Class of 2021 - Westview

Westview Graduation Highlights
Posted on 05/19/2021
This is the image for the news article titled Westview Graduation HighlightsWestview saw 33 of the Class of 2021 graduate with Honors and 41 with Distinction. Five students will be entering the military. Fifteen of the graduates will be remembered on Westview’s ACT Wall of Fame. Those receiving the more than $1.4 million in scholarships include:

Josef Abdulla -- ACT Wall of Fame, HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Chancellor’s Scholarship, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Scholarship, Aspire Scholarship

Abigail Arredondo -- HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Dean’s Scholarship, Charger Foundation Scholarship

Olivia Bailey -- HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Dean’s Scholarship

Elaina Berneeco-- HOPE Scholarship

Douglas Brown -- Hope Scholarship

Madison Brown -- TN Promise

Mary Beth Buchanan -- ACT Wall of Fame, HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Knoxville Volunteer Scholarship, Achieve Scholarship, General Assembly Scholarship, Woodmen Life Focus Forward Scholarship

Michael Butler -- ACT Wall of Fame

J. T. Carver -- HOPE Scholarship

Carter Coleman -- ACT Wall of Fame, HOPE Scholarship, General Assembly Merritt, TN Achieves, University of Tennessee at Martin Chancellor’s Scholarship

Anna Cursey -- ACT Wall of Fame, HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Knoxville Volunteer Scholarship

Kathryn Cursey -- ACT Wall of Fame, Colvard Future Leader Scholarship, Freshmen Academic Excellence Scholarship, Non-resident tuition scholarship, Anchor Club Scholarship

Jonathan Davidson -- HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Dean’s Scholarship, Charger Foundation Scholarship

Ryder Davidson -- University Academic Achievement Scholarship, The Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business Scholarship

Michael Ford -- HOPE Scholarship

Gracie Giffen -- HOPE Scholarship, UT Promise, Aspire Scholarship Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Dean’s Scholarship

Hallie Gray -- HOPE Scholarship

Sonnie Greer -- University of Tennessee at Martin Fare Mound Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Excellence Scholarship, Aspire Scholarship Scholarship, HOPE Scholarship

Ashley Hanks -- HOPE Scholarship, Aspire Scholarship Scholarship

Serenity Harrell -- HOPE Scholarship, Harold Conner Achieve Scholarship, Kay Durden Scholarship, Charger Foundation Scholarship, Achieves Scholarship

Kayle Hensley -- HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Excellence Scholarship, UT Promise Scholarship, Charger Foundation Scholarship, Weakley County Young Professionals Scholarship, TN Achieves Scholarship

Ava Hicks -- National Scholars Scholarship

Jackson Hopper -- HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Excellence Scholarship

Luke Jackson -- Elam Legacy Scholarship, HOPE Scholarship

Gabriel Jahr -- ACT Wall of Fame, HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Chancellors Scholarship

Kellan Kelso -- Pittsburg State Legacy Scholarship

Devyn Kerney -- Tennessee TSAA Award, HOPE Scholarship, UT Promise

Natali King -- Graduating with Honors, HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Dean’s Scholarship

Avery Leyhue -- ACT Wall of Fame, HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Chancellor’s Scholarship

Emerson Leyhue -- ACT Wall of Fame, HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Chancellor’s Scholarship

Porter Mantooth -- ACT Wall of Fame, AFROTC Scholarship, Leadership and Engineering Scholarship, Weakley County Sports Hall of Fame Female Athlete Scholarship

Grant McGehee -- ACT Wall of Fame, HOPE Scholarship

James McGregor -- HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Chancellor’s Scholarship, Music Chancellor’s Scholarship, Aviator Scholarship, Ralph Hale Music Scholarship, Charger Foundation Scholarship

Austin Mount -- TN Promise, International Humanitarian Scholarship, Good Samaritan Scholarship, HOPE Scholarship

Jamie Murphy -- Aspire Scholarship, Eddie Russell Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Dean’s Scholarship, HOPE Scholarship

Dylan Muzzall -- ARMY National Guard

Scarlett Nail -- HOPE Scholarship, University of TN at Martin Excellence Scholarship

Emily Palafox -- HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee Dean’s Scholarship

