Top of the Class
High Schools Name 2021 Valedictorians, Salutatorians
Central High School
Valedictorian: Skylar Poole
Skylar Poole is the daughter of Rachel Poole. An International Baccalaureate student, she has been a member of FBLA, Academic Team, Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Glee Club. In addition to being named a Georgia Scholar, she was nominated for the Dr. Curtis Jones Leadership Award Scholarship and the Golden Eagle Award in Math as well as being chosen as a finalist for the Gates Scholarship. Skylar will major in Psychology at University of Georgia in the fall.
Salutatorian: Akeba Taylor
Akeba Taylor is the daughter of Ayanna Taylor and Preston Winton. She has been a member of the Academic Team, Beta Club, Art Club, National Honor Society, Key Club and DECA. Also an International Baccalaureate student, she was nominated for the Governor's Honor Program in Math and Spanish, has participated in the Young Georgia Authors competition and has helped to paint murals to benefit the local community. Akeba will major in Neuroscience at the University of Virginia in the fall.
Howard High School
Valedictorian: Eunice Chon
Eunice Chon is the daughter of Daniel and Lois Chon. She leads the Model United Nations chapter, Student Council and student newspaper at Howard. She is also the Student Body President. She serves as Femme for Education's International Director, International STEM and Education Society's Magazine Director, Politique Magazine's editor, and writes for Asian Youth for Civic Engagement. She is a marketing student assistant at the Center for Career and Leadership Development at Middle Georgia State University, where she is receiving an associate degree in Core Curriculum. Eunice presented at the Georgia Collegiate Honors Council Conference, Georgia International Leadership Conference, and Middle Georgia State University Undergraduate Conference. She published two of her research papers in the "Knighted Undergraduate Journal" and received the Middle Georgia State University Student Leadership Award. She is the President of the International Students and Studies Association and Honors Student Association at Middle Georgia State University. She serves the local Macon-Bibb community as an alumna advisor of the Macon Youth Commission. Eunice is a College Board AP Scholar and National Rural and Small-Town Recognition Program Winner. She is a 2021 Golden Eagle Nominee for Social Sciences. She is also a Gates, Coca-Cola and Jack Kent Cooke scholar. Eunice plans to attend Harvard University on a full-ride scholarship to study sociology, religion, or government.
Salutatorian: Michelle Zhang
Michelle Zhang is the daughter of Meng Duo Zhang and Mei Xiu Lin. She is a member of DECA, FBLA, Rho Kappa and the National Honor Society. She has participated in many community service opportunities through these organizations and has been very active in competitions. She also has competed in literary competitions on behalf of Howard High School. In ninth grade, her poem “Testing” was published in the anthology "A Celebration of Poets," published by Creative Communication, and in 12th grade she was awarded second place for her short story “The Outage” in the Howard High contest for Young Georgia Authors. This spring, Michelle was named a 2021 Poetry National Finalist in the 2021 River of Words Environmental Art & Poetry Project for her poem “Lost and Found.” She also represented Howard in Essay at the GHSA Literary Meet. Michelle is a College Board AP Scholar with Distinction, a Certificate of Merit Scholar and Howard High’s 2021 Golden Eagle Nominee for Literature. Michelle plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology and major in Computer Science.
Northeast High School
Valedictorian: Kennedy Randall
Kennedy Randall is the daughter of Ricardo Randall and Quida Daniels. She is the school’s STAR Student, a REACH Scholar, and a member of the Concert Band Ensemble and the Trumpet Section Leader. She is a member of the Macon-Bibb Youth Advisory Council, the Drama Club and the Math Team. She has won the Young Georgia Authors Award, was selected as a semi-finalist for the Governor's Honors Program in Communicative Arts, and a 2021 Golden Eagle Nominee in Literature. Kennedy will attend Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania in the fall, where she will major in Astronomy and Physics with a minor in Philosophy.
Salutatorian: O'niya Threatt
O’Niya Threatt is the daughter of Orin Threatt and Shenita Curry. O’Niya is one of the Captains of the Northeast High Cheer Squad. She is a member of the Track and Field Team, HOSA, AVID, National Technical Honor Society, Upward Bound Trio Program and GHSA Student Council. She is also a 2021 Golden Eagle Nominee in the area of Industrial/Vocational. She has received six college acceptances and plans to attend Savannah State University where she plans to major in Biology. Her goal is to further her studies in the healthcare field and become a Physical Therapist.
Rutland High School
Valedictorian: Piper Riser
Piper Riser is the daughter of Connie and Patrick Riser. She is currently serving as Vice President of National Programs of Rutland’s chapter of FCCLA, as well as a member of the school’s Student Council, DECA and FFA. Piper has competed and placed in Online State Proficiency Tests through FCCLA and volunteered with various local organizations. Piper also has organized and facilitated a children’s toy drive through her school for the Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital. Piper is currently deciding between Mercer University, Middle Georgia State University and Wesleyan College to study in the fall.
Salutatorian: Morgan Carter
Morgan Carter is the daughter of Kerri and Zachary Carter. She is a 2021 Honor Graduate and recipient of the UGA Certificate of Merit Award. She is the Woodwind Section Leader of the Pride of the Hurricanes Marching Band and plays tenor saxophone for the Jazz Band as well as the Wind Ensemble. At Rutland, she performed for several parades, earned two district-level awards for participating in the National History Day Competition and was a frequent blood donor for the American Red Cross. In the fall, Morgan will be majoring in Biology at Georgia Southern University.
Southwest High School
Valedictorian: Jasmine Martin
Jasmine Martin is the daughter of Michael and Tiffany Martin. As a Southwest student, she has obtained college credit through dual enrollment and W.S. Hutchings College and Career Academy. At Hutchings, she earned her Certified Nursing Assistant Licensure, CPR License, and is soon to earn her Emergency Medical Technician Licensure. Her extracurricular activities include Vice President of Bibb County 4-H, Section Leader of Southwest High School Marching Band, Reporter of Health Occupations Students of America and Secretary of Future Business Leaders of America. She is also the owner of her own small, customized jewelry business, JEM Jewels. Jasmine is also a REACH Scholar. In the fall, Jasmine will attend Georgia College and State University to major in Nursing.
Salutatorian: Amauri Cotton
Amauri Cotton is the daughter of Leshannon and Hytonious Cotton. She is a REACH Scholar, a member of the Mentor’s Project and a National Honor Society member. As a Southwest Patriot, she has earned numerous college credits through dual enrollment and has earned two technical college certificates. She plans to attend Georgia State University as a business major in the fall.
Westside High School
Valedictorian: Mona James
Mona James is the daughter of Johnny and JoAnn James. She is a member of the Beta Club, FBLA and Upward Bound Math-Science Program. She is an active member of her community, volunteering with the Salvation Army, the Rescue Mission and Loaves and Fishes throughout the year. She is a 2019 Governor's Honors Program nominee for Social Studies. Mona will major in Mathematics at Georgia State University in the fall.
Salutatorian: Angel Hoang
Angel Hoang is the daughter of Xin Tran and Thanh Hoang and the salutatorian of the 2021 graduating class at Westside High School. Angel is a dedicated member of the BETA and FBLA clubs. She already has obtained an internship opportunity at Robins Air Force Base. Angel will attend the University of Georgia and major in Computer Science.
Bibb County School District
VISION: Each student will demonstrate strength of character and will be college or career ready.
MISSION: The Bibb County School District develops a highly trained staff and an engaged community dedicated to educating each student for a 21st century global society.
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