Local students recognized by Athens Rotary Club for Success in Education, front row from left, are Anna Persell, Brooks Olree, Caitlin Christopher, Deborah Fontanez, Shelley Jones, Mary Norwood, Samantha Graham and Sydney Whitt; back row, Brooklyn Craig, Kendall Davenport, Maria Valenzuela, Carrie Rochell, Olivia Spencer, Lizbeth Salgado-Gomez, Zach Hampton, Kayla Griffin and Griffin Holt. Not pictured is Samuel Sandlin.

Area high school seniors recently received recognition by Athens Rotary Club for their academic success, participation in extracurricular activities and community service. 

The following students in Athens and Limestone County were recognized as Successes in Education:

Athens Bible School

Anna Persell

Persell scored in the top 3 percent nationally for her PSAT score, making her a National Merit Commended student. She is one of 100 students statewide recognized as a Bryant-Jordan Scholar Athlete Regional Winner for her ability to excel academically and athletically. Persell is active in student government as her senior class secretary, and previously held the junior class representative position on the Student Council. She was also selected for the Limestone County Sheriff’s Youth Advisory Board and is active in school clubs including the Beta Club, History Club and Above & Beyond Club. She is a part of the cross country team, and she plays basketball and softball. Persell was selected as the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen and voted Miss Athens Bible School. She is the daughter of Stephen and Sharon Persell.

Brooks Olree

Olree is recognized for being the class president and participating in several clubs throughout his high school career, including the Beta Club. He was also selected to the First National Bank Student Advisory Board. He is the son of Keith and Angie Olree.

Athens City Schools

Athens High School

Caitlin Christopher

Christopher ranked No. 1 out of 216 students in her graduating class. She maintained a 4.26 GPA and took several college dual enrollment classes. She will earn the Honors Endorsement on her diploma. Her extracurricular activities include the Beta Club, National Honor Society, HOSA Club and Pi Beta Sigma Community Service Sorority. Christopher is co-captain on the varsity cheerleading squad and selected as an All American Cheerleader. She competed at the Onyx All-Stars for four years, and her team won the Summit Nation Championship in 2014. She is employed as the Athletic Director’s Assistant at Athens High School. As Christopher begins her college career, she will receive the Vanguard Scholarship from the University of North Alabama and a local scholarship from the National Wild Turkey Federation. She is an active member in the youth program at Central Church of Christ and is the daughter of Phillip Christopher and Carolyn Porter.

Deborah Fontanez

Fontanez maintained a 4.2 GPA and will graduate with an Advanced diploma designation. She received academic achievement awards in geometry, biology, world history, theatre and pre-calculus. She served in leadership roles such as secretary of the Beta Club, treasurer and historian of the National Art Honor Society and as a representative for the Student Council from 2015-2017. Fontanez received a superior rating with advancement to the national level for her vocal solo at the Alabama State Fine Arts Competition. She was selected to serve on the Mayors Youth Commission. She is in FFCLA, Spanish Club, Octagon Club and Sub Deb Community Service Sorority. She stayed active on the varsity track team from 2013-2017 and played basketball for a year. Fontanez is an active member in the youth council and worship team at New Life Assembly of God, and is the daughter of Paul and Tamara Fontanez.

Lindsay Lane Christian Academy

Shelley Jones

Jones stayed on the Honor Roll for 13 years and was selected as a member of the First National Bank Student Advisory Board. She placed 3rd overall in Language Arts at the Alabama State Beta Club convention. Her leadership roles include secretary of Beta Club, secretary of the National Honor Society and secretary of the Student Council. Jones also served as secretary for all her classes beginning freshman year. Her community service is through participation with Camp Hope, Stuff the Bus, World Changers, Toys for Tots and she helped furnish the Mental Health House.

She is an Intern at the Athens/Limestone United Way and an active member of Sardis Springs Baptist Church. Jones is the daughter of Roger and Carol Jones.

