Fairfield High School’s Class of 2024 were awarded scholarships totaling approximately $1,126,000 during their annual Seniors Honor Assembly held on Tuesday, May 15, 2024.
The annual event recognized the accomplishments and achievements of this year’s graduates throughout their time at FHS. Seniors were given cords, sashes, scholarships, and awards for these accomplishments.
Principal Sonya Gibson welcomed the students, faculty, family, and friends to the ceremony and asked the seniors to “always carry a very special place in your heart for Fairfield High.”
CORDS, SASHES, PINS, & CERTIFICATES
–Honor Grads – Achieved an average Grade Point of 4.00 or greater, presented with an academic medal: (Gold Sash) Valedictorian – Avery Love Thaler (5.68), Salutatorian – Lily Katherine Beaver (5.36), Eashan Danny Kalyanji (5.33), Madysen Mackensie Farris (5.26), Madox Avery Mitchael (5.24), Kennedy Lynne Lane (5.22), Caris Brianne Mayer (5.17), Taylor Anne Stone (5.12), Linsey Argentina Cockerell (5.02), Kayden Ann Dallas (4.98), Emma Jo Smith (4.93), River Watson Bonds (4.91), Landry Ann Bayless (4.83), Aurora Jean Figueira (4.83), Jaci Marissa Eppes (4.72), Carolina Limones (4.70), Dionicio Azuara, Jr. (4.63), Lillian Elizabeth-Jo McBean (4.55), Bradley Kahne Mabry (4.54), Avery Lynn Minze (4.41), Cameron Joshua Cockerell (4.40), Makenna Logan Eppes (4.40), Brianna Elizabeth McDonald (4.38), Mason James Daniel (4.36), Jake Allen White (4.33), Charlee Faith Brackens (4.33), Avie Grace Robinson (4.31), Jonathan Kipp Collins (4.26), Eric Escobedo (4.24), David Pierre Algood (4.24), Abril Michelle Ocampo (4.23), Emily Katherine Kent (4.22), Kaliyah Jinae Gasaway (4.21), Deyla Leann Morgan (4.20), Allie McKaye Hughes (4.18), Collin Quinton Glass (4.18), William Bragg Bonner (4.16), Cooper Nicole Craddick (4.15), Emma Grace White (4.14), Ruger Bill Long (4.10), Itzel Yadira Rosales (4.07), Evan Eugene Chavers (4.06), and La’Zariah Renea Robinson (4.03)
–Certificate of Academic Achievement to Salutatorian: Lily Katherin Beaver
–Certificate of Academic Achievement and State of Texas Honor Graduate Certificate to Valedictorian: Avery Love Thaler
–President’s Award for Education: (Certificate & Pin) David Algood, Dionicio Azuara, Jr., Landry Bayless, Lily Beaver, River Bonds, Bragg Bonner, Charlee Brackens, Evan Chavers, Cameron Cockerell, Linsey Cockerell, Kipp Collins, Cooper Craddick, Kayden Dallas, Mason Daniel, Marissa Eppes, Makenna Eppes, Eric Escobedo, Madysen Farris, Aurora Figueira, Kaliyah Gasaway, Collin Glass, Allie Hughes, Eashan Kalyanji, Emily Kent, Kennedy Lane, Carolina Limones, Ruger Long, Bradley Mabry, Caris Mayer, Lillian McBean, Brianna McDonald, Avery Minze, Madox Mitchael, Deyla Morgan, Abril Ocampo, Avie Robinson, La’Zariah Robinson, Itzel Rosales, Emma Jo Smith, Taylor Stone, Avery Thaler, Emma White, and Jake White
