“Evening with the Stars,” Lincoln County High School’s annual academic banquet honoring the top 10% of seniors, was held on Thursday, April 23, 2026. This year marked the 29th annual celebration of this special tradition, which was started by the late principal of Lincoln County High School Jim Stewart.

Members of the event’s committee were Rebecca Caldwell, Jack Jean, Leslie Machen, Riley Malone, Lydia Marshall, Robert Mills, Kelley Nobles, Lori Shotts, Natalie Stephens, Rikki Stubblefield, and event chair Katie Wheat. Student helpers included underclassmen Lola Burt, Kaliyah Burruss, Stella Lowe, Trevor Murphy, Alex Pitts, Samantha Sanderson and Lucy Summers.

A special thanks to Plant City for the floral decorations, the LCHS Technology Student Association for making the awards, and to 2 Hicks with Sticks for catering the meal.

The main speakers of the evening were last year’s valedictorian and salutatorian, Aryan Patel and Veronica Williams. They eloquently shared insights about their first year of college with the seniors.

Jacob Sorrells, director of Lincoln County Schools; Amy Clemons, school principal; and assistant principals Chad Carter, Jason Dobbs, Sidney Ogle and Keela Wright presented awards to the top 10% of seniors for their academic accomplishments.

To make the event even more special, each senior invited a favorite educator who inspired their educational success.

The Lincoln County High School Class of 2026 top 10% seniors and their invited educators include: 1. Claire Bradford and teacher Jack Jean; 2. Zaki Lin and coach Michael Foster; 3. Cade Kimbrough and teacher Leslie Machen; 4. Brody Simms and teacher Amanda Logan; 5. Alex Hamlin and teacher Patrick Harry; 6. Emma Hall and teacher Holly Herd; 7. Pinky Basila and teacher Diane Webb; 8. Ethan Jackson Lanier and teacher Jennifer Underwood; 9. Morgan Brown and teacher Lydia Marshall; 10. Wes Moran and teacher Allison Day; 11. Candace Hopkins and teacher Christy Moran; 12. Brilee Anderson and teacher Donna Reavis; 13. Rut Patel and teacher Katie Wheat; 14. Kate Henry and teacher Jennifer Snoddy; 15. Sara Welch and teacher Paul Davis; 16. Abby Nix and teacher McLean Whitt Diotalevi; 17. Emma Jacobs and teacher Sara Grace Byrd; 18. Tori Hamlin and teacher Benjamin Fuhs; 19. Jake Nix and administrator Holly Steelman; 20. Jacqueline Castaneda and teacher Charla Hurt; 21. Makaya Barker and teacher Stacy Johnson; 22. Emmalee Holder and teacher Jan Brandon; 23. Kaylee Woodward and teacher Hilary Hardin; 24. Aiden Smith and teacher Lori Shotts; and, 25. James Stephens and teacher Wesley Brockman.