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Hebron graduates excel athletically, academically |
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Monday, 18 May 2009 |
By Jennifer Gentile
Daily Times Leader
Twenty six seniors from Hebron Christian School bid a final adieu to their high school days Saturday.
The graduating class of 2009 was the largest the school has ever seen, and according to English teacher Michael Shelton, it was also the most accomplished.
“This group has more awards academically and athletically than any other class in the school's history,” Shelton said. “They've won awards in everything from poetry to football.”
Athletically, the school won district titles in football, softball, girls and boys basketball and baseball.
Academically, Shelton said the class has posted the highest ACT scores in Hebron history collectively and individually, with two students scoring 29 and one scoring 31.
In addition, “seven qualified for STAR student this year, and there have been years where we haven't had anybody qualify.”
The Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition, or STAR, program is sponsored by the Mississippi Economic Council's M.B. Swayze Foundation. The honorees are chosen for their academic excellence based on comparison of ACT scores and scholastic averages.
Hebron's honoree, Jin-Soo Choy, was also named the valedictorian of her class. Choy was ill Friday and not available for comment by press time.
Some of the highlights of senior Tate Cutshall's time at Hebron were being chosen class president and being named salutatorian.
“I've enjoyed my time here,” Cutshall said. “The teachers are really close to you; it's such a small school that you're close to everybody, and I enjoy that aspect of it.”
Cutshall also participated in Model Security Council, which brings students together from across the state to simulate the United Nations.
“You volunteer to go, and you get in a delegation and debate issues,” he explained. Cutshall was a representative for Great Britain, and he and his partner won “outstanding delegation.”
Aside from his impressive academic credentials, Cutshall has been very active athletically for Hebron — including playing baseball, basketball and football. He was recently named an alternate representative for the MPSAA All-Star baseball game May 23 in Jackson.
With high school now behind him, Cutshall will be attending Mississippi State University to study pre-pharmacy.
He said what he is looking forward to most in college is “the freedom.”
“I can choose my classes,” Cutshall added. “I get to pursue something I want to do.”
Maci Towery, who was named class historian, described herself as an “overachiever.”
“I'm very competitive,” said the new graduate, who came to Hebron in the sixth grade.
In her time at the school, Towery has played basketball, been on the cheerleading squad, and run track in addition to excelling academically. As a junior, she participated in the Hugh O' Brian Youth Leadership seminar in Jackson.
Towery named sports as a highlight of her days at Hebron.
“I was here the very first time we won district championship (in basketball),” she said.
After two years at East Mississippi Community College, Towery plans to attend MSU. Her aspiration is to become a veterinarian.
If she had her high school days to do over, Towery said she probably wouldn't change a thing.
“I've enjoyed all that's happened at Hebron,” she said. “If things wouldn't have happened, I wouldn't have learned from them. Everything happens for a reason.”
In addition to the 26 graduating seniors, Hebron gave an honorary diploma to Cody Spence, who attended the school through the end of his 11th grade year before moving to Union, Mississippi.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 01 June 2009 )
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