Mary Norwood

Norwood placed 1st in her school for the American Chemical Society Award, then went on to place 2nd overall in the Wilson Dam Section of Alabama. She placed 1st locally and 2nd statewide in the Civitan Essay Contest and was named Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen. She stayed active in Beta Club and the National Honor Society for three years. She is the daughter of Bob and Brenda Norwood.

Limestone County Schools

Ardmore High School

Samantha Graham

Graham achieved membership the 30+ ACT Club by being in the 5 percent of students who score more than 30 on the ACT. She excels in duel enrollment classes and is in the Top 5 Average for Literature. She is active in the Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, Yearbook Staff, Federation of Christian Athletes and serves as secretary in the Spanish Club. Graham is captain of the girls varsity soccer team. She received the Athletic Award for soccer and was named Best in Sportsmanship. She participates in the Huntsville Police Ranger youth program and volunteers at the Athens-Limestone Animal Shelter. Graham is the daughter of Gary and Janet Graham.

Sydney Whitt

Whitt achieved membership to the 30+ ACT Club and is in the Top 5 Average for Core Subjects. She is a member of the Limestone County Gifted Program. She received the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship award and was selected as Girls State Representative. Whitt served in leadership positions on the First National Bank Student Advisory Board as vice president, Science Club vice president and captain of the Scholars Bowl team. She is co-captain of the varsity cheer squad and was voted Most School Spirit. She is a active member of her church’s youth group and sings in the choir. She is the daughter of Alex and Lori Whitt.

Clements High School

Brooklyn Craig

Craig stayed on the academic honor roll for the last four years and is a nominee for the National Society of High School Scholars. She is vice president of the First National Bank Student Advisory Board and vice president of her senior class. She is active in Beta Club, Pep Club and is president of the Key Club. Craig plays basketball on the girls varsity basketball team and was named CHS Prom Queen. She is the daughter of Phillip and Leigh Anne Craig.

Samuel Sandlin

Sandlin ranked No. 1 in his senior class and maintains the highest average in algebra I, algebra II/trigonometry, geometry and pre-calculus. He is the Boys State Representative for Clements. His leadership roles include serving as class president every year of high school beginning in his freshman year. He is also the vice president of the Spanish Club and treasurer of the Key Club. He plays on the Clements varsity soccer team. He is now captain of the drum line in the school band but has been a part of it for six years. Sandlin achieved Eagle Scout status of the Boy Scouts of America. He is the son of Tim and Sharon Sandlin.

East Limestone High School

Kendall Davenport

Davenport received the University of Alabama Foundation in Excellence Academic Scholarship and was invited to leadership programs such as the Hugh O’Brien Leadership Foundation’s HOBY Conference and American Legion Girls State. She is a member of the First National Bank Advisory Board and the Limestone County Sheriff’s Youth Advisory Board. Davenport is president of the school Beta Club and president of the Student Council Association. She is in the Math Club, Science Club, Spanish Club, First Priority and leader of Cool-2-Be-Kind, the anti-bullying effort at East Limestone. She is the daughter of David and Kelley Davenport.

Maria Valenzuela

Valenzuela uses her passion for dance to give back to the community through volunteer work at Just For Me, a special needs dance program. She is a teaching assistant at Adonai School of Ballet and Fine Arts, and has taught at West Main Studios. She in the school Science Club, Beta Club and Diamond Dolls. Valenzuela is the daughter of Alberto Valenzuela and Rebecca Daniels.

Elkmont

Carrie Rochell

Rochell stayed on the A Honor Roll from the time she was in kindergarten through her senior year of high school and achieved the Highest Average Awards in math, science and English. She received the President’s Education Awards for Spanish, Reading and History. She is president of the Beta Club and a member of FCCLA and Mu Alpha Theta. Rochell was named All County in volleyball. She is the daughter of Tim and Lorie Rochell.

