By Karen Campbell, Weakley Co. Schools Communictions Director
For the first time since the pandemic limited gatherings in 2020, schools celebrated valedictorians and salutatorians at a luncheon held at the Weakley County Schools Board of Education, May 19. Welcomed by county school administrators Donald Ray High, Randy Frazier and Betsi Foster, the top scholars were joined by their choice for their most influential teacher, the school counselor, school principal, school board members and various administrative staff members.
Representing Dresden High School was valedictorian Paige Mallon and salutatorian Parker Ferrell. From Gleason were Cameron Thompson, valedictorian, and Gracie Long, salutatorian. Greenfield was represented by Edie Darby, valedictorian, and Destiny Griffin, salutatorian. Amy Kang, valedictorian, and Sophia Shaw, salutatorian, represented Westview.
After the catered luncheon, returning to a tradition of asking the exiting students for input, Assistant Director Betsi Foster asked the two representatives to share responses to two queries: What do we have to celebrate about our schools? What do we need to change?
Both Kang and Shaw praised Westview Assistant Principal Brian Allen’s emphasis on increasing collaboration and inclusiveness this year. Darby and Griffin agreed that Greenfield School was strong on offering a family-like atmosphere where, as Darby put it, “You always have someone to lean on.” Gleason and Dresden were also praised for the friendly environment and family atmosphere.
While Thompson said he wouldn’t change a thing at Gleason, others took Foster’s encouragement and offered several suggestions including providing more AP and dual enrollment and options for focus of study as well as increasing emphasis on extracurricular activities outside of sports. Mallon received affirmation from all present when she suggested what she acknowledged was not a real option – take away state testing.
“Students are more than a score,” she emphasized.
After thanking the students for the input, Foster underscored, “I would encourage you all in life when you see things you want to change, get yourself in the right room. You’re in the right room today to voice those concerns, what you like, and what you would change. These are the people who can help make that happen.”
Instructional Supervisor High then called attention to the other special guests in the room and offered the “vals and sals” to speak to why the teachers had been so influential.
Kang, who brought Westview Band Director Mike Tucker with her, said their seven-year journey as band member/band director at both Martin Middle and Westview contributed to him becoming “more than a band director, for me, he was a mentor” who she said was ready to talk and to listen.
Shaw noted that her guest Westview teacher Laura Sterrett was kind, compassionate and “not only a teacher and avid boating expert but also a friend who goes above and beyond to help every single student.”
Long brought Gleason English teacher and yearbook sponsor Melissa Stafford. “She really influenced me, especially in working on the yearbook, because it gave me a good idea of what I wanted to do as a career. It really helped me in how to deal with deadlines and how to deal with working with a staff of your peers,” she said.
Thompson explained that his choice for influential teacher, Gleason’s Jason Stephens was unable to attend because he was supporting his child’s graduation. “He started out when I was young as the PE coach and everyone loves the PE coach,” Thompson said. “As we moved up, and he became our English teacher, he really changed how I saw school.”
Ferrell returned to Dresden Elementary and selected her third grade teacher Becky Anderson as her special guest because “she really pushed me to study hard.”
Mallon said her choice, Dresden’s Ben Milbrath, will “forever be the most memorable teacher.” Noting the Algebra and Calculus teacher is “always honest and despite my many tears in his class, he was willing to help, and he never gave up on me. I think I’ll always be good at math because of him.”
Greenfield science teacher Amee Hayes joined Darby for the luncheon. “Anytime you need someone to talk to she’s always there with the right words to say,” Darby shared, underscoring, “That’s why I love her.”
Griffin chose Greenfield’s government teacher Chris Leo who she acknowledged had become a “father figure” for her. “One thing I really like about Coach Leo is that he doesn’t come to school to teach; he comes to school to build bonds with people.” She also complimented his teaching of government, what she described as a “difficult subject,” adding, “He was able to teach me so well that I could spout government like I’ve known it my whole life!”
In response to what was next, Westview’s Kang said she plans on attending Georgia Tech to pursue a medical career. Shaw is going to the University of California Irvine to major in engineering.
Long will relocate from Gleason School to Bellarmine University to major in communications and minor in broadcast journalism. Thompson will attend UT Martin and study computer science.
Dresden salutatorian Ferrell will attend UTM for accounting with the goal of one day owning her own loan firm as a business attorney. Valedictorian Mallon will travel to the University of Kentucky where she will study agriculture and medical biotechnology with plans to become a virologist and eventually return to Dresden and her grandfather’s company NeoTech.
Darby is heading to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with plans to pursue a career as a dermatologist. Griffin will attend Austin Peay University with the goal of becoming a radiation therapist.
In his concluding remarks, Director Frazier thanked the group for their observations and noted that much has been gleaned from previous such conversations. He recounted when he began his role as superintendent 13 years ago, the first response from valedictorians and salutatorians was a request for more dual enrollment. At the time, Westview and Dresden had one such course and Greenfield and Gleason had none.
“I think we are probably seeing in this room that most of you already have your first year of college almost knocked out due to dual enrollment,” he observed of the now substantial number of such offerings.
Frazier ended the gathering with words of advice, “Find a job you love to do, and you’ll never feel like you’ve worked a day in your life.”
He then spoke of the relationships represented in the room and underscored the importance of continuing to invest in such relationships, “Whatever you do, make sure you pay back,” he added. “I know many of us chose careers in education because of people like those you chose to invite today. You’ll have your opportunity to put your imprint on someone. Do your very best. We are so proud of you.”
Photo: On left, Greenfield valedictorian Edie Darby is heading to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with plans to pursue a career as a dermatologist. Salutatorian Destiny Griffin will attend Austin Peay University with the goal of becoming a radiation therapist.