YORKVILLE — Buckeye Local High School will hold its commencement ceremony for the class of 2024 at 6 p.m. Friday at World War II Stadium in Yorkville.

In case of inclement weather, graduation will be moved to the high school.

The valedictorians include Cassandra Burkhead, Andrew Devore, Kaitlynn Merkel, Elizabeth Stock and Jasmine Yohe. The highest honor students are Samantha Ankrom, Thomas Beranek, Megan Burrier, McKenna Dutton, Kiarra Eastham, Noah Jock, Raygan Lengyel, Brynn McKeever, Abigail Meeker and Gavyn Romanyak.

Cassandra Burkhead is the daughter of Amy Burkhead and the older sister of Amber Burkhead of Rayland. She is a part of the National Honor Society, where she serves as treasurer. She is also a member of the Foreign Language Club, Senior Class Executive Committee, Science Club, Merit Scholar, and Mock Trial.

She is a member of the bowling team, where she lettered for two years. She is also in the BLHS Panther marching and concert band, where she was awarded Outstanding Musician for three years.

She worked at ABC Lawn Care and currently works at the local Dairy Queen. Aside from working, she also participates in some volunteer work, not only for projects with NHS, but also at Buckeye Local South Elementary’s extended learning center outside of school. As a member of the Wells Township Summer Swim Team, she also volunteers to help young beginner swimmers with their lessons.

After graduation, she plans to attend Bethany College to major in biology. With this, she will further her studies in animal science in hopes of having a career as a veterinarian.

Andrew Devore is the son of Randi Conaway and Gary Devore. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Class Executive Committee, Foreign Language Club, and Mock Trial. He is also a Varsity Letterman in basketball and band.

He is a member of the Boy Scouts, where he has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. This honor is rare and took countless service projects and volunteer hours.

After graduation, he will attend Kent State University to pursue a degree in exercise physiology.

Kaitlynn Merkel is the daughter of Jason and Heather Merkel and the sister of Brianna Merkel of Rayland. She is the vice president of the Student Council and Officer of the Class of 2024. She is a member of the Foreign Language Club, National Honor Society, and Science Club and a Merit Scholar. Within these clubs, she has volunteered at town cleanups, blood drives and many other activities. She has also lettered in band and academics.

She has been involved in 4-H for 13 years and is president of the Country Rangers 4-H Club. She is the 2023 Jefferson County Fair queen, a camp counselor, a member of the Junior Leader and Junior Fair Board. She is the 4-H youth representative on the Jefferson County Extension Advisory Committee.

After graduation, she will attend The Ohio State Agricultural Technical Institute to pursue a bachelor’s degree in animal science/bioscience. After she obtains her bachelor’s degree, she will apply to veterinary school with the goal of becoming a large/farm animal veterinarian.

Elizabeth Stock is the daughter of Albert and Amy Stock of Brilliant. She has four older siblings: Kayla, Charles, Andy and Emily Everson. Elizabeth serves as the vice president of the National Honor Society and co-president of the Foreign Language Club. She is a member of Merit Scholar, has achieved Highest Honors and participates in Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Class of 2024 Executive Committee, Science Club, and Unified Sports. Her past activities include the Art Club, Book Club, and Mock Trial.

Elizabeth has lettered in basketball, track, and academics. She is an active participant in the theater department and starred as the lead in the play “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” Her awards include Student of the Month and winning the Americanism test. Additionally, Elizabeth proudly held the title of Queen of Queens.

Upon graduation, Elizabeth plans to attend Muskingum University to major in education, with the goal of becoming a teacher and eventually obtaining her master’s degree.

Jasmine Yohe is the daughter of Amanda and Travis Stewart and the older sister of Chasity, Dominic and Trenton Stewart of Yorkville. Jasmine is the vice president of the Foreign Language Club and secretary of the National Honor Society. She is also a member of her class’s Executive Committee, Student Council, Science Club, Mock Trial, Merit Scholar and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She was also one of Buckeye Local’s 2023 Girl’s State delegates, where she served as her city’s auditor.

She has been a four-year member of the Panther Bowling Team, lettering for three years. She has been a member of the volleyball team for six years. She is a one-year letter of the Buckeye Local Track and Field Team where she threw the shot and discus.

