NeeSmith, Angel Named VHS Val & Sal

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Vidalia High School announced Emma Nee-Smith as the Class of 2023 Valedictorian and Aylin Angel as the Class of 2023 Salutatorian at the school’s annual Senior Honors Night, which was held on Thursday, May 18. Valedictorian Emma NeeSmith began attending Vidalia High School in her sophomore year, but has since made her presence known through both athletics and academics. NeeSmith is a well-decorated cheerlead- continued from page

er, as she has participated in Competition Cheer and contributed to the team’s State Runner-Up title, and is a member of the 2-Time Game Day Cheerleading State Championship team. She has received the Cheerleading Coaches’ Award twice, and has even been named a Scholar Athlete.

In addition to athletics, NeeSmith is a member of the school’s National Honor Society; Beta Club; Future Business Leaders of America; and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America. She is also a recipient of the Georgia Certificate of Merit.

“I have been beyond blessed to receive both athletic and academic honors in my time as an Indian. This has truly been the most rewarding experience, and I am extremely grateful,” NeeSmith remarked regarding the accomplishment. “I would like to thank my parents who taught me the value in hard work and achieving my goals. They have continuously been my biggest fans throughout this journey, and I couldn’t ask for anyone more supportive. I’d also like to thank both Mrs. Toole and Mrs. Coleman. These two ladies are so much more than guidance councilors. They are truly two of the most caring people I have ever met, and they have played a major role in all of my academic success. There is no one more invested in the wellbeing of students than Mrs. Toole and Mrs. Coleman, and Vidalia High School is blessed to have them.”

When asked her advice for underclassmen, Neesmith said, “Someone once told me that if it won’t matter in five years, you shouldn’t waste more than five minutes worrying about it. At our age, every inconvenience seems like it will be the end of the world. I can tell you from experience that your success will not be determined by your worst moments. Now is the time when we are supposed to make a million mistakes and change our minds a million times. Whether you’ve had a life plan since you were little or you’re still not sure what you want in life, it will all be okay. This is part of being young, and there are no wrong answers. You don’t have to have everything figured out yet. My advice is to not worry about the small stuff, and stop to enjoy the moment. One day, the worries you once had will feel so trivial, and all you’ll have left is the memories you made. I just hope you can look back and smile like I am now.

Salutatorian

Salutatorian Aylin Angel has attended Vidalia High School her entire high school experience, and has been a student within the school system since her days at J.D. Dickerson Primary School. She has been an active member of the school’s Beta Club and National Honor Society.

“It means a lot that all of the hard work i’ve put in all these years is paying off. Earning this title is one of my greatest achievements so far. I’m proud of myself for not giving up and for giving my all,” Angel remarked. “I’d like to thank my family, friends, and all of those who believed in me and supported me since the very beginning.”

When asked her advice to underclassmen, she stressed the importance of doing your best. “The best advice I can give to underclassmen is to do your best, no matter your rank or position, but also to take care of yourself. Surround yourself with people who care for you and will always be there for you. Know that you are worth it and that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to,” Angel emphasized.

Scholarships

Over 50 scholarships were presented to the graduating seniors to help financially in their endeavor to continue their education.

Kailyn Walker received the most scholarships of the night, as she took home a total of 7 – the Adrian Martin “Ambitious” Scholarship, Christine Harris Memorial Scholarship, Darien Devonte’ Green Memorial Scholarship, Friends of Mayor Ronnie Dixon Memorial Scholarship, Southern Sisters of Worth Scholarship, Vidalia High School Beta Scholarship, and Vidalia Lions Club Memorial Scholarship.

Maggie Beach and Riya Patel each earned 5 scholarships, tying for the second-most scholarships awarded for the night. Beach received the Elizabeth Wilmot Bull Memorial Scholarship, Mary Beth Tapley Memorial Scholarship, Share Health Southeast Scholarship, Vidalia High School HOSA Program Scholarship, and the Vidalia High School National Honor Society Scholarship. Meanwhile, Patel received the Carl Parrish Memorial Student Government Association Scholarship, Darwin Beasley “Building in the 21st Century Scholarship,” Georgia 4-H Achievement Scholarship, Vidalia High School Beta Club Scholarship, and Vidalia High School National Honor Society Scholarship.

Bailey Hutchins was also presented five scholarships, including the Georgia 4-H Achievement Scholarship, Jean Brogdon Memorial Scholarship, Vidalia High School Beta Club Scholarship, Virginia L. Johnson Memorial Scholarship, and Walter & Hannah Morris and Mary Ann King Memorial Teacher Scholarship.

Zach and Chasen Moye each earned four scholarships, including the Canoochee EMC Scholarship, which both received. In addition to this scholarship, Zach was granted the Carolyn T. Bond Memorial Scholarship, J.R. Trippe Scholarship, and Vidalia Rotary Club Scholarship, while Chasen took home the Larry’s Giant Subs Good Citizenship College Scholarship, Quint Shrine Club Scholarship, and Steven A. Brown Scholarship.

