Ashdown High School 2025 Honor Graduates
Valedictorian—Kaitlyn Jones
Kaitlyn Jones, daughter of Cristal and Jon Jones, was involved in Beta Club, National Honor Society, AHS Tutoring, TARGETS, and was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. Kaitlyn was a member of the basketball and volleyball Pantherettes teams. She will attend Southern Arkansas University to major in Nursing and plans to attend medical school to become a pediatrician. Kaitlyn was awarded the Blue and Gold Excellence Scholarship at SAU, PaulHale Memorial Scholarship, Ruby Lee Rosenbaum Memorial Scholarship, Ashdown Targets Scholarship, and the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship.
Valedictorian—Nataleigh Wharton
Nataleigh Wharton, daughter of Ryan and Mallory Wharton, was the President of the National Honor Society at Ashdown High School. She also served as Student Council Vice President and Beta Club Secretary. Nataleigh was an Honor Roll and AP student, a varsity volleyball team starter, and a football team manager. She volunteered with Special Olympics, was a certified elementary school tutor, and participated in Panther Theater and Drama. Nataleigh was crowned Miss AHS Beauty Pageant Winner in 2023 and Miss Land O’ Lights Little River County Pageant Winner. She plans to attend Hawai’i Pacific University and major in Marine Biology. Her scholarships include the HPU Presidential Honors Scholarship, the Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship, Little River County Retired Teachers Association Scholarship, Cecil & Beth Bowman Memorial Scholarship, and the Ashdown Alumni Association Scholarship.
Rechelle Strube
Rechelle Strube, daughter of Bradley Strube, served as Student Council President from 2024–2025 and was a class officer from 2021–2024. She was actively involved in Beta Club, serving as President and Secretary, and in NationalHonor Society, serving as Vice President. Rechelle also participated in the National Tutoring Association, Peer Tutoring, and SkillsUSA, where she was a two-time state champion and national competitor. She was involved in the Arkansas Project Prevent Youth Coalition and contributed over 250 hours of community service through events such as local banquets, nursing home visits, festivals, and school fundraisers. She plans to attend Arkansas State University and major in Nursing, with the goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Her scholarships include the Local Coca-Cola Scholarship, Alumni Association Scholarship, and Military Dependent Scholarship.
Zamariyah Rhone
Zamariyah Rhone, daughter of Calvin and Katrina Rhone, participated in the Arkansas Medical Concentrator program, National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Student Council as Senior Class Officer. She was also a member of the AHS Varsity Basketball, Track, and Cheer teams. She plans to attend the University of Central Arkansas to run track and major in Nursing. Zamariyah earned the UCA Track Scholarship, Buck Dancer Memorial Scholarship, Catheryn Burton Memorial Scholarship, King Medical Clinic Scholarship, Ashdown Athletic Booster Scholarship, OBU Founder’s Scholarship, and the OBU Track Scholarship.
Walt Jones
Walt Jones, son of Steve and Stephanie Jones, was a member of the Beta Club and played baseball for Ashdown High School. He will attend the University of Arkansas, where he plans to study Oral Communications. Walt received several scholarships, including a Baseball Scholarship, Academic Scholarship, Rotary Scholarship, and the Bink Spigner Scholarship.
Kamarie McElroy
Jarred Baker
Jarred Baker, son of John Baker and Rita Kay Baker, was active in SkillsUSA, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, and played on the varsity baseball and football teams. He plans to attend the University of Central Arkansas and major in Nursing. His scholarships include the UCA Commitment Scholarship, a University Scholarship, and an Alumni Association Scholarship.
Kutter Dollarhide
Kutter Dollarhide, son of Lonni and Dewayne Dollarhide, participated in Beta Club, National Honor Society, Yearbook, FFA, Baseball, and Golf. He plans to attend Southern Arkansas University Tech to major in Sports Science and play baseball. Kutter received the SAU Tech Merit Scholarship, Dugan Ward Scholarship, Ashdown Athletic Booster Scholarship, Ben Birtcher Memorial Scholarship, Nathan Huddleston Memorial Scholarship, Pafford Medical Services HealthCare Scholarship, and the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.
Ryley Knudson
Ryley Knudson, son of Luke and Miranda Knudson, was a member of the National Honor Society and served as a tutor. He plans to attend the University of Central Arkansas to study Cybersecurity. Ryley earned the Don Hale Jr. Memorial Scholarship and the Mil-Way Matt Harris Scholarship.
Da’quavion Martin
Da’quavion Martin, son of Annette Iverson, participated in Beta Club, National Honor Society, Band, and Theater. He plans to pursue a career in acting at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California. His scholarships include the PPMB Alumni Scholarship and the Courtney Jewell Memorial Scholarship.
Brodie Mitchell
Brodie Mitchell, daughter of Ashley and Fred Mitchell, was involved in AHS Varsity Cheer, Beta Club, National Honor Society, SkillsUSA, Ashdown Shooting Sports, and Panther Theater. She will attend Ouachita Baptist University to cheer and major in Pre-Medicine with plans to become a Physician Assistant. Brodie earned the OBU Legacy Scholar, OBU Dean’s Scholarship, OBU Cheer Scholarship, PEO International Scholarship, PEO STAR, Pull for Chase Smith, Vestco, Farmers Bank and Trust, and the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.
Samantha Huddleston
Samantha Huddleston, daughter of Wendy and Leslie Huddleston, was a member of AHS Varsity Cheer and Beta Club. She will attend Cossatot Community College and major in Business. Samantha has been awarded scholarships from the Ashdown Alumni Association, Farm Bureau, Southern Sportsman Foundation, and Farm Credit.
Erynn Turner
Erynn Turner, daughter of Claudette Turner, James Gibbs, and Keith James, was involved in Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Small Business Operations. She is attending Prairie View A&M University, where she is majoring in Criminal Justice. Erynn received scholarships from the Ashdown Alumni Association, the Thad Bishop Law Scholarship, and a PV Grant.
Samuel Linnett
Samuel Linnett, son of Susannah and Daniel Linnett, was a member of the Ashdown High School Band. He will attend Southern Arkansas University to major in Business Administration. Samuel was awarded the SAU Blue and Gold Scholarship and the SAU Success Scholarship.
Paiten Miller
Paiten Miller, daughter of James and Ericka Miller, was a varsity cheerleader for three years and served as Cheer Captain her senior year. She also participated in Panther Theater and FBLA (serving as Vice President her senior year), and was a Senior Class Officer. Paiten competed as a state qualifier for FBLA three years in a row and was District IV champion as a senior. She was also a member of the National Honor Society and the Beta Club. Paiten will attend Texas A&M Texarkana to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing while continuing to cheer. Her scholarships include the Soaring Eagle Scholarship, National Honor Society Scholarship, Counselor’s Choice Scholarship, Brian Matthews Scholarship, and the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship.
Matthew Tyler Graf
Matthew Tyler Graf, son of Adam Graf and Leslie Horn, plans to attend Tonsorial Barber College in Texarkana. After gaining experience cutting hair, he hopes to one day open his own barbershop.
Reagan Hearn
Reagan Hearn, daughter of Lisa and Traye Hearn, was a varsity cheerleader for three years, a member of Beta Club, completed community service hours, and was an ART completer. She will attend Cossatot Community College to pursue a business degree before transferring to another school to complete her bachelor’s degree. Reagan was awarded the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship, the William and Laverne Coker Scholarship, and the Archie and Mary Sue Mills Scholarship.
