Graduation set for May 27

This is the final week before one class of graduating seniors will make the transitions from students to alumni. Graduation is set for Friday, May 27, 2016 and during the past four years, three students have made it their mission to finish their high school academic career in the top three of their class.

This year, as in recent years, the top three aren’t labeled as Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Historian. Their titles are First, Second and Third Academic Honorees.

This year, Zack Garmon holds the top spot with a grade point average of 4.244.

He is the grandson of Ina Mercer and the late Dale Mercer and the son of Sara Ramsey.

Garmon said keeping up with his grades while doing other extracurricular activities wasn’t difficult, but he really had to manage his time well.

“A lot of people think it’s like crazy hard, but it wasn’t too bad,” Garmon said. “People think you loose a social life and stuff, but I still maintained that. I still play baseball. It’s dedication more than anything and keeping up with things that go on from day to day. Make sure you keep up with your tests and stuff and get plenty of sleep.”

Garmon said being in the top of his class was a goal he has had since becoming a freshman four years ago.

“I always wanted to be in the top three,” Garmon said. “I thought it would be pretty cool.”

Garmon attributes a lot of his success onto several different people. He said there are too many teachers to name who have been there for him and helped him along the way.

“All my family has helped. My grandma never said to get all As or anything, but she always wanted me to do my best. I always tried to do that,” Garmon said. “Coach (Michial) Conner said to always compete in what ever you do. I’m really competitive and I love that philosophy.”

With Garmon playing baseball four days per week and keeping up with a practice schedule throughout the year, he said it has been a little difficult putting his energy into everything at once, but he feels like he has been successful at managing his time.

“Sometimes you get in late from a game and you have to study. I’ve stayed up many times until 11:30 or 12 studying,” Garmon said. “I keep my calendar in my phone updated, that way I’m sure not to forget about them.”

Garmon plans to attend the University of Kentucky in the fall and pursue a career in Bio-systems Engineering.

“It’s like environment issues … the ozone layer depleting is a pretty big issue,” Garmon said. “It’s looking at solving stuff like that and looking at ways to fix it. You can actually go into wildlife which is a side I may go into.”

Garmon said the past four years have flown by.

“You hear people tell you that and you don’t really believe them, but it has gone by pretty quick,” Garmon said.

Garmon had some advice for incoming freshmen who will begin to walk the halls at CCHS this fall. He said to study hard and not to worry if you let a few grades slip here and there.

“Don’t loose friendships … be sure and keep up a social life too,” Garmon said. “Try new things. High school is like a time to find yourself.”

Looking back, Garmon said he will miss baseball the most. He said he has been playing the sport since little league and it’s going to be hard to stop playing.

“I will miss the friendships too. I’ve formed a bunch of friendships throughout high school. It’s definitely going to be different going to UK and seeing a crazy number of people up there,” Garmon said.

The Second Academic Honoree is Katie Beth Williams. She posted a GPA of 4.204 during her four years of high school.

Katie Beth Williams has earned the second academic honor this year. She is the daughter of Mike and Teresa Williams.

“You have to balance everything … sports, family, and academics. You just have to balance to where you can manage them all and put a lot of hard work into all of them,” Williams said.

Williams is also a member of the volleyball team and the archery team. She said making time for everything was difficult.

“It’s difficult, but if you balance it well enough and put in a lot of hard work, then you can have them both.”

Williams said there has been a lot of people who have influence her over the years.

“I wouldn’t say it was just one person,” Williams said. “My family has really guided me, but I have always looked up to my brother (Jacob). My family always told me you can do anything with motivation.”

Other than being on the volleyball and archery team, Williams is also the president of the Leo Club and has spent a lot of time on the “No Kid Hungry” project.

After high school, Williams also plans to attend the University of Kentucky. She is set on a career in communication disorders.

“I like helping people,” Williams said. “I’ve grown up helping people so it’s kind of just in me to help.”

Williams said she would tell the incoming freshmen to give it everything they have.

“Always stay true to yourselves and put in what you want to get back,” Williams said. “Don’t let pointless drama bother you.”

Much like Garmon, Williams said she will miss playing sports after she graduates.

“I will miss volleyball and Mrs. Hunter,” Williams said. “I will miss a lot of teachers actually. I’ve always wanted to do good and try hard … to be the best I can be.”

This year’s third academic honor, formerly known as the Historian, falls to Jordan Grant.

Grant will finish her high school career with a 4.156 GPA. She is the daughter of Chad and Lora Grant.

Grant said, for her, there is a lot of hard work that went into her academic success.

“There is a lot of preparation and studying,” Grant said. “I’ve learned you have to study hard and work hard to get the success you need.”

Grant also had other activities that occupied her time, including volleyball and band.

“You have to make time to do your activities and study. You have to learn how to manage your time,” Grant said. “Some weeks you will have several tests all in the same week and I know the teachers don’t plan that, but it can be difficult.”

Grant said her mom has been a very positive influence in her life.

“She has always pushed me to do my best and to never give up,” Grant said.

After high school, Grant said she plans to attend Western Kentucky University in the fall and to pursue a degree in biology.

“I want to go on and become an optometrist,” Grant said. “I like helping people and I think the study of eyes is pretty neat.”

Other than sports, Grant also worked closely with the “No Kid Hungry” project.

Grant said once she graduates she will miss volleyball and band, as well as the friends she has made along the way.

“I’ve made a lot of good friends and I will miss them a lot,” Grant said.

After Friday night, May 27, more than 100 students will become a part of society as adults and alumni of Clinton County High School.

The accumulation of the past four years will come together with the awarding of their high school diploma and they will then be ready for the next chapter of their lives.

Graduation at Clinton County High School is set for 7 p.m. on May 27.

Zack Garmon

Katie Williams

Jordan Grant