Where are you from?
Griffin, Georgia.

What activities have you been involved with during college?
At Georgia College, I have enjoyed completing the Emerging Leaders Program my first year, and I have loved being involved with BCM. BCM has given me the amazing opportunity to have a community and grow as a person.

What was your favorite class/professor and why?
My favorite professor has been Dr. Olha Osobov. She has been my cohort leader for the past two years, and I cannot even begin to explain how much I have learned from her. She has taught me what it means to be a good teacher, and all that entails. I would certainly be much less prepared for my career without her guidance.

What does it mean for you to be named a valedictorian?
Being named valedictorian has a special meaning for me. College, especially the cohort, has not always been easy. Being valedictorian means celebrating hard work and remembering all it has taken to where I am today.

Can you talk about how you came straight from high school to the education cohort?
During high school, I had the amazing opportunity to be involved in dual-enrollment at a local college. I enjoyed the extra freedom that came with this experience and was happy to work towards my goals. I graduated with my associate’s degree a few weeks before my high school graduation. I am glad that Georgia College allowed me to enter the cohort straight out of high school. The first semester was challenging for me to transition to the demands of the cohort and college life, but I have loved it. Even though it is a little unusual, I feel that I have been ready for each new challenge and blessed to have the opportunity.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation this May, I have two days to celebrate before I begin my master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I am excited to learn more about effective teaching and learning and being involved in more research connected to the field of early childhood education. After completing my master’s degree, I look forward to teaching and having my own classroom.

Anything else you’d like to mention?
I am beyond thankful for Georgia College and cannot say enough about the quality of the education program. I am excited to enter the master’s program this summer, and I have marveled every semester at the amount of information I have learned and how much more ready I feel to be in charge of my own classroom.