2016 honor students familiar duo for PHS

The honor students for Pawhuska High School’s Class of 2016, valedictorian Karissa Hughes and salutatorian Stephanie Clifton, have been spending a lot of time together lately — but that really isn’t anything new.

In addition to their longstanding friendship, the PHS seniors have been involved, for years, in many of the same sporting activities.

Last week, Hughes and Clifton were scheduled to be named honorary mayor and honorary vice mayor at the annual Senior Honors Luncheon hosted by the city of Pawhuska. The event had to canceled, however. It seems the honorees were busy competing in Oklahoma’s Class 4A Regional Tennis Tournament at Tulsa Racket Club.

Clifton and Hughes were playing singles in the Monday tournament. (Both finished fifth, just one place shy of advancing to state.). The extra-active pair constitute the No. 1 doubles team of the Lady Huskies, as well. They also were four-year starters for the Lady Huskie soccer team.

Hughes is the daughter of a former PHS soccer coach, Gary Hughes. Clifton is the daughter of David and Susan Clifton.

The two top honor students are due further recognition May 23 at the school district’s Val-Sal Honor Dinner.

Pawhuska High’s Senior Dinner was hosted Tuesday evening by the Pawhuska Elks Lodge. On Thursday, May 19, the PHS Huskies Sports Banquet also will be held at the Elks Lodge, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Earlier in the day on May 19, the Pawhuska High School Awards Assembly is scheduled for Oren Terrill Field House.

Another end-of-school-year event, the FFA Banquet, is set for Tuesday evening, May 17, and an FFA Cookout will be on Tuesday, May 24. Baccalaureate exercises are scheduled Sunday, May 22. The Val-Sal Honor Dinner will be Monday, May 23, and the last day of classes Pawhuska Public Schools is Thursday, May 26.

Commencement exercises for the PHS Class of 2016 will be Friday, May 27, at Ormand Beach Memorial Stadium.