St. James High School’s class of 2026 was presented with scholarships from local organizations, businesses, boards and memorial funds on May 13 during the Senior Awards Ceremony.

In total, the students earned over $650,000 in money that can be put toward their future endeavors.

“The thing I like about a lot of these awards tonight is they’re not simply from your senior year,” Principal Greg Harlan said. “They’re really a culmination of your educational experience and your time here at St. James High School. So to me, it has a little more meaning, because this is something you have persevered through.”

The ceremony kicked off by recognizing the students graduating with Latin honors. Those graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 3.9 GPA and above included Jonathan Bell, Isabelle Bolte, Avery Campbell, Katie Carpenter, Anastasiia Doroshenko, Addalye Felan, Tate Gruver, Gracie Jones, JV Meurer, John Perkins, Ava Snyder and Max Wilson.

Campbell, Carpenter and Wilson are each graduating with a 4.0 GPA.

Those graduating Magna Cum Laude with a 3.75 to 3.89 GPA included Elisa Bierman, Phoebe Gargus, Brody Branum, Mike Nunnery, Sophie DeLuca, Brandon Siders, Jaci Foust and Chloe Wood.

Those graduating Cum Laude with a 3.6 to 3.74 GPA included Joshua Carpenter, Gavin Moreland, Ethan Collier, Alexis Pippin, Keiran Goodridge, Peyton Shockley, Alex Hughes and Cami Wulff.

The top 10 graduates in the class included Isabelle Bolte, Gracie Jones, Avery Campbell, JV Meurer, Katie Carpenter, John Perkins, Addalye Felan, Ava Snyder, Tate Gruver and Max Wilson.

There are seven seniors who were recognized for entering into the military after their graduation. These students are Joshua Carpenter, National Guard, Jonathan Bell, National Guard, Austin Pilotte, National Guard, Andrew Lillis, National Guard, Mitchell DeKock, National Guard, Peyton Shockley, National Guard and Jaxon Smith, Marines.

“It gives us great pleasure to recognize those graduating seniors who have chosen a path of service to protect our everyday freedoms,” Assistant Principal Patrick Burke said. “These individuals have decided to make a commitment to our country and for each of us.”

Several students were presented with Career and Technical Education Certificates. In Agriculture, Joshua Carpenter for Forestry, Dairy, Meats and Farm Management, Ethan Collier for Forestry and Dairy, Gavin Davison for Ag Mechanics, Sophie DeLuca for Livestock, Tate Gruver for Poultry, JV Meurer for Horses, Floriculture and Grasslands, Austin Pilotte for Ag Mechanics, Alexis Pippin for Entomology, Gavin Romine for Forestry, Dairy and Poultry, Peyton Shockley for Forestry and Cami Wulff for Horses, Livestock and Floriculture.

In Skilled Technical, Natalee Bierman for Early Childhood, Eugene Lefebvre for Construction Trades and Garet Newth for Automotive Technology. Alex Hughes and Johnny Perkins received certificates in Business and Gracie Jones received a certificate in Health Sciences Education. 

Students who earned dual credit during their time in high school included TJ Wilson, Isabelle Bolte, Avery Campbell, Joshua Carpenter, Sophie DeLuca, Phoebe Gargus, JV Meurer, John Perkins, Brandon Siders and Max Wilson at Missouri Baptist University and Echo Barnes at University of Central Missouri.

The following scholarships were presented during the event:

• Bright Flight Scholarship, presented to Avery Campbell and Max Wilson.

• Hagan Scholarship, presented to TammyMae Al-Ramahi and John Perkins.

• Optimist Club Scholarship, presented to Phoebe Gargus.

• Colbert and Mary Lais Scholarship, presented to Jaci Foust, David Mertz and Gina Wisdom.

• Joe Luebbert Outstanding Student Award, presented to Gracie Jones and Eugene Lefebvre.

• Breaking Traditions Non-Traditional Outstanding Student, presented to Elisa Bierman.

