Pleasant Grove High announces Top 10 graduates
Simren Pokhrel, the valedictorian of the 2021 graduating class of Pleasant Grove High School, is the daughter of Sushil and Pooja Pokhrel.
She is a member of the President’s Education Excellence Awards Program, a member of the University Interscholastic League Scholars Program, a member of the University Interscholastic League Scholars Program, Top 10% of her class and graduated with endorsements. Simren is a member of the National Honor Society and a member of Gift and Talented.
She is a graduate of Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leader program and competed in the 2020-2021 Congressional district meet. She is a member of Keyettes, Student Council, National Arts Honor Society and serves as treasurer.
Simren received the 2020 AP Scholar with Honors Award, the 2020 AP U.S. History Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, the 2019 AP Spanish Language and Culture Outstanding Achievement Award, the 2018 Spanish 3 Honors and the English 1 Honors Outstanding Academic Award.
She was the 2019 and 2020 Articulate Gold Medalist in Art, and was awarded the 2019 Scholastic Art and Writing Silver Key Award. She received the 2018 Pleasant Grove Art Show Emergent Award, the 2018 Visual Art Scholastic Event State Medalist Award and the 2018 and 2019 Pleasant Grove Board of Trustees Certificate of Recognition Award.
She also received the 2021 Outstanding Academic Award for AP U.S. Government and AP Design,the 2021 Environmental Science Award and was named to the Outstanding Academic Hall of Fame for Social Studies. She is a member of the Lady Hawk Soccer Team and is president of the Everest Youth Club.
Simren serves her community by participating in Keyette and Student Council community projects such as Race for the Cure, Randy Sams Shelter volunteer and Harvest Texarkana. Simren received the Presidential Scholarship from A&MTexarkana, the Louisiana Tech and Bull Dog Scholarship from Louisiana Tech University, the Presidential Scholarship from Rhodes College and the President’s Honors Scholarship from Texas State University.
Simren plans to attend Texas State University and major either in Biology or Engineering.
Emma Kate Sanderson, the salutatorian of the 2021 graduating class of Pleasant Grove High School, is the daughter of Chuck and Amy Sanderson.
She is a member of the President’s Education Excellence Awards Program, a member of the University Interscholastic League Scholars Program, Top 10% of her class and graduated with endorsements. Emma is a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the National Art Honor Society, a member of Keyettes, a member of Student Council, a member of the PG K-12 and a member of Gifted and Talented.
Emma is a graduate of Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leaders, received the 2018 Outstanding Academic Award for Geometry, the 2019 Outstanding Academic Award for Drawing 2, the 2020 AP World History Award, the 2021 Drawing AP Award and the 2021 English 4 Honors Dual Credit Award. She received the US Scholastic Art and Writing Silver Key Award in 2019, 2020 and 2021and has been a published artist in Celebrate Art 4 times.
She is a member of the Rotary Youth Leadership Association. She is a fouryear member of the Lady Hawk Varsity Soccer Team and has received several district soccer awards, such as First Team Defender 2020, All Academic Team 2020 and 2021, Second Team Defender 2019 and Co-Defensive MVP 2021.
Emma serves her community by volunteering at her church teaching preschool and youth groups and participating in Keyette and Student Council projects such as Race for the Cure, Randy Sams Shelter volunteer and Harvest Texarkana volunteer. Emma received the Academic Scholarship to Louisiana State University and the Academic Excellence Scholarship to Mississippi State University.
Emma plans to attend Louisiana State University and major in Graphic Design.
Delia Ruth Tuttlebee graduated third in the 2021 graduating class of Pleasant Grove High School and is the daughter of Andy and Eliza Tuttlebee.
She is a member of the President’s Education Excellence Awards Program, a member of the University Interscholastic League Scholars Program, Top 10% of her class and graduated with endorsements.