Olivia Spencer

Spencer is one of 20 member in Together Renewing and Improving Limestone, an organization that requires teacher nominations and lengthy interviews, and was selected as a representative for PHLSH, the National Youth Board associated with TRAIL. She maintains a spot on the A Honor Roll and was invited as a member of the Limestone County Sheriff’s Youth Advisory Council. She is part of Mu Alpha Theta, the Beta Club, FCCLA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Spanish Club. She volunteers with KALB, Spirit of Athens, Boys & Girls Club, Relay for Life, Special Olympics, and assists with vacation Bible school at her church. She is the daughter of Jay and Lovena Spencer.

Tanner

Zacchaeus Hampton

Hampton received the Samford University Presidential Scholarship for his academic achievement and involvement in leadership roles at school, church and his community. He received the President’s Education Award and the Woodmen of the World History Award. Hampton is class president, Beta Club vice president and Pathfinders Enrichment Program team leader. He stayed on the A Honor Roll throughout his high school career and has the highest average in math, science and English. He is on the Student Council, National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has also performed in several plays. Hampton was selected to serve on the Limestone County Sheriff’s Youth Council, Limestone County Superintendent’s Student Senate and received nomination for the Limestone County Spirit Award for Tanner. After playing on the varsity basketball team for four years, he is team captain. Hampton was elected Prom King. He is the son of Robert and Margie Hampton.

Lizbeth Salgado

Salgado achieved the highest average in forensics, pre-calculus, algebra II and trigonometry, and was selected for the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship award. She is in the Beta Club and Student Council. She plays varsity volleyball, soccer and ran cross country. She kept her spot as soccer team captain for three years and was named to the All County 1st Team for soccer and Area Honorable Mention. She worked part-time for the last two-and-a-half years. She is daughter of Rigo and Flora Salgado.

West Limestone

Kayla Griffin

Griffin is in the top 5 percent of students nationwide who achieved membership to the 30+ ACT Club. She earned the highest average awards in all nine of her duel enrollment college courses, anatomy class, AP biology and Spanish classes. She received the President’s Award for Academic Excellence every year of her high school career and is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. She is a 10-year member of the Limestone County Gifted Program. Her leadership experiences include Beta Club president, Science Club president, and class vice president for the last three years. She received recognition as an All-American Cheerleader for three years and served as cheer captain her senior year. Griffin participated in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical and pointe dance for 15 years, and performed with the North Alabama Ballet in the “The Nutcracker.” She also held several lead roles with the Adonai School of Ballet and Fine Arts. Griffin taught Just for Me dance classes to special needs children and gained business and customer service working at her family’s business, Isom’s Orchard, the last four summers.

Griffin is a member of the Key Club and FCCLA, and donates her time to Birdie Thornton, Head Start, Read Across America and church mission work. She is the daughter of Marty and Mary Ann Griffin.

Griffin Holt

Holt is Valedictorian of his graduating class and is part of the 30+ ACT Club. He received an average score of at least 3.25 on all his AP exams and scores more than 3.0 on four or more of those exams, making him an AP Scholar with Honor. He is a member of the Limestone County Gifted Program, National Society of High School Scholars and was selected for Alabama Boys State. He served on the Limestone County Superintendent’s Student Senate for the last three years, the First National Bank Student Advisory Board and the Limestone County Sheriff’s Advisory Board. Holt served as class president for the last three years, Science Club president and Beta Club vice-president for two years. He received 1st and 3rd place honors in the Science Division at the Alabama State Beta Club Conventions. He participated in the Scholars Bowl and played in the band for six years, served as band captain for two years and trumpet section leader for five years. Holt played in the University of Alabama, Auburn University and University of North Alabama Honor Bands. He achieved 3rd chair in the All State Honor Band. He volunteers in the community with LCCI, Birdie Thornton, Athens-Limestone Hospital and the Salvation Army. He’s the song leader at his church. Holt is the son of Larry and Sheila Holt and Angie Holt.