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Evan Quarles -
Eamonn O'Bryant
White County High School recently announced Evan Quarles as the 2021 class valedictorian, with Eamonn O’Bryant as the salutatorian.
Quarles said he knew he was near the top of the class, but wasn’t sure if he had the top spot.
“I couldn’t stop shaking and it felt unreal,” Quarles said about finding out he was valedictorian. “It felt like I was sleeping. Some point later after it happened, it hit and it felt awesome.”
He said he plans to attend Georgia Tech and major in some type of engineering. After college, he would like to get a job where he can help people.
“I really want to get a job where I can put in work for other people and help other people,” Quarles said. “So maybe some type of city planning or an attorney.”
As for why engineering, Quarles said he likes math and science, along with politics.
“I’m going to minor in poli-sci, and I might be an attorney, an environmental attorney,” Quarles said.
Quarles is also involved in Beta Club, marching band, concert band, Science Olympiad, National Honor Society, student council, the United Community Bank Junior Board of Directors and more. He added that he plays the French horn, which he’s played since eighth grade, and the piano, which he’s played most of his life. Science Olympiad and quiz bowl are his favorite extracurricular activities.
O’Bryant said finding out he was salutatorian was exciting.
“I knew I was up there, but I wasn’t sure if anyone had passed me or not,” O’Bryant said. “But I was really excited when they told me, it was a really good feeling.”
O’Bryant said he hasn’t decided yet where he wants to go to college, but wants to major in either civil or environmental engineering.
“I’ve always enjoyed math and science, and building things, so I think engineering will be a really good thing for me to go in,” O’Bryant said. “Also, just different subject matters that have to deal with them I think are really interesting.”
O’Bryant added that his college decision will also depend on if he’s going to continue his cross country and track career.
“I’ve applied to UGA and Georgia Tech, and I’m still waiting to hear back from both of them,” O’Bryant said. “That’s if I end up not running college. I’m talking to a coach in Chattanooga right now.”
O’Bryant runs 5k with cross country, the 800-meter and 1600-meter with track, and is on the 4x4 relay team. He is also the co-president of the Science National Honor Society and captain of the Science Olympiad Team.
As for a future job, O’Bryant said he wants to do something where he can help better people or society, “whether it’s making some new technology or renovating something.”