–Foundation Program with Endorsement: (Double Black & Gold Cords) Landry Acreman, Mariana Aguilera, Pierre Algood, Riley Antley, Zoey Archuletta, Dionicio Azuara, Jr., Dominic Baldwin, Collin Bancroft, Alessia Basden, Landry Bayless, Lily Beaver, River Bonds, Bryson Bonner, Bragg Bonner, Charlee Brackens, Colten Casey, Eli Castillo, Evan Chavers, Milagros Chavez, Aiden Cobb, Cameron Cockerell, Linsey Cockerell, Kipp Collins, Cooper Craddick, Regina Crowley, Kayden Dallas, Mason Daniel, Christian Davila, Guadalupe Davila, Wanda DeCluette, Monica Diaz, Destiny Dowell, Marissa Eppes, Makenna Eppes, Eric Escobedo, Chloe Ezell, Andrew Fantroy, Madysen Farris, Chayton Ferguson, Aurora Figueira, Kaliyah Gasaway, Collin Glass, Adan Gutierrez, Rowdy Hand, Colton Harvell, De’Monte Hudson, Allie Hughes, Gabriella Irteimeh, Joseph Johnson, Kenley Johnson, Tracy Johnson, Eashan Kalyanji, Emily Kent, Alyssa Kocher, Kennedy Lane, Stormy Langley, Luke Leatherman, Carolina Limones, Ruger Long, Bradley Mabry, Caris Mayer, Lillian McBean, Caden McCoy, Brianna McDonald, Lamya McGee, Steven Mclain, Jr., Zadie McPherson, Averi Minze, Madox Mitchael, Deyla Morgan, Kristavia Nelms, Abril Ocampo, Gabriel Ojeda-Arriaga, Jamarrion Pipkins, Itzayana Ramirez, Kristy Ramirez, Joseph Ramirez Rangel, Abigail Rieves, Avie Robinson, La’Zariah Robinson, Briseida Rodriguez, Yayson Rodriguez, Itzel Rosales, Jude Rounds, Jorge Santana, Kyler Schick, Aiden Sleziak, Emma Jo Smith, Taylor Stone, Avyana Terrades, Avery Thaler, Ethan Walker, Samuel Webb Rivera, Emma White, Jake White, Cyniyah Wiley, Brady Williams, Tinesha Williams, Damita Wimberly, and Davin Wimberly
–UIL Scholar Awards – Top 10% of Class: Lily Beaver, Linsey Cockerell, Kayden Dallas, Madysen Farris, Eashan Kalyanji, Kennedy Lane, Caris Mayer, Madox Mitchael, Emma Jo Smith, Taylor Stone, and Avery Thaler
–Red Cross: (Red Cords) Landry Acreman, Mariana Aguilera, Zoey Archuletta, Dionicio Azuara, Jr., Collin Bancroft, Landry Bayless, Lily Beaver, River Bonds, Charlee Brackens, Milagros Chaves, Aidan Cobb, Linsey Cockerell, Cooper Craddick, Regina Crowley, Jamie Cunningham, Mason Daniel, Christian Davila, Destiny Dowell, Marissa Eppes, Makenna Eppes, Madysen Farris, Aurora Figueira, Braela Habbit, Rowdy Hand, Colton Harvell, Gabriella Irteimeh, Eashan Kalyanji, Emily Kent, Alyssa Kocher, Luke Leatherman, Caris Mayer, Lillian McBean, Caden McCoy, Brianna McDonald, Madox Mitchael, Deyla Morgan, Kristavia Nelms, Abril Ocampo, Gabriel Ojeda-Arriaga, Jamarrion Pipkins, Kristy Ramirez, Abigail Rieves, Avie Robinson, Itzel Rosales, Jude Rounds, Aiden Sleziak, Emma Jo Smith, Avyana Terrades, Avery Thaler, and Emma White
SCHOLARSHIPS
Military Scholarships
–Unites States Navy Enlistment: $180,000 – Deyla Leann Morgan
Community Scholarships
–Fairfield Lions Club: $1,000 Each – Avery Minze and Emma White
–Fairfield Band Boosters: $600 Each – Linsey Cockerell, Kaliyah Gasaway, Emily Kent, and Damita Wimberly
–Fairfield Masonic Lodge #103: $500 Each – Landry Bayless, River Bonds, Aurora Figueira, and Tracy Johnson
–J.R. ‘Sonny’ Sessions Memorial: $500 – Bradley Mabry
–Freestone County Area Go Texan: $1,000 Each – Landry Bayless and Bragg Bonner
–Joe Lee Kirgan, Jr. Memorial for Girl’s Athletics: $1,500 – Avery Thaler
–Farmers State Bank: $500 Each – River Bonds, Cooper Craddick, and Bradley Mabry
–Nucor Community: $1,000 Each – River Bonds and Kayden Dallas
–Leatha Parker Memorial (FGWC/Fairfield History Club): $1,000 Each – Kayden Dallas and Averi Minze
–Jack & Margaret Ritter Memorial (FGWC/Fairfield History Club): $1,000 – Linsey Cockerell
–Community National Bank & Trust of Texas: $1,500 per year for four years, totaling $6,000 each – Lily Beaver and Averi Minze
