The valedictorian and salutatorian of the Coahoma High School graduating Class of 2022 is Karissa LaNell Beeman and Katelyn Johnson respectively.
Karissa is the daughter of Valarie and Jeremy Hart and Mark and Tanya Beeman.
She was very active in extracurricular activities during her years at CHS and served in several leadership roles. Karissa is a member of the Big Red Band and served as the clarinet section leader, uniform captain, and was the president of the band council. During her senior year, she was the president of the Coahoma FFA and the National Honor Society. She also participated in athletics.
Karissa was named the Student of the Month by the Rotary Club in November of 2020, and made the Howard College President’s List in 2021. She received the Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award and was elected Band Sweetheart this year.
Karissa advises students entering into high school to remember to be kind and selfless in how you relate to others.
“Becoming selfless is the best thing you can do,” she said. “People remember kindness and how you treat them. Enjoy every moment that you have at Coahoma ISD. Do not wish away any time that you have, because time flies.”
Be Kind is the motto Karissa said she lives by.
“We need more kindness in the world,” she said. “Jesus showed kindness to those that didn't even deserve it. One act of kindness can change someone's life.”
In the fall, Karissa will head to Tarleton State University to major in early childhood education. She plans to become a second grade teacher.
Katelyn Johnson is the daughter of Carrie and Brian Johnson. Katelyn was one of the senior leaders of the 2022 district and bi-district Bulldogette basketball team. She also participated in tennis and golf. Katelyn was active in the National Honor Society, student council, class council, Coahoma FFA, and yearbook.
She was named to the District 5-3A All-District Basketball team in 2022, and was named the Kim and Kathy CHS Athletic Scholar in 2022. She was also made the All-Academic Basketball team in 2022.
Katelyn’s advice to young students is to “never give up and never listen to what others think of you! Just try your best,” and she lives by the motto you ‘only live once’ (YOLO).
Following graduation, Katelyn plans to attend Texas Tech University in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s in education and then a masters in school counseling.
Coahoma High School will hold graduation ceremonies at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19, 2022, at the Bill Easterling Memorial Stadium.