Underrepresented Minority Senior Salute celebrates high school grads

April 25, 2023

ASHLAND, Ky. – The Boyd and Greenup Counties Branch of the NAACP and Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) recognized nearly 60 high school seniors at the 29th Annual Underrepresented Minority Senior Salute on April 19.

Seniors from Ashland Paul Blazer, Boyd County, Greenup County, Ironton, and Raceland high schools were honored for their academic achievement as well as given resources about continuing their education.

ACTC, Marshall University, Shawnee State University, Ohio University Southern, Morehead State University and Mountwest Community and Technical College, as well as representatives of the Armed Forces participated in a college fair. Students had the opportunity to learn how to apply for admission or get general information about the schools/branches of the military.

Representatives from Marathon Petroleum and Pathways, Inc. were also in attendance. 

The event’s keynote speaker was Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Keith L. Jackson. 

Jackson was appointed as the Deputy Secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet by Gov. Andy Beshear in August 2021. Immediately prior to joining the Cabinet, Jackson served as the commissioner of the Kentucky Deputy of Veterans Affairs where he was the governor’s representative and advisor on all veterans-related matters, and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Department’s Benefit’s Branch, four Veteran Nursing Homes, five State Veterans Program, and Women Veterans Program. Jackson served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 27 years. 

Students honored during the ceremony included: 

Ashland Paul Blazer High School: December Boggs, Olivia Boyd, Jaxon Carlisle, Kaitlyn Dillard, Charlize Hill, Isaiah Luckett, Hannah Luckett, Jada Maynard, Shyeann Menefee, Anthony Mitchell, Devoyne Montgomery, Marissa Morrison, Alexander Pereira, Javon Revely, Eric Taylor, Whitney Thomas, Chioma Eleazu, Terell Jordan, Dorian Shelton, Kahill Vaughn, Bhev Angela Emeterio, Dalin Eng, Shyam Patel, Myintmo Tun, Tiffany Alaro Guerrero, Rain Batts Garcia, Ociel Campos Guerrero, Shanice Guivas, Isis Neal, and Enrique Ortega Fannin

Boyd County High School: Javid Edwards, Mia Johnson, Seinna Kelly, and Tavion Winkfield

Greenup County High School: Ethan Kelley, Jeramiah Moore, Dekota Slone, Akili Thomas, and Kyra Torrence

Ironton High School: James Alister, Sara Bowen, Larondo Carter, Erion Collins, Eteinne Fadis, Amari Felder, Breanna France, Olivia Greene, Jaquez Keyes, Chianti Martin, Santos Martinez, Terell Mize, Miles Thomas, De’Angelo Weekly, Ethan White, and Aiden Young 

Raceland High School: Juliun Farrow, Josie Hapney, Kendra Johnson, Brooklyn Kersey