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CASSOPOLIS — A group of students was honored for their efforts and excellence in the classroom over the past four years.

The Administration and staff at Cassopolis Ross Beatty High School announced the top ten graduates from the Class of 2024 this week. The ten students have excelled both in and out of the classroom by maintaining a high academic record while also participating in numerous extracurricular activities and teams. Commencement will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in the High School Gymnasium. 

Graduating as Valedictorian of the Class of 2024 is Atyanna Alford. Atyanna is the daughter of Ashley and Joe Alford. During high school she has been an active member of the National Honor Society, the Varsity Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Track and Field, and Golf Teams. She is also a Senior Class Representative with the Student Senate, and participated in the Educational Talent Search Program. Atyanna plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College where she will begin her studies in Dental Hygiene, while playing for the SMC Roadrunners Basketball team. 

Representing the Class of 2024 as Salutatorian is Ella Smith. Ella is the daughter of Justin and Danielle Smith. During high school, she participated in the National Honor Society, Senior Class President with the Student Senate, and was a member of the Educational Talent Search Program. Ella has been an active member of the Varsity Volleyball, Basketball, Softball and Track and Field Teams. She has also been very involved in the Art of Dance, since the age of 3 years old. Ella plans to attend the University of Michigan where she will study Political Science in hopes of attending Law School to become a Lawyer. 

Megan Franks is the daughter of Crystal and Ronald Franks. Megan has participated in the National Honor Society and has been a Class Representative with the Student Senate. Megan is a member of the Educational Talent Search, and she has been the manager for the Track and Field Teams. In the fall, Megan will be attending the University of Michigan. She is still undecided as to what she will study. 

Ryli Burks is the daughter of Shelli and Jerry Burks. She is involved in National Honor Society, a Senior Class Representative with the Student Senate, a member of the Varsity Volleyball and Varsity Golf Teams, and she has volunteered throughout High School as a Youth Volleyball Coach. Ryli will be attending Southwestern Michigan College in the fall, where she will study for two years, and plans to transfer to a 4-year University to study Business. 

Emily Carlisle is the daughter of Jeremy and Aryn Carlisle. During high school Emily participated in the National Honor Society, Student Senate, attended Andrews Math and Science Center, and took part in U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corp. Training. She has been a member of Legacy 4-H and participated in Livestock Shows. Emily won a State Championship in both Prepared Public Speaking and Demonstration Contests in FFA, where she was also the FFA Chapter and Region President. Emily also participated on the JV Volleyball, Varsity Golf, Track and Field, and Softball Teams. Her future plans include attending the University of Michigan this fall to study Aerospace Engineering, in hopes of one day designing aircrafts.

Blake Hartsell is the son of Sara and Kurt Hartsell. During his time in high school, he has been active in Concert and Marching Band, Varsity Soccer, the National Honor Society, Robotics, and Dual-Enrolled in the SMC Automotive Program. Blake has already secured a position at Elkhart Indian Motorcycle, where he will be working after graduation. 

Kenneth May is the son of Zachary and Carey May. In high school, Kenneth has participated on the Varsity Football, Soccer, Basketball, Track and Field, and Golf Teams. Kenneth is also a member of the National Honor Society and a Senior Class Representative with the Student Senate. He also participated in the Educational Talent Search Program. After high school, Kenneth plans to attend Goshen College to play on the basketball team, while pursuing a Business Degree. 

Neelanh Vanhphoumy is the son of Bounthong and Douangchanh Vanhphoumy. Neelanh has been a member of the National Honor Society and a Class Secretary with the Student Senate. He has also been an active participant on the Varsity Football and Track and Field Teams, as well as the Educational Talent Search Program. After graduation, Neelanh plans on attending The University of Olivet to major in Business Marketing while also playing on the Football Team. 

Ella Richmond is the daughter of Brian and Rachel Richmond. Ella has participated in 4-H for the past ten years and has shown various animals at the Cass County Fair. Ella is also a member of the National Honor Society. She was a phenomenal softball pitcher from the age of eight years old until a severe injury ended her career in ninth grade. Since then Ella has concentrated on school, completing two full years of classes at Southwestern Michigan College, along with her high school classes.

After recently passing her nursing entrance exam, Ella is slated to begin the Nursing Program at Southwestern Michigan college in the Fall to complete her RN. Ella’s ultimate goal is to go on to receive a Bachelor’s in Nursing and to finally obtain her Nurses Practitioner License. 

Derria McNeal is the daughter of Derrick McNeal and the late Ernestine Nickens. She is also the proud sister of her Guardian, Tammea McNeal. During high school, she has been a member of the Varsity Volleyball and the Varsity Track and Field Teams. She was also the Manager of the Varsity Baseball team. Derria plans to attend Grand Valley State University where she will pursue a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.