By Staff
From staff reports
Move those tassels to the left, throw your cap into the air and accept that hard-earned diploma. Congratulations to the Class of 2005. Area high school seniors graduated this weekend and the valedictorians and salutatorians of each school spoke during the Commencement Ceremonies.
Charity Thompson, daughter of Marie Thompson, was named W.S. Neal High School's 2005 valedictorian. Thompson earned a 4.5 grade point average and plans to attend Auburn University, where she will major in Architecture and Interior Design. She eventually would like to open a center for underprivileged children to play and learn in a safe environment.
Thompson said that her favorite teacher was Mr. Rittenhouse and the hardest course she took was physics.
Thompson received numerous awards throughout her high school career including joining the National Honor Society, member of Mu Alpha Theta, Junior Miss First Alternate and Scholastic Achievement and was the John Phillip Sousa Award recipient among other things.
Thompson also had time to be involved in a variety of extracurricular activities. She was a member of the marching band where she was drum major for two years, a lieutenant for one year and played the flute/piccolo for three years. She also served as senior class vice president, president of the National Honor Society, vice president of Neal Eagle Ambassadors and the tennis team.
Her best advice for the incoming freshmen is to "Strive for excellence in all you do. Never get lost in the crowd. When you shoot for the moon at least you will land among the stars."
Daniel Hodge, son of Lamar and Linda Hodge, has been named W.S. Neal High School's 2005 salutatorian. Hodge's grade point average is 4.36. He said his hardest course in high school was physics, and his favorite teacher was Mrs. Knowles.
Hodge plans to attend Jefferson Davis Community College and then transfer to the University of Alabama.
Throughout high school, Hodge received many special honors including Alabama Boys State Representative, senior class president, member of Mu Alpha Theta, and Montgomery Youth Tour Representative and National Honor Society vice president among other things.
Hodge was also involved in numerous extracurricular activities such as baseball, football, Relay for Life and Operation Santa Claus.
Hodge offers solid advice for the incoming freshman.
"Believe in yourself," he said. "You can accomplish anything if you set your heart to it."
Elizabeth Ashley Rush, daughter of David and Bobi Rush, was named T.R. Miller High School's 2005 valedictorian. Her grade point average was 3.86. Rush said her favorite teacher was Mrs. Elaine King and the hardest course she took was pre-calculus. Rush plans to attend Troy University in the fall to study Pre-Medicine.
Rush received numerous honors throughout her high school career including yearbook and Kaleidoscope editor, Spanish Club president, Future Leaders of America, Honors Diploma grades 9-12, Who's Who Among High School Students, Southern Pine Washington Youth Tour Representative, and personal achievement awards, among other things.
Rush was also involved in extracurricular activities such as Pep Club Member, T.R. Miller marching and concert bands, Math Team, Hope Place Club, panelist on The Rural Teen Summit, and Habitat for Humanity volunteer.
Rush offers solid advice for the incoming freshman.
Amy Elizabeth Luker was named T.R. Miller High School's 2005 salutatorian.
Luker is the daughter of William and Lisa Luker. She achieved a 3.82 grade point average.
Luker said her favorite teacher was Mrs. Elaine King and the hardest course she took was physics. She plans to attend Auburn University in the fall.
Luker received many special honors throughout her high school career. During her senior year she was the Girls State representatiove. She received the Adrian and Marie Downing Educational Trust Scholarship, Spirit of T.R. Miller Award, and Who's Who Among America' High School Students among other things. She was also on the National Honor Society and Honor Roll, achieved many academic excellence awards in government, geometry, Spanish 1 and others, as well as personal achievement awards such as Algebra 2, Advanced Biology and Advanced English 3.
Aside from her school honors, Luker was Student Council chaplain and colorguard captain. She was involved in the school choir, marching and concert band. She had the lead role in the senior play and remains an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Brewton.
Jennifer Coleman, daughter of Hank and Gloria Coleman, has been named Flomaton High School's 2005 valedictorian.
Coleman's un-weighted grade point average is 3.86. She said her hardest course to take was physics, and her favorite teacher was Coach Hammond who taught math. Coleman's future plans are to attend Jefferson Davis Community College for one year and then head to Auburn University to major in pre-pharmacy.
Coleman offers solid advice for incoming freshman. She advises them to "get involved in as much as possible and enjoy high school while you can."
Coleman has received numerous academic awards and honors including Academic All-Star for four years and Beta Club for four years. In the year 2004, she was a Southern Pine representative, Montgomery Youth Tour Winner rand Alabama Cooperative Youth Council representative. For two years, Coleman received the Cheerleading Academic Award.
Coleman's achievements include Miss Flomaton High School 2004-05, senior class vice president, senior class Who's Who-Most Intellectual and Junior Miss 2004 physical fitness winner among other things.
Coleman was involved in numerous activities and clubs, which include Future Community and Career Leaders of America, Drama Club for four years and marching and concert band for four years. She also participated in softball, basketball volleyball, and was the co-captain of the 2004-05 Varsity Cheerleaders.
Coleman also found time to participate in community service activities such as becoming a Red Cross volunteer, Relay for Life volunteer and Alabama Rural Ministries volunteer.
Erin Henderson, daughter of Tom and Jane Henderson, has been named Flomaton High School's 2005 salutatorian.
Henderson's un-weighted grade point average was 3.87. She said the hardest course she took was Mrs. Roger's Literature class and her favorite teacher was Coach Scott Hammond.
Her advice for incoming freshmen is to "Choose a path. You can always change the direction as long as you have a destination in mind."
Her future plans are to attend Auburn University to become a pharmacist.
Henderson received numerous honors while attending FHS. She was Wendy's high school Heisman State Finalist, annual staff editor, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation National semi-finalist, member of the National Honor Roll and Academic All Stars. She was also chosen as the Junior Core, Who's Who among America's high school students.
Henderson also found time to participate in extracurricular activities, which include volleyball, basketball, softball and Beta Club.