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T.R. Miller High School’s Class of 2019 valedictorian and salutatorian not only have above a 4.0 GPA and are involved with majority of TRM’s clubs but they are also student athletes. Valedictorian Mary Grace Milligan and salutatorian Mallori Floyd are the complete tiger package.

“These are really great girls,” TRM Assistant Principal Doug Gerety who also taught both of them AP U.S. History. “They are just amazing young ladies. I’ve been very impressed in the work they do in class.”

Milligan said she is a part of the math team, pep club and just about any club TRM offers.  She also played on the tennis team for five years. After she graduates, she plans to attend Samford University in the fall and major in neurology. Milligan will then attend medical school where she will specialize in otoneurology. Milligan said she became interested in otoneurology after being introduced to it at church camp when she was in third grade.

“Otoneurologists specialize in the vestibular system, so they work with people who are deaf and hard of hearing,” Milligan said. “So that way, I can utilize my sign language skills and my studies to help others.”

Milligan said she owes her success to her parents who provided the perfect balance of “work hard, play hard.” She said her mom encouraged her to focus on school and her grades while her dad reminded her to enjoy her high school years.

Milligan said if she could give her freshman self-advice she would say: “Have fun. They always say these years will go by fast, and looking back now, it definitely did.”

Floyd is active in several sports including varsity cheer and volleyball. She is also has been a part of SGA since her freshman year and serves as secretary of her senior class and vice president of the National Honor Society and is a member of several other clubs. After Floyd graduates, she plans to attend the University of Alabama in the fall and major in pre-dentistry. Then she will transfer to the University of Alabama at Birmingham to complete dentistry school to become an orthodontist.

“I’m very teethy,” Floyd said with a laugh. “Teeth are very important. I’ve always had an interest in it.”

Floyd said she owes her success to the sense of determination she was taught through playing sports and through the support of her coaches and family.

“I’ve had a lot of excellent coaches,” Floyd said. “My volleyball coach Terry Lynn Thompson supported me in everything I did. She really embodies a good person.”

Floyd said if she could give her freshman self-advice she would say: “Make the most out of every moment. It goes by so fast.”

The Brewton Rotary Club gave Milligan a $1,000 scholarship and Floyd a $750 scholarship at the club meeting on Monday.