MHS Graduation

Class of 2020 Graduation
Posted on 07/13/2020
July 13, 2020 - Mexico High School honored 164 graduates in a Sunday evening ceremony last night. Along with many student honors, the senior class recognized Jennifer Silver as the Senior Class "Teacher of the Year." All seniors have an opportunity to vote for a teacher. Senior Class President, Manny Hernandez, presented Ms. Silver with her award. Ms. Silver is an alumnus of MHS and a long-time member of the MHS staff. She teaches upper-level English Language Arts and Dual Credit Classes and serves as the English Department Chair.

VALEDICTORIAN & SALUTATORIAN
Five students were recognized for top-of-the-class honors and offered a traditional message to their senior class: 
Kevin Duong, Valedictorian 
Lillian Mann, Valedictorian 
Nicole Mann, Valedictorian 
Lacy Schoneboom, Valedictorian 
Kaitlin Paladin, Salutatorian 

The valedictorian award is the highest MHS academic award. According to board policy, students must undertake a challenging course of studies, have the highest class grade point average, and score at least 26 on the ACT in order to win the award. 

The Salutatorian award is the second-highest MHS academic award. According to board policy, the student must undertake a challenging course of studies and have the second-highest class GPA with at least a score of 26 on the ACT. 

OTHER AWARDS
The MHS Class of 2020 was awarded $790,000 in scholarships in their first year of post-secondary education, and they have collectively earned nearly 1304 dual-credit college hours at Mexico High School. Five students qualified for Bright Flight Scholarships. One graduate earned her Associate’s Degree from Moberly Area Community College: Cami Donaldson.

Other students were certified on campus through Hart Career Center and will enter their chosen professions with industry-recognized credentials.

The 2020 graduates are recognized for their academic excellence as well as their success and involvement in the community outside the classroom.  Many students wore cords signifying these accomplishments:

The Gold Cord was worn by students inducted into the National Honor Society.
Purple cords were worn by members of the National Technical Honor Society.
Red and White Cords were worn by FCCLA Members. 
Red and Gray Cords signified participation in the National Speech and Debate Association.
Navy and White Cords were worn by members of Project Lead the Way.
Blue Cords with a gold eagle were worn by the members of FFA.
Red, White, and Blue cords were worn by students that have received the Seal of BiLiteracy.
Navy and Silver Cords were worn by Student Council Members.
Navy and Red Cords signified service as a Student Ambassador.
Red, White, and Blue cords are also worn by students involved in Jobs for America’s Graduates.
Four Eagle Scouts donned Red, White, and Blue cords with a Boys Scouts of America medal.

Some of the graduates also wore an academic medal stamped with the lamp of knowledge and were worn on a white ribbon around the graduate’s neck. There are three different medals a student can earn for this ceremony: 

Twenty-one students wore a BRONZE medal signifying a cum laude distinction - this phrase is Latin for “with honor.” These students earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 to 3.74 and a score of at least 21 on the ACT.  

Twelve students earned a SILVER medal for the magna cum laude distinction; this phrase means “with great honor.” These students earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 to 3.89 and a score of at least 23 on the ACT. 

Eleven students wore a GOLD medal, earning the summa cum laude distinction, this phrase is Latin for with HIGHEST honor; These students had a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 to 4.0 and a score of at least 25 on the ACT. 

Graduation was originally scheduled for May but moved to July 12 at 7:00 p.m. due to COVID-19 school and community decisions. Each attending senior was given four tickets, and family and friends were physically distanced in the bleachers as well as in chairs placed on the track. The traditional teacher receiving line after a student walked across the stage was not offered, and the commencement exercises were paired down to less than one hour. The livestream of the ceremony is available on the Mexico School District YouTube page.