Outside of school, she is a nine-year member of Black Diamond Girl Scouts. There she helped lead younger troops, complete badge work and earned awards. She has also been a six-year member of her 4-H club, Warren Ridge Wranglers. Over the years, she has served on the club’s litter committee and as the club’s Secretary and President. She has also placed for many still projects at both county and state level. Jasmine has completed an array of volunteer work and community service besides all of her activities. She has also worked at the Rayland Dairy Queen for two years.

Upon graduation, she will attend Kent State University to pursue a degree in speech pathology and audiology with hopes of becoming a pediatric speech therapist.

Highest Honors:

Samantha Ankrom is the daughter of Jodi Miller and the late David “Farmer” Ankrom. She is planning to major in nursing at Bethany College this fall.

Thomas Beranek is the son of Carl and Sara Beranek. After graduation, he will attend Youngstown State University to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.

Megan Burrier is the daughter of Joe and Denise Burrier. She will attend West Virginia Northern majoring in radiology in the fall.

McKenna Dutton is the daughter of Harry and Rebecca Dutton. In the fall, she will attend Cleveland State University majoring in neuroscience as a pre-med student.

Kiarra Eastham is the daughter of Roger Eastham, Ashley Bradley, and Valerie Arnold. She is planning to attend Muskingum University to major in education.

Noah Jock is the son of Patrick and Shayna Jock. To further his education, he will attend Kent State University to pursue a career in architecture.

Raygan Lengyel is the daughter of Jeffery and Jeannette Lengyel. She will attend Miami University to study nutrition.

Brynn McKeever is the daughter of Charles and Brooke Stingle. She will be pursuing a degree in exercise science at Marshall University after graduation.

Abigail Meeker is the daughter of Kellie Howard. After graduation, she will attend West Liberty University to study business and graphic design.

Gavyn Romanyak is the son of Bryon and Courtney Romanyak and John and Carina Aulicino. He will attend Franciscan University to major in mechanical engineering and continue his baseball career.

The BLHS Class of 2024 includes:

Coda Anderson

Samantha Ankrom

Damien Armbruster

Carson Basich

Adam Beranek

Thomas Beranek

Jacob Berry

Hayden Binkiewicz

Jace Braun

Logan Briggs

Ashley Brown

Haylee Brown

Cassandra Burkhead

Megan Burrier

Hayden Caldwell

Alexander Carothers

Dakota Carpenter

Christopher Corona

Madison Cost

Nathan Crawford

Noah Crawford

Zane Cunningham

Mark DeLeonardis

Blaze Dennis

Andrew Devore

Jaylyn DiLoreto

Shelby Doty

McKenna Dutton

Kiarra Eastham

Skyler Ebright

Jonathon Eddy

Serenity Edwards

Brandon Ensell

Destiny Gaffney

Cooper Grabits

Richard Green

Kayden Guyer

Kaylin Henderson

Shyann Higgins

Jarryn Hill

Pacey Hill

Ian Hojonski

Shayleigh Hornyak

Bryce Horvath

Dominic Hrancho

Justin Imer

Kaitlyn Jarrell

Noah Jock

Charles Johnston

Kacey Kale

Pamela Kandrach

Abbigail Keenan

Ryder Kindberg-Colabelli

Morgan Kinder

Logan Kinkus

Joseph Koran

Noah Kourim

Olivia Kovalski

Isabella Krulcik

Lexas Lashhorn

Aydin Lawson

Raygan Lengyel

George Lindsay

Emma Long

Nathan Long

Adam McCloud

Chase McFadden

Brynn McKeever

Kristopher McVicker

Michael McWhorter

Jesse Meddles

Abigail Meeker

Kaitlynn Merkel

Blake Miller

Melina Monogioudis

Denvar Nelson

Anthony Parrish

Kaylup Payne

Isabella Polen

Morgan Richardson

Brayden Risdon

Gavyn Romanyak

Maggie Sabo

Conner Scott

Ryan Scott

Landon Sgalla

Nyja Short

Cloe Solomon

Dallas Sproull

Kierra Starcher

Hunter Starr

Ryan Stigler

Elizabeth Stock

Zackery Strauss

Jazmine Strohmeyer

Jace Tetley

Dakota Turner

Dylon Tustin

Cesar Vaca

Felipe Vaca

Damion Vanchure

Roger VanGosen

Drake Vasconcellos

Ashton Vossen

Katelyn Vossen

Hailey Wade

Kailyn Weaver

Madison Wilt

Eric Woods

Andrew Worwa

Sydnee Yanok

Jasmine Yohe

Tessah Zeroski