Back to school 2022: What 7 Alabama valedictorians want current students to know
- Kalyn Cherise D.
- Aug 17, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 15
by Kalyn Dunkins
High school valedictorians across central Alabama celebrated a major milestone this past spring by graduating at the top of their class. What advice do they have for this year’s rising seniors?
The Ed Lab spoke with seven top students in Birmingham-area high schools who graduated with the Class of 2022. They include:
Kylan Benson, of Birmingham, who moved in with his grandmother to attend a good school.
Kate Boone, of Homewood, who wants to study chemistry.
Jessica Garcia Cruz, of Birmingham, who wants to be a nurse.
Ebony Woods, of Birmingham, who wants to study psychology.
Will Gasser, of Hoover, who achieved valedictorian status after a dare.
Briana Rowell, of Birmingham, who wants to work in human resources.
Abby Hollis, of Gardendale, who wants to study accounting.
According to the Alabama Statewide Student Database and the Alabama State Department of Education, 46% of high school graduates enrolled in public colleges in Alabama in fall 2021. PARCA noted that the college-going rate has declined 11% between 2014 and 2020. The graduation rate (defined as students who enroll in the 9th grade and graduate in Alabama in 2021 was nearly 91%.
Ramsay High School
Kylan Benson, Ramsay High School’s valedictorian, offered insight on overcoming challenges no matter the sacrifice. He reminisced on the commute he took each morning after moving in with his grandmother to be closer to the Ramsay school zone.
“My family has been without a car throughout my high-school years. I wanted to go to Ramsay because I knew it would grant me a great education. However, my zoned school was closer to home and easier to get to,” Benson said. “Ultimately, I was faced with a decision: attend school close to home or move in with my grandmother across town so that I could catch the bus and remain at Ramsay. I had to reflect on what I valued—my education or remaining in my comfort zone.”
After making this tough decision, Benson explained that things didn’t necessarily get easier but that didn’t mean the choice wasn’t worth it. He also didn’t shy away from mentioning even bad choices are a part of the journey and that these moments are equally important to grow from.
“I am no stranger to making bad choices. This year, I have made more than my fair share. Bad choices are a natural part of life, we all make them from time to time,” Benson said. “When we make these bad choices, we must reflect on them and extract pieces of wisdom that will guide us from making the same choice again. Sometimes, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. Bad choices are a net positive if you learn from them.”
Benson has decided to attend Harvard University this fall to study business with an emphasis on international relations.
Homewood High School
Homewood High School’s Kate Boone had the highest GPA among the honor graduates recognized in her class. She reflected on the importance of engaging with people who may not look or live like you because you can still learn so much from them. She encouraged students to take the little things lightly in the grand scheme of their overall journey.
“[I]f there’s one thing that high school has taught me, it’s that life goes on. None of us really know what we are doing, and we probably won’t for a while. All of the little things that probably felt like the end of the world at some point really mean nothing now,” Boone said.
“...The reality is that our time at Homewood is just a small, small part of our journey. Anne Franke once said, ‘What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet,” and I think this is the perfect quote to wrap up our years while looking with eager eyes into the future.”
Boone leaves Homewood in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the University of Georgia.
G.W. Carver High School
Jessica Garcia Cruz, the valedictorian from G.W. Carver High School, spoke proudly of her own heritage as well as the accomplishments of marginalized students. She will attend Berea University this fall and major in nursing.
“I am proud of the things that I have accomplished, and I want to be a living testament of how hard work, resilience and consistency can propel you forward in life. I want other young, Mexican, Latino, Black and other young women of color to strive for excellence in spite of gender and racial bias,” Garcia Cruz said. “I want other young girls to walk with their heads high and move into academic and professional spaces with confidence and do so unapologetically.”
Wenonah High School
Ebony Woods, the valedictorian from Wenonah High School, believes in breaking past all limitations imposed by others–and even the ones we put upon ourselves. “We too often hear that the sky’s the limit, but that isn’t true. You are only limited by what you subject yourself to,” Woods said. “You should not allow yourself or anyone else to create a barrier between you and your goals.
Woods also believes that at the end of the day, the direction a student wants to take their lives in is up to them. There may be expectations that their families have for the path they choose, but she encourages students to be whoever they want.
“You are not obligated to be the next doctor, lawyer or architect, but you are obligated to fulfill your destiny and leave behind a cherished legacy,” she said.
Woods will be moving on to Emory University this fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Spain Park High School
Will Gasser of Spain Park High School admitted that his valedictorian title was the result of being challenged by a friend of his. “Sophomore year… I was sitting next to my friend in class, debating if I should take all AP classes so I could potentially have the highest class GPA,” Gasser said. “Then he looked at me, and what he said I’ll never forget. He said, ‘You can’t do it, you can’t be number one in the class.’ So I picked up my course selection sheet, I added an extra AP class and I said, ‘Game on.’”
He found no joy in proving his friend wrong out of spite, but rather he felt gratitude for the journey that his friend’s doubt and his own determination led him to. “To my friend, the one who questioned and challenged my abilities, I thank you,” Gasser said. “Although our interaction may have been of little importance to you, the lesson you taught me is one of immeasurable value. Your doubt pushed me to success and taught me the beauty of perseverance.”
Gasser will be attending Auburn University and majoring in aerospace engineering with a minor in computer science.
Gardendale High School
Abby Hollis advised rising seniors to have clear objectives and practical means of accomplishing them.
“Do not lose focus your senior year. Set goals for your future and work hard throughout the year to make sure you achieve them,” she said. “Get involved in your high school, and look ahead to see what you could do to prepare for the next chapter of your journey.”
Hollis had the highest GPA at Gardendale High School and will attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham this fall to major in accounting.
Woodlawn High School
Last but not least, Woodlawn High School’s valedictorian wanted students to remember that it’s okay to be different and that not everyone will understand their journey but that doesn’t mean they should abandon it.
“Embrace your journey! Do not seek approval from others about your future desires. Not everyone will understand your plans and a lot of people have thoughts on how they think your life should go,” Briana Rowell said. “Stay around encouraging people who bring out the best in you, while also helping you expand your horizons. Don’t give up and embrace who you are!”
Rowell also will attend UAB in the fall and study human resource management.
Here is a video compilation of each valedictorian and their response:
This story was originally written and published for AL.com.
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