Bryce Pettit -- Tennessee Promise

Lane Pierpoint -- HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Dean’s Scholarship, Elam Alumni Legacy Scholarship, Weakley County Hall of Fame Male Athlete Scholarship

Kizer Riley -- HOPE Scholarship, TSAA Grant for TN Tech

Akeria Rivers -- Workforce Development Scholarship, Sellars BP Scholarship

Susana Rodriguez -- HOPE Scholarship, TN Achieves Scholarship, UT Promise

Ashley Rogers -- ACT Wall of Fame, HOPE Scholarship, The University of TN Knoxville Volunteer Scholarship

Caleb Romans -- Marine Corps

Ethan Rose -- Charger Foundation Scholarship, University of TN at Martin Excellence Scholarship, UTM Alumni Legacy Scholarship, HOPE Scholarship

Sydney Shanklin -- HOPE Scholarship

Jonah Simmons -- ACT Wall of Fame Graduate, University of Tennessee at Martin Chancellor’s Scholarship, HOPE Scholarship, Tennessee Geographic Bee Scholarship, Pete Evans Music Scholarship

Devonte Smith -- HOPE Scholarship

Michaela Smith -- HOPE Scholarship, Freed Hardeman University Merit Scholarship

Mason Snider -- United States Army

Tara Steffen-Brewer -- HOPE Scholarship, Aspire Scholarship, TN Achieve Scholarship

Marquez Taylor -- United States Army

Kaylee Tims -- HOPE Scholarship, Beacon Scholarship

Dylan Totty -- ACT Wall of Fame, HOPE Scholarship, Freed Hardeman Merit Scholarship

Will Tuck -- HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Dean’s Scholarship, Wendell Alexander Scholarship

Mason VanCleave -- HOPE Scholarship, University of TN at Martin Dean’s Scholarship

Tristan Villasica -- Bethel Baseball Scholarship

Carley Wainscott -- HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Excellence Scholarship

Katelyn Webb -- TN Promise

Haley Wheat -- HOPE Scholarship, Achieve Scholarship

Zachary Whiteman -- ACT Wall of Fame, University Scholars, University of TN at Martin Chancellor’s Scholarship, HOPE Scholarship

MaKaylan Williams -- HOPE Scholarship, Excellence Scholarship

Georgia Wilson -- Renaissance Scholarship, Contiguous County Scholarship

Noah Wilson -- TNTSAA Award, HOPE Scholarship

Nolan Winstead -- HOPE Scholarship

Robin Wynne -- HOPE Scholarship, University of Tennessee at Martin Dean’s Scholarship

Madison Yates -- Air Force, D-Lab Score Bonus

Top Ten 
ButlerMichael Butler
• Parents – Chris and Jenise Butler
• Clubs and Activities – Spanish Club, Yearbook Committee, Beta Club, Ethics Club, FBLA
• University – University of Chicago
• Class Rank – 1







Avery LeyhueAvery Leyhue
• Parents – Jeff and Stephenie Leyhue
• Clubs and Activities – Varsity Girls Basketball, Anchor Club, FCA, BETA Club
• University – University of Tennessee at Martin
• Class Rank – 2







Anna CurseyAnna Cursey
• Parents – Keith and Angie Cursey
• Clubs and Activities – HOSA, Anchor Club, BETA, Senior Class Vice President, FCA, Spanish Club
• University – University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• Class Rank – 3





Emerson LeyhueEmerson Leyhue
• Parents – Jeff and Stephenie Leyhue
• Clubs and Activities – Girls Varsity Basketball, BETA Club, Anchor Club, HOSA, FCA
• University – University of Tennessee at Martin
• Class Rank – 4







Katie CurseyKaty Cursey
• Parents – Keith and Angie Cursey
• Clubs and Activities – Anchor Club, HOSA, Yearbook Staff, BETA Club, FCA, Weakley County Youth Leadership, Welcoming Cheer Committee, Spanish Club, 1st place in Weakley County Art Drawing Contest
• University – Mississippi State University
• Class Rank – 5

RogersAshley Rogers
• Parents – Stacey Cook and Jim Rogers
• Clubs and Activities – Anchor Club, HOSA, BETA Club, Spanish Club
• University – University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• Class Rank – 6