–Rankin Gilpin Memorial: $500 per semester for 4 semesters, totaling $2,000 – Landry Bayless
–Standing Sober in Memory of Trent Staneart: $500 – Zoey Archuletta
–Eagle Flag Football: $500 Each – Evan Chavers, Cameron Cockerell, Mason Daniel, Rowdy Hand, and Jake White
–Fairfield Rotary Club Four Way Test Essay: $1,000 – Emma Jo Smith
–Fairfield Rotary Club J.E. Lott Memorial: $1,000 – Landry Bayless
–Incommons Bank of Fairfield Mickey Stubbs Memorial: $500 Each – Landry Bayless, Charlee Brackens, and Madox Mitchael
–Janette Loftis Memorial: $500 – Kayden Dallas
–Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs Fine Arts: $2,000 – Emma Jo Smith
–Freestone Credit Union: $750 Each – Regina Crowley, Kaliyah Gasaway, Ruger Long, and Aiden Sleziak
–Fairfield Young Farmers Jimmy Bonner Memorial: $1,250 – Makenna Eppes
–Fairfield Young Farmers Gus Steiner Memorial: $1,250 – Marissa Eppes
–Fairfield Young Farmers: $750 – Jake White
–Fairfield Young Farmers: $500 – River Bonds
–Freestone County Game Management: $1,000 Each – Bragg Bonner, Mason Daniel, Rowdy Hand, Ruger Long, Avie Robinson, and Brady Williams
–Fairfield Athletic Booster Club: $750 Each – Pierre Algood, Lily Beaver, River Bonds, Cameron Cockerell, Rowdy Hand, Kennedy Lane, Emma Jo Smith, Taylor Stone, and Avery Thaler
–Richland-Chambers Community Care Club: $1,500 Each – Pierre Algood and Kayden Dallas
–Kindness from Case Memorial: $1,000 Each – River Bonds, Charlee Brackens, and Brianna McDonald
–Ward Prairie Baptist Church: $500 – River Bonds
–Junior Lide Family Foundation: $10,000 Each – River Bonds, Marissa Eppes, and Makenna Eppes
–Trinity Star Arts Council: $1,000 Each – Destiny Dowell, Abril Ocampo, and Emma Jo Smith
–Bi-Stone County Aggie Moms Club: $500 – Caris Mayer
–Freestone County 4-H Adult Leaders: $$1,500 – River Bonds
–Freestone County 4-H Adult Leaders: $500 Each – Bragg Bonner and Jake White
–ALLen 4 Heroes: $1,000 Each – Mariana Aguilera, Cooper Craddick, Bradley Mabry, and Itzel Rosales
–Winkler Masonic Lodge: $1,000 Each – Pierre Algood, Landry Bayless, Mariss Eppes, and Averi Minze
–Dew Community Education Foundation: $750 – Pierre Algood
–South Freestone County Water Supply Corp: $1,000 – Ruger Long
–Evie Rischer: $500 Each – Kaliyah Gasaway and La’Zariah Robinson
–Pat & Faye Donovan Family Memorial: $1,200 – Cooper Craddick
–Jonathan Hardin Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution: $750 – Makenna Eppes
–Sunny Foundation: $2,500 Each – Lily Beaver, Averi Minze, Avie Robinson, and Taylor Stone
–Freestone County Historical Commission Heritage: $500 – Zoey Archuletta
–Cypress Creek Renewables Energizing Tomorrow’s Leaders: $1,000 Each – Evan Chavers, Tracy Johnson, Kennedy Lane, and Avery Thaler
–Dogan Alumni Association: $1,500 – Charlee Brackens
–Cotton Gin Masonic Lodge #154 of Kirvin: $500 – River Bonds
–Dallas Scottish Right Library and Museum, Inc: $1,500 – Evan Chavers
–Fairfield HS Agriculture: $1,000 – Ruger Long
–Long Industries Ag Mechanics: $1,000 Each – River Bonds and Ruger Long
–Diamond Youth Baseball: $1,000 – Kipp Collins
–FISD Education Foundation: $500 Each – Charlee Brackens, Cooper Craddick, Kaliya Gasaway, Rowdy Hand, Eashan Kalyanji, Alyssa Kocher, Kennedy Lane, Madox Mitchael, Abril Ocampo, Avie Robinson, La’Zariah Robinson, Emma Jo Smith, and Taylor Stone
–Smoaky’s Academic All-Stars: $1,000 – Avery Thaler
