JAHHS Honors Class of 2025 at Senior Awards Ceremony

BY MILES LAYTON

EDENTON — The community honored John A. Holmes High School’s seniors’ academic excellence at the annual awards ceremony on Friday in the Aces’ gym.

More than $2.6 million in scholarships were awarded to this talented class of 145 seniors poised to go to college with some Aces to serve in the military, while others will join the job market. A list of the scholarship winners appears below.

Why is it important for a local newspaper to cover this event? Because if a media outlet can cover a football game against a conference rival or a council meeting, it can certainly pay tribute to a class of seniors who’ve worked very hard to achieve academic success and earn their diplomas. Moreover, our community invests a lot of time, money and school spirit into the seniors’ future, so it is the proper thing to do to honor the Class of 2025.

Two women pose together on stage during John A. Holmes High School’s Senior Awards Ceremony, with one wearing a blue graduation gown and holding a certificate, while the other is in a black dress.

Processional was performed by the Aces’ marching band, followed by the presentation of the colors by the JROTC and the National Anthem Brea Navarro. Mistress of Ceremonies was Olivia Armstead and Master of Ceremonies was Austin Roebuck. Special thanks goes to JAHHS guidance counselor Karen Pruden for her help with compiling the list below so the Albemarle Observer could be certain that we included everyone. Some photos come from Joy Harvill of the Edenton-Chowan Educational Foundation — thanks.

JAHHS will hold its graduation at 7 p.m. Friday, June 6, at the school’s football field.

Several photos of the event appear at the end of the scholarship list.

A graduate from John A. Holmes High School poses proudly with an award certificate alongside a faculty member during the Senior Awards Ceremony.

Scholarship Winners

Jamaurie Perry – Chowan Farm Bureau
Emma Parrish – Chowan Farm Bureau
Ainsley Parrish – Chowan Farm Bureau
Emma Parrish – DAR Good Citizen Scholarship
Diamonique Dillard – DAR ROTC Scholarship
Dai’Viouna Sutton – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship
Emma Parrish – Edenton Chamber of Commerce Scholarship
Hunter Williams – Edenton Chamber of Commerce Scholarship
Brynlee Stevens – Edenton Women’s Club Sallie Southall Scholarship
Hunter Williams – Edenton Women’s Club Technical Scholarship
Jamaurie Perry – FOCUS Broadband Scholarship
Emma Parrish – George and Alex Scholarship
Olivia Armstead – George and Alex Scholarship
Ashlynn Babbitt – Jack Evans Scholarship
Kate Foster – Jack Evans Scholarship
Emma Parrish – Jack Evans Scholarship
Kate Foster – Luther C. Parks Optimist Club Scholarship
Josh Wells – Luther C. Parks Optimist Club Scholarship
Jamaurie Perry – Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Dai’Viouna Sutton – Mediacom World Class Scholarship
Amaya Cortezano – National Military ROTC Scholarship to ECU
Amaya Cortezano – ROTC Recruitment Fund Scholarship
Kurshauna Blount – Miss Juneteenth
Amani Bowens- Miss Juneteenth
Caleigh Dixon – NC Teaching Fellows
Kurshauna Blount – NC Teaching Fellows
Emma Parrish – NCHSAA Flosports Track
Jordan Ward – Nucor Scholarship
Josh Wells – Pembroke Bass Fishing Club Scholarship
Camdyn Forehand – Rotary Scholarship
Emma Parrish – Ryland Ruritan Club Scholarship
Jamaurie Perry – Ryland Ruritan Club Scholarship
Kate Foster – Winston Dale Ryland Ruritan Scholarship
Ainsley Parrish – SECU People Helping People Scholarship
Torah Downing – Shalom International Church Scholarship
Te-Jayce Simpson – Sisters of Strength Scholarship
A’Ziyah Eason – Sisters of Strength Scholarship
JaVighyia Wilkins- Tau Phi Tau Fraternity Scholarship
Jamaurie Perry – Tau Phi Tau Fraternity Scholarship
Nia Gilliam – Briar James Scholarship
Caleigh Dixon – Briar James Scholarship
Dai’Viouna Sutton – Rocky Hock Lions Club Scholarship
Dai’Viouna Sutton- JAH Leo Club Scholarship
Olivia Armstead – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Scholarship
JaVighyia Wilkins – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Scholarship
Tamya Wilson – Fannie A. Parker Woman’s Club
JT Cutler – Chowan Change
Ainsley Parrish – Chowan County Fair
Zach Walston – ECEF Donor Scholarship
JaVighyia Wilkins – ECEF Donor Scholarship
Olivia Armstead – ECEF Donor Scholarship
Brynlee Stevens – ECEF Donor Scholarship
Kate Foster – ECEF Donor Scholarship
Torah Downing – ECEF Donor Scholarship
Mia Hoffer – Helen P. Robinson Scholarship
Kurshauna Blount – John T. Dowd Education Scholarship
Jamaurie Perry – Josie Ruth Wheeler Carr Scholarship
Ainsley Parrish – Kristopher Fielding Lewis Memorial Scholarship
Tamya Wilson – Kristopher Fielding Lewis Memorial Scholarship
Darius Oliver – Kristopher Fielding Lewis Memorial Scholarship
JT Cutler – Roy Lee Ashley, Sr Scholarship
Gavin Pierce – Spruce Family
Nia Gilliam – Willie Love Morgan and Charles Henry Shaw
Elijah Davis – My Custom Swag
Emma Parrish – Bess Harrell Little Memorial
Emma Parrish – Eric J. Bergevin
Kurshauna Blount – Ralph V. Cole, Sr.
Darius Oliver – Anna Lee Chestnut
JT Cutler – Edenton Cotton Mill Museum Scholarship
Gavin Pierce – Edenton Cotton Mill Museum Scholarship
Emma Parrish – Coach Jerry McGee
Brea Navarro – Lions Club Scholarship
Josh Wells – Mulberry Hill Women’s Golf Association
Dai’Viouna Sutton – Mildred Lewis Science Scholarship
Zi’Kiven Dillard – Bill Billings
Zach Walston – Bro Bonner
Maddox Bass – Coach Henry Overton Memorial
Kurshauna Blount – Jim and Deanna Chesson Female Athlete
Tyler Wells – Owen and Joan Maxwell Male Athlete
Matthew Dewees – John Philip Sousa Award
Austin Roebuck – Mitchener Science Cup

Editor’s NOTE: This list has been cross-checked at least twice with my imperfect list and the school’s far more perfect list, however, if there is an error or a name missing, send an email to mileslayton1969@gmail.com