Ruth Davidson is White County High School’s Class of 2022 valedictorian, with Rachel Harris earning salutatorian honors.
Davidson said she is excited to be named valedictorian, though she recognizes the hard work of her classmates.
“I have a lot of friends who are really up there with me, so I know they worked just as hard as me,” she said. “I was thinking that I wanted to be able to represent them too and not just be about me.”
Davidson is deciding between attending the University of Georgia or Berry College.
“The experiences are totally different; One is a small private school and the other is a really big public school – both have their pluses,” she said.
While Davidson is currently undecided on a major, she believes it will be in the field of broadcasting or film.
Davidson’s extracurricular activities include Warrior Television Network, Thespian Club, Student Council, Beta Club, National Honors Society, Science Olympiad, Science National Honors Society, and Junior Board. She worked part-time at Chick-fil-A last year but has decided not to work in her senior year to focus on her extracurricular activities and classes.
“I am really thankful for all of my academic teachers but specifically the non-academic ones too,” Davidson said. “Whether it be broadcasting or art or theater, those people pour so much into students. And typically when you are recognized for your grades, those teachers don’t get the credit, but they’re like our support system.”
Harris plans to attend the University of North Georgia to study math education and get certified in special education. She is proud of her achievement but said the numbers haven’t been important to her. “In my high school career, it wasn’t something that I cared about. I just wanted to be top 10%, top of my class, I didn’t really care about a number, so it was a big achievement and excitement for me finding out what I had accomplished,” Harris said.
She has been working at Chick-fil-A when she isn’t busy with soccer, which she has played for all four years of high school. She also participates in extracurricular activities such as Student Council, Warrior Television Network, Junior Board, National honors Society, Beta Club, Science Olympiad and Project Unify.
Harris hopes to travel this summer between graduation and college.
“My family has talked about maybe driving out to California and going to Disneyland and driving up the coast. Or just going somewhere, to get away for a little bit before I start on the next journey,” she said.
Graduation for the WCHS Class of 2022 is scheduled for Friday, May 27.