PHS valedictorian, salutatorian for 2021 named
Pawhuska Public Schools has identified its valedictorian and salutatorian for the 2020-21 academic year. Amadeaus Reeves is the valedictorian for the Class of 2021, and Jozelyn Brace is the salutatorian.
Reeves is the son of Daniel and Emily Brown Reeves. Brace is the daughter of Josh and Stacey Brace. Graduation is scheduled for Friday, May 14.
Unlike 2020, when the Pawhuska School District delayed graduation out of concern regarding the transmission of COVID-19, the schedule of events is expected to follow the traditional pattern this year.
As a result of having been designated valedictorian and salutatorian, Reeves and Brace were also chosen to be honored as Mayor and Vice Mayor of the city of Pawhuska for a day. Their day as honorary municipal officials was to be Tuesday, April 27.
Interim City Manager Tonya Bright said city government planned to provide briefings by department heads for the benefit of the students. Reeves and Brace were also to be guests of Mayor Roger Taylor and other members of the Pawhuska City Council for a luncheon at the Community Center, and to be the recipients of plaques during a 5:30 p.m. Council meeting.
Other events being held as the school year draws to a close include the PHS All Sports Banquet, scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, May 3, at the Pawhuska Elks Lodge.
As a result of changes to the school district’s policies regarding COVID-19, it has been announced that a traditional banquet is being planned, as it has been held in the past. Tickets are available for $12 each at the Pawhuska Public Schools administration office. Persons planning to attend the banquet are asked to purchase their tickets by Friday, April 30. There will not be a charge for Pawhuska High School athletes.
Award assemblies for Pawhuska High School students are scheduled for Monday, May 10. Assistant Superintendent Beverly Moore said there will be two assemblies – one for students in grades 11-12 and another for students in grades 9-10. Check with the school for exact times.
Another subject of concern is the ongoing requirement that students riding school buses are supposed to wear protective masks. Pawhuska Public Schools explained in a Facebook post that the ongoing mask requirement for students on school buses is a result of a presidential executive order.
The Facebook post reads as follows: "The following Executive Order 13998 signed by President Joe Biden, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that any passenger traveling via public transportation must wear a mask while on board. This order does apply to school buses. Please ensure that students have a mask on and keep the mask on while on the school bus. Students who do not comply with this order will be given 1 warning. If they continue to not wear a mask on the school bus, they may be excluded from riding the school bus. This includes any trips for athletics or other places that involves traveling in a school bus or vehicle.”