• Phelps County Bar Association Scholarship, presented to Isabelle Bolte.

• Rolla Lions Club Vance Scholarship, presented to Alexis Pippin and Max Wilson.

• Jillian Engelbrecht Legacy Scholarship, presented to Sophie DeLuca.

• Maries County Bank Scholarship, presented to JV Meurer.

• Maries County Bank Vocational Award, presented to Jaci Foust.

• Maries County Bank Employees Director Award, presented to Carson Midyett.

• Rolla Rotary Club Breakfast Scholarship, presented to Max Wilson.

• St. James Kiwanis Education Grant, presented to Avery Campbell and John Perkins.

• Chase Hopkins Memorial Scholarship, presented to Tate Gruver and Gaige Martin.

• The Betty Mudd Scholarship Sponsored by CBTA, presented to John Perkins.

• Burger King Foundation Scholarship, presented to John Perkins.

• St. James FFA Alumni and Supporters Scholarship, presented to Isabelle Bolte, Hunter Camenisch, Avery Campbell, JV Meurer and Gavin Romine.

• Jacob Saunders Memorial Scholarship, presented to Hunter Camenisch, Jaci Foust, Carson Midyett, Garet Newth, Hope Pierce and Cami Wulff.

• Marilyn Nelson Memorial Scholarship, presented to Cami Wulff.

• Red Regiment Band Booster Scholarship, presented to Keiran Goodridge.

• Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, presented to Avery Campbell.

• Gardeners of the Forest City Scholarship, presented to Sophie DeLuca.

• Shelter Insurance Scholarship, presented to Zane Achterberg, Avery Campbell and Tate Gruver.

• Tiger Express Apparel Scholarship, presented to Keiran Goodridge.

• FCNB Bank Scholarship, presented to John Perkins.

•  Warren and Alice Patt Masonic Lodge Scholarship, presented to Gavin Moreland.

• Intercounty Electric Scholarship, presented to Sophie DeLuca, Tate Gruver, Gaige Martin, JV Meurer, Ava Snyder and Max Wilson.

•  Covenant Praise Church of God Scholarship, presented to John Perkins.

• McDonald’s Scholarship, presented to Chloe Wood.

• First Church of God Scholarship, presented to TammyMae Al-Ramahi, John Perkins and Carlin Sybert.

• The Mary Gerlach Costoplos Memorial Scholarship, presented to Isabelle Bolte.

•  Janice L. Cunningham Memorial Scholarship, presented to Cooper Schacht-Mundo and Cami Wulff.

• Gordon J. Bushie Scholarship, presented to JV Meurer.

• Ksenia and Wendell Bryan Scholarship, presented to Hunter Cemenisch and Carson Midyett.

• Richard E. Wilson Scholarship, presented to Phoebe Gargus and Max Wilson.

• St. James Public Schools Scholarship, presented to Echo Barnes, Isabelle Bolte, Katie Carpenter, Sophie DeLuca, Jaci Foust, Elizabeth Hoak, Tyrone Malone, JV Meurer, Trevor Mitchell, Gavin Moreland, John Perkins, Alexis Pippin, Cooper Schacht-Mundo, Ava Snyder and Cami Wulff.

There were also 33 students who met the criteria to receive A+ program scholarships: Zane Achterberg, John Perkins, Natalee Bierman, Ella Philyaw, Brody Branum, Austin Pilotte, Avery Cambell, Alexis Pippin, Joshua Carpenter, Graysen Redburn, Sophie DeLuca, Zane Salmons, Heidi Endsley, Peyton Shockley, Addalye Felan, Brandon Siders, Jaci Foust, Ava Snyder, Phoebe Gargus, Carlin Sybert, Tate Gruver, Ariella Tarvin, Elizabeth Hoak, Max Wilson, Melody Huffman, Gina Wisdom, Gracie Jones, Chloe Wood, David Mertz, Karlee Wright, JV Meurer, Cami Wulff and Tanner Pearson.