BuchananMary Beth Buchanan
• Parents – Kevin and Cecile Buchanan
• Clubs and Activities – HOSA, Anchor Club, BETA Club, FCA
• University – University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• Class Rank – 7







PalafoxEmily Palafox
• Parents – Jackie Palafox
• Clubs and Activities – Spanish Club
• University – University of Tennessee at Martin
• Class Rank – 8









VillasicaTristan Villasica
• Parents – Cary and Rain Villasica
• Clubs and Activities – BETA Club, Spanish Club, Baseball Team
• University – Bethel University
• Class Rank – 9








SimmonsJonah Simmons
• Parents – Eric and Kim Simmons
• Clubs and Activities – Westview High School Marching Band, Westview Jazz Band, Key Club, French Club, Japanese Club, STEM Club, Beta Club – Vice President, All West Honor Band, All West Symphonic Orchestra, UTM Honor Band, UTM Chamber Fest, First Baptist Church of Martin Orchestra
• University – The University of Tennessee at Martin
• Class Rank – 10

Valedictorian Speech
Michael Butler


I’ll never forget the first day of middle school. I successfully made it to the breakfast cart and home room … until I sat down and spilled milk on pants.

So quickly my day was ruined— by no one but myself.

That’s a common trap— one I’ve found myself fall in many times since then.

I let other’s POTENTIAL thoughts create my own REAL ones. I’ve found this is an incredibly ineffective way to think.

Even as I was deciding what to write this speech about, I found myself constantly thinking about what others would think about.

Now imagine it’s what we’re going to do after high school, where were going to go, who we are going to be.

These are huge decisions. Are we going to let endless assumptions and anxieties about others’ thoughts influence them more than our own?

The future is ours, and we are in charge. Only we know what’s going to make us happy better than anyone else. And we can’t forget that.

I’m so thankful for the friendships and lessons Westview has brought me the past four years, and I can’t wait to see where we all end up.

My biggest hope for this class is that each of us takes control of our futures rather than letting fear and worry do it for us.

Salutatorian Speech
Avery Leyhue


Good evening, it is my privilege to extend a welcome to our faculty and staff, graduates, family, and friends to the graduation ceremony for the Westview High School class of 2021. Thank you for being here to mark this special moment with us. This year has presented us with unique challenges and changes-most notably a global pandemic (a topic I will spend too much time dwelling on). With this in mind, I would like to give special thanks to Mr. Randy Frazier, Mr. Jeromy Davidson, and Coach Lifsey for enforcing health guidelines within the school, Mrs. Stover for providing our school with all the necessary personal protective equipment such as hand sanitizer, wipes and masks, and the rest of the Westview staff and faculty for putting our health and safety first. Without you and health measures you took, in-person learning would not have been possible. (Please join me in showing our appreciation for all they have done for our school this year.)

As I sat down to write this speech my mind bounced all over the place. What would I write about? Who can I quote? How can I make this speech memorable for myself and all of you in the short time that I am given to speak? Then it hit me. Who better to talk about than the king of giving speeches himself - Coach Haskins? Although his speeches were never more than one to two minutes in length, they were always memorable. So after four years, hundreds of quotes and saying Coach Haskins would give us throughout and after basketball practice, I have decided to leave you, graduates, with this one quote: “It’s not about what you’re capable of, it’s about what you’re willing to do.”

Every single one of you is capable of great things, but if you have no willingness to use and strengthen your capability, success will not come so easily. As Coach Haskins would say, “It’s not rocket science.”

The successful and the unsuccessful are separated by one factor: not that one is more capable than the other, that one is more willing to make sacrifices and decisions that allow hers or his capability to flourish. Take for example this new chapter that some of us are about to start - college. Throughout your journey you will face many challenges as you strive toward success, and it will be your willingness to not back down and power through that will propel you toward prosperity. Yes, you are capable of thriving in college, but if you are unwilling to show up for class, study that extra hour, or miss that one social event, your capability will turn into wasted potential and regrets.

But do not lose heart, as long as your capability is accompanied by willingness, there is no limit to what you can accomplish. So, thank you, class of 2021, faculty and staff, parents, family and friends for allowing me to be a small part of the accomplishments being recognized tonight.

Go Chargers!




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