–Jessica Marie Gillian Memorial: $1,000 – Charlee Brackens
–Pageantry: to Kaden Dallas the following – Pinnacle Club Silver $1,000; Best of Texas Overall $250; Miss Buffalo Stampede $750: and Miss Freestone Sponsorship Award $500 – Totaling $2,500
–Pageantry: to Marissa Eppes the following – Pinnacle Club Bronze $500; Non-Finalist Fitness $250; Miss Freestone County Runner Up $500; Miss Fall Frolic $500 – Totaling $1,750
–Pageantry: to Makenna Eppes the following – Pinnacle Club Bronze $500; Texas’ Teen Top 10 Finalist $500; Miss Freestone Runner Up $500; and Miss Buffalo Stampede’s Teen $750 – Totaling $2,250
–Blackhat Education Foundation: $1,000 – Rowdy Hand
–The Butcher’s Choice: $500 Each – Kayden Dallas and Taylor Stone
–Waste Connections: $1,000 Each – Rowdy Hand and Colton Harvell
–I Will Sit With You In The Dark: $500 – Kaliyah Gasaway
–Neill and Barbara Bass: $3,577 – Eashan Kalyanji
–Lyle Red Memorial: $2,500 Each – Linsey Cockerell, Madysen Farris, Ruger Long, and La’Zariah Robinson
–Charles Machemeh: $1,200 – Cooper Craddick
–Fairfield Girls Little Dribblers: $500 Each – Charlee Brackens and Kristavia Nelms
–Jerry Pruitt Memorial Athletic: $500 – Allie Hughes
–Fairfield Chamber of Commerce: $1,000 Each – Landry Bayless and Emma Jo Smith
–Freestone County Farm Bureau: $1,000 Each – Landry Bayless and Makenna Eppes
–Stephenson-Perona: $15,000 – Avery Thaler
State & National Industry Scholarships
–Texas Rural Water Foundation: $2,000 – Averi Minze
–Teagle Foundation L.R. Raymond: $1,000 Each – Marissa Eppes and Makenna Eppes
–Fellowship of Christian Athletes Burton Lawless FCA: $250 Each – Evan Chavers and Avery Thaler
–Navasota Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc.: $1,000 – Rowdy Hand
–NRG Energy Jewett ecoNRG Environmental: $1,000 Each – River Bonds and Evan Chavers
–Texas High School Powerlifting Association 2024 THSPA: $1,250 – Eli Castillo
–Miss Texas Scholarship Foundation Change Maker: $250 – Makenna Eppes
–Miss Texas Scholarship Foundation Heart to Heart Foundation Healthcare Heroes: $250 – Makenna Eppes
–Fairfield VFW Voice of Democracy: $200 – Madysen Farris
–Texas High School Bass Association Centra Division: $3,125 – Ruger Long
–American Valor Foundation 2024 Chris Kyle Memorial: $5,000 – Pierre Algood
–National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award – Emma Jo Smith
College & University Scholarships
–University of Houston Full Athletic: $6,297 per semester for eight semesters, totaling $50,376 – Madox Mitchael
–University of Houston Academic Excellence: $2,000 per semester for eight semesters, totaling $16,000 – Madox Mitchael. This, added to the above scholarship totals $66,376 for Madox to play softball for the University.
–Tarleton State University President’s Guaranteed Award Program: $1,000 per year for four years, totaling $4,000 – Landry Bayless
–University of Arkansas New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition: $17,000 per year for four years, totaling $68,000 – Mason Daniel
–Hesston College Academic: $12,000 per year for four years, totaling $48,000 – Pierre Algood
–Hesston College Athletic: $9,000 per year for four years, totaling $36,000 – Pierre Algood. This, added to the above scholarship totals $84,000. Pierre will be playing Basketball at the College.
