TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Sequoyah High School has named Harlie Smith as its class of 2025 Valedictorian and Makayla Lackey as its Salutatorian.
Sequoyah’s commencement ceremony for the class of 2025 will take place on the school's campus at 6:30 p.m. on May 13 at The Place Where They Play.
“The Sequoyah High School’s class of 2025 has made historic strides in the tradition of excellence,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “Our Nation has always had a strong commitment to education, and we will continue to prioritize expanding access to education in our Reservation. We’re proud of these young Cherokees and wish them great success in their futures as they leave Sequoyah and take the next step along their journeys.”
The graduating class features 76 students, several of which have accepted scholarship offers from college institutions such as Northeastern State University, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University and other collegiate institutions.
“We are certainly proud of the Class of 2025 at Sequoyah High School,” said Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner. “They have done well to bring pride to the Cherokee Nation. I’m excited to see where these students go and what they will achieve in the future.”
Harlie Smith, of Stilwell, Okla., is the daughter of Michael Chad and Misty Smith and is Cherokee and Delaware. She is the Sequoyah High School’s valedictorian with a weighted GPA of 4.58.
Smith plans to attend Oklahoma State University to study chemical engineering with an emphasis on pre-med. She aims to continue to medical school and start her career in radiology or anesthesiology.
“I feel like all my hard work in school has paid off,” said Smith. “Along with my coursework, I spent my time with various extracurriculars. It was busy but I’m proud of where I’m at.”
Smith is the President of the National Honors Society chapter at Sequoyah High School along with splitting her time between cheer and track meets. She was also a member of STUCO and Sequoyah High School’s Book Club. She has earned 57 concurrent hours towards college credit during her education at Sequoyah High School.
Makayla Lackey, of Hulbert, Okla., is the daughter of Michael and Michelle Lackey, and is Cherokee. She has been selected as the Sequoyah High School’s salutatorian with a weighted GPA of 4.2.
“I feel honored to be chosen as the salutatorian,” said Lackey. “I worked hard to get the position and that means something to me.”
After graduation, Lackey plans to attend Northeastern State University to complete her basic studies and transfer over to Indian Capital Technology Center in Muskogee to enroll in the physical therapy assistant program. She has earned 21 concurrent hours towards college credits.
“I do fast and slow pitch softball,” said Lackey. “I’m also in powerlifting, FCA and NHS. We played pretty good in our seasons. Last year we went to state in softball and this year we made super regionals.”