Starkville High School recognized its class of 2018 Tuesday night with its senior awards night.
SHS seniors were honored for GPA, scholarships, and other accolades they attained over the school year. The school also named seniors Sean Mackin and Abigail Musser as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. Mackin will head to New York University in the fall, while Musser will attend Mississippi State University. In addition to being named salutatorian, Musser was also recognized for being named Distinguished Young Woman for the state of Mississippi. The school also announced its graduates with honors and highest honors.
The SHS administration then recognized 20 seniors as seniors of distinction. The seniors of distinction were nominated by faculty for their contributions and impact during their time at SHS.
“Seniors of distinction is an honor given to each class every year,” said SHS girls basketball coach and science teacher Kristie Williams, who served as the ceremony’s emcee. “They turn in a resume, with all their accomplishments throughout their time in high school. Once that is accomplished, teachers can go vote.”
SHS 2018 Seniors of Distinction are: Kristy Jones, Sarah Heard, Jonathan Banks, Noah Knox, Jaden Hill, Sean Mackin, Anne Marie Ross, Abigail Musser, Tyler Dickerson, Carrington Ashford, Laci Cattledge,Emily Cartwright, Tyler Adair, Blake Rogers, Chele Westbrook, Pepito Thelly, Reese Dunne, Jonathan Franz, Angel Tate and Austin Campbell.
Students in the class amassed a considerable amount of scholarship funds, coming from colleges and universities, churches, fraternities, sororities and even McReynolds Orthodontics. Students were also recognized for other accolades, including perfect attendance, hall of fame, completion of the Jobs for Mississippi Graduates program and service on the Starkville Mayor’s Youth Council.
Students who took the Workkeys test through the Millsaps Career and Technology Center also received their certificates.
“For the second year, students were given the opportunity to become national career ready through a five-year grant that’s part of the Golden Triangle LINK’s Early Workforce Initiative,” said Millsaps Director Lenora Hogan. “The Workkeys system from ACT is designed to help students develop better work skills. Better skills mean better paying jobs.”