Delia is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, a member of Gifted and Talented and received the Who’s Who Overall Excellence Award. She is Co-Editor of the Edge Newspaper, Senior Class President, a member of Keyettes, a member of the PG K-12 and a graduate of Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leaders.
Delia received the All State Journalism Award, the 2021 Outstanding Academic Award in Newspaper and was named to the 2021 Outstanding Academic Hall of Fame for Journalism. She was also named the Texas high school newspaper Editor of the Year by ILPC.
Delia is the captain of the Lady Hawks Soccer Team and captain of the Cross Country Team. She was named 2018 District Soccer Newcomer of the Year and received District Awards in 2019, 2020 and 2021, including being named the District Soccer Offensive MVP in 2020.
She also is the second alltime scorer in Lady Hawk soccer history. Delia is very involved in Grafted Student Ministries, where she has served her community through projects such as the 6K for Water and World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine. Delia has also participated in service projects through Keyettes and Student Council. Delia received the Wilbur Youth Leadership Award from Leadership Texarkana as well as scholarships from Mississippi College, Rhodes College, Berry College, Calvin University and Wheaton College.
Delia plans to attend Mississippi College and major in Psychology.
Tucker Thomas Anderson graduated fourth in the 2021 graduating class of Pleasant Grove High School and is the son of Kurt and Jan Anderson.
He is a member of the President’s Education Excellence Awards Program, a member of the University Interscholastic League Scholars Program, Top 10% of his class and graduated with endorsements He is a member of the National Honor Society, a member of Gifted and Talented.
Tucker received the 20192020 Outstanding Academic Achievement Award in AP English, the 2021 Outstanding Academic Award in Physics Honors and Independent Studies in Trigonometry and was named to the 2021 Academic Hall of Fame for English Language Arts.
He is a member of the Hawk Varsity Baseball team. He was named 2019 First Team All District Designated Hitter.
Tucker serves his community by coaching and training local athletes in various age groups at Swing Lab Speed and Agility Camp. He is the co-owner of Anderson Brother’s Lawn Care where he is active in overseeing all operations and transactions involving business in the community.
Tucker received the Presidential Scholarship to Ouachita Baptist University and will be playing baseball for the University. Tucker plans to major in Biology for Pre-Med.
Jared Cason Head graduated fifth in the 2021 graduating class of Pleasant Grove High School and is the son of Jason and Jennifer Head.
He is member of the President’s Education Excellence Awards Program, a member of the University Interscholastic League Scholars Program, Top 10% of his class and graduated with endorsements. He is a member of the National Honor Society, a member of HOSA, serving as treasurer, and serves as 2018-2021 Head Student Athletic Trainer.
Jared was chosen as Student of the Month for January 2021. He placed third for Medalist in National History Day presentation at Texas A&M-Texarkana. Jared was awarded the 2021 Outstanding Academic Award for Chemistry Dual Credit and for Calculus Dual Credit. Jared received the Presidential Scholarship for Texas A&M-Texarkana, the Academic Achievement Scholarship for Lubbock Christian University, the Presidential Scholarship for Abilene Christian University and the Regents Scholarship for Stephen F. Austin University.
Jared plans to attend Stephen F. Austin University and major in Biochemistry and minor in Biology and Spanish.
Katherine Ann Ferguson graduated sixth in the 2021 graduating class of Pleasant Grove High School and is the daughter of Dr. Chris and Jana Ferguson.
She is is a member of the President’s Education Excellence Awards Program, a member of the University Interscholastic League Scholars Program, Top 10% of her class and graduated with endorsements.
She is a member of National Honor Society, a member of Gifted and Talented, a member of Student Council and a member of PG K-12. Katherine is a graduate of Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leader program. She received scholarships from the University of Alabama, Baylor University, Ouachita Baptist University, Oklahoma State University and Texas A&M-Texarkana.
Katie plans to attend the University of Alabama and major in Biology.
