Franklin Chamber Honors STAR Student, Honor Graduates
The honor students of the Franklin County High School Class of 2015 are honored by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
This year’s STAR Student, STAR Teacher, Valedictorian and Salutatorian along with 41 honors students and their parents were recognized by the Chamber and treated to a breakfast Friday morning at the Swails Center in Franklin Springs.
The 2015 STAR student and Valedictorian is Abigail LeCroy, and the Salutatorian is Luke Fowler. This year’s STAR teacher is honors chemistry teacher Natalie Erskine.
Representing the Franklin County School System and School Board, School Superintendent Dr. Ruth O’Dell congratulated the students on their hard work and achievement.
“We know how many hours you put into your class work and projects,” O’Dell told the students. “We also know that you gave up many fun activities in order to be here today. We also know that as we have increased the rigor of our curriculum, you are the ones who have been challenged to master it, and indeed you have.”
STAR Student LeCroy challenged her classmates to push themselves and never settle.
Abigail LeCroy encourages classmates to strive for excellence
“Our world today is full of numerous problems that require the efforts of innovative and determined individuals like ourselves who are willing to travel the steeper road,” LeCroy said. “If it were easy, everyone would choose it. In reality that is not the case. Not settling for just good enough may not cause us to stand out from the crowd, but we cannot let that discourage us. I encourage you to challenge yourself in every aspect of your life for that is how we grow.”
Guest speaker Friday was Emmanuel College president Dr. Ron White.
White spoke to the students about the miles stones they will encounter in life and he offered four pieces of advice.
The first he said was to do what you love.
“Whatever it is, what is it about that activity that you like?” White said. “Look at all the things you love to do. Is there anything that all these activities have in common, and are there careers that you can connect to these skill sets? The answers to these questions are like a clues in a mystery. If you can link all the clues together you will solve the mystery of what you are meant to do and be.”
Other advice White offered the students included think big, work hard and never give up.