kyler | Isaiah | Meeks |
| Alondra | Mejia-Rendon | |
| Brian | Dewaine | Miles |
| Asa | Stephan | Miller |
| Madison | Faith | Miller |
| Tori | Lynn | Mitchell |
| Cristine | Victoria | Moore |
| Cuirston | Alyssa | Moore |
| William | Isaiah | Moreland |
| Emily | Kaitlyn | Morgan |
| Meredith | Keylee | Morgan |
| Brianna | Cheyanne | Murray |
| Commie | Turl | Nance |
| Autumn | Kaydence | Neal |
| Kailee | Paige | Nelson |
| Thomas | Graham | Newman |
| Gavin | Michael | Newton |
| Cassandra | Nicole | Noblitt |
| Hope | Leann | Northcutt |
| Glen | Robert | O'Daniel |
| Dylan | Llyod | Orick |
| Hanna | Marie | Osborne |
| Caitlyn | Ray-Lynn | Owens |
| Leah | Grace | Owensby |
| Andrew | Cheyene | Ownby |
| Gabriel | Jordan | Pack |
| Ryan | Javier | Pagan |
| Zoe | Marie | Partin |
| Shivkumar | Vimalb | Patel |
| Justin | Edward | Patrick |
| Asa | Ryan | Patton |
| Lyla | Marie | Payne |
| Brayden | Aine | Pearce |
| Larry | Ross | Pendergrass III |
| Parker | Kathleen | Peoples |
| Hailey | Jane | Peppers |
| Blanca | Yesenia | Perez |
| Andrea | Donnelle | Perkins |
| Ashley | Marie | Phipps |
| Brady | Ferran | Powell |
| Hunter | Lee | Presley |
| Noah | O'Rion | Pride |
| Mikinna | Nicole | Quick |
| Angelina | Ramirez-Rafael | |
| Christopher | Blake | Ramsey |
| Sierra | Alexis | Ramsey |
| Madison | Kay | Reagan |
| Dillon | Kyle Edward | Reed |
| Amelia | Michelle | Richard |
| Shelby | Leighann | Roberts |
| Alexia | Katherine Hope | Robinson |
| Madison | Grace Bailey | Robinson |
| Tristan | Erik | Robinson |
| Gabrielle | Faith | Roddy |
| Joshua | Hunter | Rodriquez |
| Cecilia | Paige | Rogers |
| Phillip | Stephen | Rogers |
| Angela | Rojas | |
| Matthew | Lee | Rosas |
| Samantha | Danise | Rossetter |
| Grayson | Cole | Russell |
| William | Dexter | Sales |
| Aubrey | Lee | Sallee III |
| Jose | Fernando | Santiago |
| Jacob | Lee | Scruggs |
| Devin | Emmitt | Shaver |
| Gavin | Michael | Shaver |
| Destin | Kent | Shelfer |
| Nicholas | Scott | Sherrill |
| Heather | Nicole Huan Ping | Shoffner |
| Dakota | Anderson | Simpson |
| Kaleb | Anthony | Skiles |
| Dusty | James Leroy | Sluder |
| Brooklyn | Taylor-Ann | Smith |
| Dalton | Thomas | Smith |
| Dylan | Hunter | Smith |
| James | Cody | Smith |
| Madelyn | Ryan | Smith |
| Madison | Rae | Smith |
| Shannon | Taylor | Smith |
| Wanya | Trance | Smith |
| Zyon | Azarrya'a Ka'shae | Smith |
| Adriana | Cheyenne | Sneed |
| Emily | Lauren | Sorrow |
| Madison | Breeanna Cree | Spaulding |
| Lauren | Nicole | Speciale |
| Jackson | Levi | Stacy |
| Jarron | David | Stacy |
| Kevin | Thomas | Stammen |
| Caleb | Jeffrey | Stampe |
| Marah | Jean | Steven |
| Jacob | Bradley | Stringfellow |
| Lauren | Madeline | Summers |
| Georgia | Leeann | Sutton |
| Annabelle | Leigh | Tallent |
| Deborah | Sue | Taylor |
| Madison | Marie | Taylor |
| Garrett | Alexander | Teems |
| Colyer | Ryan | Thornton |
| Ethan | Douglas | Thurman |
| Joseph | Tyler | Thurman |
| Brooke | Logan | Tidwell |
| Jackson | Wayne | Tomlin |
| Summer | Thanhquyen | Tran |
| Makayla | Rena | Trusley |
| Chelsea | Brianna | Turner |
| Tyler | Raymond | Vadeboncoeur |
| Jose | Daniel | Valdez |
| Faith | Lashea | Vestal |
| Ashley | Rose | Walker |
| Garrett | Ray | Walker |
| Katherine | Maeve | Walls |
| McKenize | Jean | Walthers |
| Brianna | Carroll Deniece | Wampler |
| Devon | Iman | Ware |
| Robert | Wayne | Watts |
| Kelly | Renee | White |
| Matthew | Caleb | Wilkey |
| Chyenne | Summer | Wilson |
| Triston | River | Winchester |
| Hollee | Sue | Workman |
| Hannah | Raine | Worthington |