–Stephen F. Austin State University Academic Excellence: $5,000 per year for four years, totaling $20,000 – Taylor Stone
–Tarleton State University President’s Guaranteed Award Program: $1,000 per year for four years, totaling $4,000 – Avery Minze
–Abilene Christian University A.B. Barret Award for Academic Excellence: $17,000 per year for four years, totaling $68,000 – Zoey Archuletta
–Blinn College’s Music Department Instrumental: $1,900 per semester for four semesters, totaling $7,600 – Damita Wimberly
–Oklahoma State University Out-of-State Achievement: $6,000 per year for four years, totaling $24,000 – Evan Chavers
–Tarleton State University President’s Guaranteed Award Program: $500 per year for four years, totaling $2,000 – Makenna Eppes
–Ranger College Cross Country: $3,422 per semester for four semesters, totaling $13,688 – Landry Acreman
–Stephen F. Austin Academic Excellence: $2,500 per year for four years, totaling $10,000 – Lily Beaver
–Texas State Technical College Skilled Trades 3M Transformational: $1,000 – Colton Harvell
–Tarleton State University President’s Guaranteed Award Program: $1,000 per year for four years, totaling $4,000 – Marissa Eppes
–Palm Beach Atlantic University President’s: $18,000 per year for four years, totaling $72,000 – Cameron Cockerell
–Stephen F. Austin State University Academic Excellence: $5,000 per year for four years, totaling $20,000 – Emma Jo Smith
–Jacksonville College Athletic: $4,000 per semester for four semesters, totaling $16,000 – Allie Hughes. She will be playing golf for the College.
–Abilene Christian University Full Athletic: $60,000 per year for four years, totaling $240,000 – Avery Thaler. She will be playing volleyball for the University.
Fairfield High School Scholarships
–Beta Club in Memory of Jonya Anderson Schuman: $500 Each – Dionicio Azuara, Jr. and Kayden Dallas
–Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America Culinary Arts: $500 Each – Alyssa Kocher and Devin Rischer
–Social Studies Department in Memory of Ms. Linda Melontree: $120 – La’Zariah Robinson
–Eagle Publication Yearbook: $100 Each – Lily Beaver, Charlee Brackens, and Emma Jo Smith
–Agriculture Department Horticulture Club: $200 Each – Charlee Brackens, Milagros Chavez, Kennedy Lane, and Averi Minze
–Sally Rose Awalt Media Center: $100 Each – Lily Beaver and Emma Jo Smith
–Drama Club: $600 – Emma Jo Smith
–Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE): $200 Each – Lily Beaver, Evan Chavers, Kipp Collins, Cooper Craddick, Destiny Dowell, Rowdy Hand, Alyssa Kocher, Kennedy Lane, Bradley Mabry, and Taylor Stone
–Fairfield Rotary Interact Club: $250 Each – Avie Robinson and Emma Jo Smith
–Fellowship of Christian Athletes: $350 Each – Lily Beaver, River Bonds, Evan Chavers, Kennedy Lane and Avery Thaler
–Student Council Representative & Volunteer: $150 Each – Linsey Cockerell, Madysen Farris, and Madox Mitchael
–Student Council Representative & Volunteer: $250 – Eashan Kalyanji
–Student Council Volunteer: $250 – Deyla Morgan
–Student Council Representative, Officer, & Current President: $300 – Emma Jo Smith
–Student Council Representative & Officer: $200 – Avery Thaler
–Recycle Department: $500 – Mason Daniel
–Helyn Kay Williams in Lieu of Retirement Rocking Chair: $300 – Eashan Kalyanji
–Bill Capers in Lieu of Retirement Rocking Chair: $300 – Aurora Figueira
CITIZENSHIP AWARDS
–Hayward Eatmon – Evan Chavers
–Dennis Gilbreath Memorial – Taylor Stone
–Brison Hearron Memorial – River Bonds
–Ben Capps, Jr. – Lily Beaver
–Beverly Ivy Gamble – Avery Thaler
–Sally Rose Awalt Spirit of Fairfield High – Emma Jo Smith
Congratulations to the Fairfield Class of 2024 on a job well done!
Pictured at top: Awarded Fairfield High School Citizenship Honors for 2024 are (left-right): Evan Chavers – Hayward Eastmon Citizenship Award; Taylor Stone – Dennis Gilbreath Memorial Citizenship Award; Lily Beaver – Ben Capps Jr. Citizenship Award; Avery Thaler – Beverly Ivy Gamble Citizenship Award; Emma Jo Smith – Sally Rose Awalt, Spirit of Fairfield High Award; and River Bonds – Brinson Hearron Memorial Citizenship Award.
(Photos by Natalia V. Marsters)