Several other students earned a variety of scholarships. Those students include: Abby Brantley – Allyson Morgan Fullam Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Christy Powell Memorial Scholarship, Montgomery Farm Bureau Scholarship Madison Starr – Coca-Cola Athletic Scholarship, Vidalia Athletic Boosters Scholarship, Reece Brown – Larry’s Giant Subs Good Citizenship College Scholarship, Sam Harris Galloway Memorial Scholarship, Vidalia Athletic Boosters Scholarship Emma NeeSmith – Charles “Chunk” Reid Scholarship, Mayor Ronnie Dixon Memorial Scholarship Ty Carter – Baseball Dads of the Class of 1995 Scholarship, Charles “Chunk” Reid Scholarship Jasmine Wilson – Darwin Beasley “Building in the 21st Century” Scholarship, Goodman-Edwards Love Foundation Scholarship Anevya Vann – Dickerson Memorial Scholarship, Doug Wilkes Memorial Scholarship Hudson Sumner – Dorothy L. Warthen Scholarship, Larry’s Giant Subs Good Citizenship College Scholarship Mary Laura Tippett – Georgia 4-H Achievement Scholarship, Vidalia Lions Club Memorial Scholarship Abby Barr – Meadows Health Auxiliary Scholarship for Higher Education, Vidalia High School HOSA Program Scholarship Rebecca Evans – Dr. Larry Smith Scholarship, Vidalia Rotary Scholarship Jadyn Wright – Ray Fuller Memorial Scholarship, Sarah N. Lane Memorial Scholarship Anna Claire Stephens – Vidalia Kiwanis Club Family Scholarship, Sarah N. Lane Memorial Scholarship Kaleb Bennett – Dr. W.H. Bedingfield Scholarship Savannah Sikes – Estelle Walker Memorial Scholarship Delorenzo Antwan Lawrence – Dickerson Memorial Scholarship Heidi Barfield – Careers & Technical College Scholarship Belle Ogle – Cliff A. Poe Scholarship Jamari Jermon – Coca-Cola Athletic Scholarship Khaleece Lee – Gillis-Riggins Legion Post 313 Scholarship Ashton Williamson – Jamie Lula Leah Sharpe Scholarship Clayton Cox — Larry’s Giant Subs Good Citizenship College Scholarship Cason Banks – Ray Fuller Memorial Scholarship Conner Whited – Rosa Marie Asberry Memorial Scholarship Ja’Via Walton — Rosa Marie Asberry Memorial Scholarship Autumn Harris – Vidalia High School Beta Club Scholarship Hunter Loosberg – Vidalia High School National Honor Society Scholarship Emily Thompson – Vidalia Rotary Club Scholarship Amari Atkins – Sarah N. Lane Memorial Scholarship Hunter Loosberg was also recognized for his U.S. Air Force ROTC commitment, which will totally cover his tuition and books, as well as supplying a monthly stipend. Seth MacGregor was also acknowledged during the ceremony for his U.S. Naval Academy Appointment, which will fully cover his college education and allow him to graduate as a naval officer with benefits and salary.

Brady Edwards, Bryson Coleman, Emily Moran, Antonio Rodriguez, Kailyn Walker, and Alexandria Williams all received REACH scholarships, which will provide up to $10,000 per year of their college education. Military Appointments

Students choosing to enlist in the military after graduation were also acknowledged during the ceremony. Those students were Ethan Chambers – U.S. Marines, Elijah Ethredge – U.S. National Guard, Hunter Loosberg – U.S. Air Force ROTC, and Seth MacGregor – U.S. Navy.

Honor Graduates

The Vidalia High School Honor Graduates maintained an average of 90 throughout their high school careers, Honor Graduates were Amari Atkins, Holland Booth, Khaleece Lee, Barbara Pineiro, Jimmy Thomas, and Alex Williams.

Honor Graduates with Distinction have maintained an average of 90 and have taken at least 8 honors, advanced placement, or dual enrollment classes. Aylin Angel, Cason Banks, Abby Barr, Maggie Beach, Abby Brantley, Haygen Brantley, Reece Hamilton, Ty Carter, Messiah Chapin, Jada Clements, James Collins, Clayton Cox, Micah Davis Brown, Brady Edwards, Rebecca Evans, Autumn Harris, Aaron Hernandez-Martinez, Bailey Hutchins, Hunter Loosberg, Seth MacGregor, Susan Mateo, Walker Moncus, Emily Moran, Ashley Mosley, Chasen Moye, Zach Moye, Emma NeeSmith, Belle Ogle, Drew Patel, Riya Patel, Isabella Ponce, Kailey Query, Harley Rush, Savannah Sikes, Lydia Smith, Madison Starr, Madison Stephens, Hudson Sumner, Emily Thompson, Mary Laura Tippet, Anevia Vann, Kailyn Walker, Ja’Via Walton, Conner Whited, Ashton Williamson, Tori Wright.

The Top 6 Students in the class will have speaking roles at graduation – those students are Aylin Angel, James Collins, Seth Mac-Gregor, Emma Neesmith, Lydia Smith, and Madison Starr.

Graduation Vidalia High School Class of 2023 Indians will graduate Friday, May 26, at Buck Cravey Field.

VHS Salutatorian Aylin Angel