The seniors have been preparing for graduation day since the beginning of the year, and the time has come to prepare for their farewell speeches. The valedictorian will give a speech along with the staff and class speakers.

Two students are carefully selected each year to represent the senior class and staff. This year, Senior Saige Lowery will proudly represent the school’s staff in their annual graduation ceremony.

“I feel honored to have taken that position. When I found out, I cried! It’s really humbling to find out that my work was meaningful to teachers. Although I do feel nervous,” expressed Lowery.

Central has impacted students in ways that are hard to express. Not everyone participates in sports or clubs, but those who do can say they really enjoyed their time at Central.

“I was the president of FCCLA freshman year. I was in Book Club and the Acts of Kindness Club with Mr. Daum sophomore year. My junior year I was in Beta Club and National Honors Society, and now as a senior I’m in the Beta Club and president of The National Honors Society, The 21 Club, FCA, and I’m in the top ten percent,” Lowery announced.

Her high school career has been a success and she is ready to take on the challenge of starting her new career as a college student.

“I’ve pushed work ethic in a sense that I take AP classes and dual enrollment so it has prepared me for college,” elucidated Lowery.

Central has taught Saige to show respect and to put herself out there. That is why the staff have selected her to prepare a speech, and for that reason Lowry has selected them for inspiration.

“I think my biggest inspiration will come from the teachers who inspire me the most. Those who have taught me more subjects that I didn’t even know existed. Other people who have been in Central such as Mr. Massengale and Mrs. Ross inspire me as well,” divulged Lowery, “Mrs. Sellers pushed me to do something neuro-related, so I credit her as well.”

There are definitely traits that helped Saige receive this position, such as respectfulness, responsibility, and good grades. These traits made her stand out to the staff while they made their special selection.

“I would say respectfulness and the willingness to learn helped me get the position. Along with hard work and determination. I wasn’t afraid to help out, and the leadership roles I played at Central helped me as well. I also never forgot that teachers are people too,” shared Lowery.

Senior year is the exciting last year of everyone’s high school career. Many students are glad to be starting their future as an independent person, but they must get through the year first, before planning what is to come.

“Senior year started out a bit rough because you have responsibilities thrown on you, but besides all the stress it has been a great year,” said Lowery.

“Over the four years at Central I’ve gotten to know many different people,” mentioned Saige, “My government class is not honors so I get to see a more dynamic side of Central.”

Lowry has achieved many things and has proved her readiness for a prosperous career.

“I am really planning to do something science related. I plan on going into the medical field, i’m going to UTC for biological chem as Pre-Med. My plans are to go to Med school to be a dermatologist,” described Lowery. “In the future I would like to be with my family while I work as a dermatologist.”

Principal Finley King recently announced that Kat Cimino and Bethsy Harrigan were the valedictorian and salutatorian of the graduating class of 2018.

“I knew I was towards the top [of the school rankings], but I didn’t expect to be valedictorian. Bethsy and I have been more or less friends since the ninth grade, and I know that she’s pretty smart,” Cimino elaborated.

“I was relieved to find out about being salutatorian because I was scared that I might have lost my ranking,” Harrigan admitted, “I found out at the beginning of first semester that I was number two and I had the potential to become salutatorian. I was glad that all my hard work had finally paid off.”

Both students have maintained a 4.0 GPA, excelling exceptionally well in each of their studies. Cimino scored a 31 on her ACT while Harrigan made a composite score of 28, with a super score that totaled to 31.

“It actually feels pretty nice to be the valedictorian. I came to Central in ninth grade, not having been to a public school before. It was a bit rough at first, but it was pretty exciting as the school year progressed,” Cimino expounded.

While graduating at the top of your class is a very enjoyable experience, it takes a great amount of motivation and perseverance to get there. Our top students have experienced the same struggles as their peers, but they learned to make the most of their situation with help from several faculty members.

“Mrs. Cotreau was pretty awesome. Mrs. Dobbs has also helped so much by setting the bar in ninth grade. In Latin class, she explained things in an understandable way,” Cimino recalled, “Mr. Potter made it possible for me to take dual enrollment calculus! I didn’t dread math class because it actually made sense for once.”

“Take as many advanced classes as possible. All grades make a difference,” Harrigan advised, “Do your best on every assignment. Taking honors classes boosts your GPA as well, and it’s always a good idea to check your transcript for errors.”

This year’s leading students are looking at a very successful future ahead, as they have already made arrangements for a couple of prestigious universities.

“I am going to Vanderbilt in pursuit of going to medical school to become a psychiatrist or neonatologist,” Harrigan imparted.

“I am planning tentatively on majoring in French at Wesleyan University in Connecticut,” Cimino elaborated.

Although Harrigan and Cimino are ecstatic for what is to come during college, they have not forgotten about all the memories that they have made throughout their final years of grade school at Central.

“So many great things that have happened,” Cimino reminisced, “I’ve got to say, I really enjoyed when we made that movie in Mrs. White’s class. I remember taping papers on the wall as a backdrop.”

“I’ll cherish my friends that I’ll miss when I leave for college. I’ll also cherish the high school atmosphere and the teaches that have shaped me into who I am,” Harrigan divulged.

As our new valedictorian and salutatorian say farewell, their family and teachers will proudly watch as they spread the positive energy of true Purple Pounders.

“Something that I would’ve liked to tell my younger self about the future is that it’s going be okay, stop worrying so much. Just do your best and stop freaking out,” Cimino concluded.