Approximately 450 county students to graduate

The caps, gowns and tassels are about to go on for students at high schools in Rusk, Jacksonville, Alto, Wells and New Summerfield.

Whether their future includes college, trade school, the military or employment, more than 450 students in Cherokee County are about to embark on the journey that will define the people they become over the course of their lives.

Three graduation ceremonies will occur on May 29 at the Wells High School gymnasium, the Tomato Bowl in Jacksonville, and the New Summerfield cafetorium.

Graduation in Alto will take place on May 30 at Jacket Stadium.

In Rusk, the ceremony will take place June 6 at Eagle Stadium.

Regardless of the venue, county graduates can take pride in the fact that they have achieved the first goal in a long list of upcoming achievements in life.

Graduation in Cherokee County will start Friday night in Jacksonville, Wells and New Summerfield.

New Summerfield will start the county graduation ceremonies at 7 p.m. in the school cafetorium. There are 34 seniors slated to receive their diplomas.

The valedictorian is Julie Suarez, daughter of Jose and Maria Suarez. She plans to attend Tyler Junior College before moving on to Stephen F. Austin State University.

The salutatorian is Yeni Rosalba Rubio, daughter of Jose and Alicia Rubio. She plans to attend Tyler Junior College.

Jacksonville will hold their ceremonies on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Tomato Bowl, honoring 245 seniors in the graduating class of 2009.

In case of rain, the ceremony will be moved to the Lon Morris College gymnasium.

The valedictorian is Christopher Chilton, son of Gene and Jeni Chilton. He plans to attend Texas A&M.

The salutatorian is Callie Slovacek, daughter of James and Cindy Slovacek. She plans to attend Baylor University.

Meanwhile, in Wells, 17 graduating seniors will receive their diplomas. The ceremony will start at 8 p.m. at the Wells High School gym.

Bailey Corley is valedictorian of the class and Angeles Hernandez is salutatorian.

This Saturday, Alto honors their class of 2009 in ceremonies at Jacket Stadium.

The valedictorian is Jared Moore, son of Ted and Betty Moore, who plans to attend Texas A&M University.

The salutatorian is Isabelle Threlkeld, who also plans to attend Texas A&M. Her guardian is Connie Perryman.

The third-ranking student is Kaylan Thacker, daughter of Kay Lofton. She plans to attend Sam Houston State University.

Graduation ceremonies will be held at 8 p.m. on June 6 at Eagle Stadium on the campus of Rusk High School. In case of rain, the ceremony will be moved to the school auditorium.

Rusk's class of 2009 has 122 graduating seniors set to receive their diplomas.

This year's valedictorian is Kala Michelle Finley, daughter of Lindy and Kenny Finley. She plans to attend Texas A&M.

The salutatorian is Andrew Michael Bennette, son of Kelly Bennette, who also plans to attend Texas A&M.

The third-ranking student is Kebra Renee Monk, daughter of Traci and Wayne Monk, who plans to attend Tyler Junior College.