Carson Douglas Rhodes graduated seventh in the 2021 graduating class of Pleasant Grove High School and is the son of Doug and Rita Rhodes. He is a member of the President’s Education Excellence Awards Program, a member of the University Interscholastic League Scholars Program, Top 10% of her class and graduated with endorsements.
He is a member of National Honor Society, a member of Gifted and Talented, a member of Student Council, a member of Leadership Class and a member of PG K-12.
Carson is a graduate of Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leader program, a member of the Varsity Hawk Baseball team and has earned his Eagle Scout status. Carson received the Texas A&MTexarkana Eagle Elite Scholarship, the Academic Excellence Scholarship from Stephen F. Austin University and the Bill Scudder Memorial Scholarship.
Carson plans to attend Stephen F. Austin State University and major in Exercise Science and later attend Physical Therapy school.
Jaden Travis Parker graduated eighth in the 2021 graduating class of Pleasant Grove High School and is the son of Melvin and Virginia Parker.
He is a member of the President’s Education Excellence Awards Program, a member of the University Interscholastic League Scholars Program, Top 10% of his class and graduated with endorsements. He is a member of the National Honor Society, and PG K-12.
Jaden has received several career and technology certifications and has participated in UIL Film for three years. He is a state qualifier team member for the 2020 Texas A&M History Day project.
He is a four-year member of Hawk Baseball and a four-year member of Hawk Football, earning a state championship in 2019 and a state runner up in 2018. He was named Football Second Team Academic All State recognition in 2020.
Jaden serves his community as a Junior Patrol Leader in Trail Life USA helping train younger members in basic survival skills and Christian principles. He has worked on community church construction projects and continues to assist with yard clean-up for elders in his local neighborhood.
He plans to attend Stephen F. Austin State University in the fall to study Political Science and Pre-Law.
Connor Anderson Damron graduated ninth in the 2021 graduating class of Pleasant Grove High School and is the son of Mark and Amy Damron.
He is a member of the President’s Education Excellence Awards Program, a member of the University Interscholastic League Scholars Program, Top 10% of his class and graduated with endorsements He is a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the National Art Honor Society, a member of Gifted and Talented and a member of PG K-12.
He was selected by Leadership Texarkana for Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leaders program. He was a member of the Varsity Soccer Team and named First Team All District his junior year. He was a member of the Varsity Cross Country team his freshman year.
Connor serves his community by working with the youth in conjunction with the Pleasant Grove Youth Association and Texarkana Soccer Association. He is a member of First Baptist Church and employed as a lifeguard at the Sportsplex. Connor received a scholarship from the University of Central Arkansas where he will attend in the fall with plans to major in Biology.
Lucas Dale Edwards graduated 10th in the 2021 graduating class of Pleasant Grove High School and is the son of Christopher and Kimberly Edwards.
He is a member of the President’s Education Excellence Awards Program, a member of the University Interscholastic League Scholars Program, Top 10% of his class and graduated with endorsements. He is a member of the National Honor Society, a member of Gifted and Talented, a member of PG K-12 and a member of Student Council.
Lucas was named to the 2021 Outstanding Academic Hall of Fame for Science. He was the U.S. Presidential Scholars Career and Technical Education nominee, a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Program, Student of the Month for September 2020 and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, earning 29 college hours while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
He is a Science UIL Regional qualifier and is a member of HOSA. He is a four-time Cross Country Regional Qualifier and the 2018 Cross Country District runner up. He serves as team captain of the Hawks 2021 Varsity Soccer and was named First Team Academic All State, AllAcademic Team Player of the Year for 2021 and First Team All District for 2021.
Lucas serves his community by being an AWANA Student Leader, an active member of Cross Pointe Baptist Church and working with youth serving as Boys Soccer Coach for the Texarkana Soccer Association. Lucas received the Texas A&M-Texarkana Presidential Scholarship and academic scholarships from Baylor University, University of Central Arkansas and Evangel University.
Lucas will be attending Baylor University with plans to double major in Health Science Studies (Pre-PT) and Psychology.