Bottom row: Michael Stone, Brenna Conley, Daniel Armstrong, Chad Peltier
May 2008
South Forsyth High School's
8 Outstanding Seniors
by Judy Le Jeune
photography by Rod Reilly
3651 Peachtree Parkway Suite 425 - Suwanee, GA 30024
This year, for the first time, the yearbook staff decided to honor eight students from the senior class and feature these students in the senior section of the 2008 yearbook. The selection process began with nominations from teachers who were asked to select students that they had taught who they considered to be well-rounded and possess admirable qualities. "The yearbook staff wanted to honor eight outstanding seniors whose passion, commitment, academic achievement, service, character, and personal growth have not only contributed to the South community but also impacted the lives of its faculty and students," said Natalie Kitchen, English Teacher and Yearbook Advisor. Those nominated were then required to write an essay that reflected upon their high school experience and submit their essay along with a resume of activities and honors. A committee comprised of administrators and teachers considered each nominee's essay and resume, without knowing which student submitted them, and selected the "8 Outstanding Seniors." Jeff Cheney, Senior Administrator and Assistant Principal said of the selected students: "Our outstanding seniors reflect the many attributes that we seek in an exceptional citizen. They participate locally, nationally and globally with organizations that are designed to improve our society. Their efforts help advance our school community and they are great role models for our aspiring student leaders. You could call on any one of these students to lead an initiative at the school or community level and they would get the job done. What is most amazing, is that they do all of this while maintaining a rigorous course of study."
South Forsyth High School's "8 Outstanding Seniors" are:
Christy Adams
Though Christy is still considering her choices of which college she will attend, she definitely knows that wherever she goes, she will major in Elementary Education. Christy is getting hands-on experience in the classroom as part of a Student Teaching Program. She spends her first two class periods in a second grade class at Shiloh Point Elementary. Christy has a passion for working with children that was increased by a mission trip she took to Guanaja, Honduras. There, she saw that the children had an impoverished education, which made her even more committed to becoming an educator. She also went on a mission trip to Merida, Mexico and will return this summer to work for two months as an intern. While there, Christy will work as a translator and organize the mission's teams and projects. She has also worked in the community at an after-school tutoring program for Spanish-speaking children and helped to implement an educational camp for Hispanic children. This year Christy has served as the President of DECA. South's chapter of DECA is the largest in Georgia and the second largest in the world. "DECA has given me the opportunity to improve my leadership skills, presentation skills and the ability to work well with others," said Christy. In her junior year, Christy placed 3rd in the world at the DECA International Career Development Conference.
Daniel Armstrong
Daniel Armstrong describes himself as "caring" and "a leader." The activities that he has participated in during high school exemplify these characteristics. Daniel is an active Boy Scout and has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He has participated in and led many service projects through Scouts and his church. While in Guatemala for Spanish immersion study, Daniel started "Operation Soccer Shoe," a project that involved collecting shoes and balls that were donated to a poverty-stricken school in the Guatemalan mountains. Daniel was selected to participate in the Governor's Honors Program, is a graduate of Youth Leadership Forsyth, was a Forsyth County delegate to the Georgia Youth Summit, and has won or placed in: the American Mathematics Competition, the North Georgia College & State University Math Tournament, the Georgia National Fair Youth Art Competition, and South's Varsity Academic Team, to name a few. He is a National Merit Finalist and an inducted member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society. In addition to all these leadership, service and academic accolades, Daniel makes time to be a member of South's Southside Dance Company, play basketball and be a freelance photographer. "I am a regular guy with a thirst for living and learning," says Daniel. "We are products of our experiences, and mine have led me to be caring, creative and motivated."
Alyssa Baskam
Though Alyssa has not yet decided where she will attend college, one thing is for sure: Alyssa will succeed wherever her future takes her because of her self-described "determination" and "spunk." With an intense interest in international affairs and politics, Alyssa is planning to pursue a career in law, her own business or in government. She has already been on two European trips planned by AP History teacher, Jonathan Henderson, and went on another during this year's spring break. Alyssa is also an artist, discovering her talent in acrylic painting when she was required to take an art class in her freshman year. 1st place in Acrylic Painting at the Georgia National Fair is only one of the many awards she has won for her art work. Volunteering has also been an important activity for Alyssa who went on a ten day Mission Trip to Brazil. "This was such a rewarding experience for me because we built a church in four days and were able to see the immediate outcome of our work by having the opportunity to attend the first church service," said Alyssa. But it is as a tennis player that Alyssa found the value of teamwork and friendship. She has played tennis for South all four years, her junior and senior year on the Varsity Team.
Brenna Conley
Brenna will attend Berry College this fall and major in English. She is a National Merit Finalist and will graduate from South Forsyth High School with an International Baccalaureate Programme Diploma. Brenna's career goal is to be a writer and she is motivated by her love of words. "The dream I have nurtured like a garden is that of becoming a writer," said Brenna. "What I find most spectacular about writing is that when someone reads a sentence that I write, the implications of each word and the delicate patterns they create connect me to the reader by a thread of thought. With words, I weave minds together." Brenna is also a French student and spent three weeks in Lille, France living with a host family as an exchange student through the Junior Diplomat Program. She has a long list of community service and especially enjoyed the one week a year trips she has made for the past three years volunteering for Son Servant's Mission Trips. "I found these trips to be the most rewarding because they were all different and meeting the people was amazing," said Brenna. "I have also learned a lot from the past year of leading and teaching service projects as the Project Manager for the National Honor Society."
Bryn Murphy
Bryn Murphy was given the Senior Superlative "Miss SFHS." Looking at her resume of academic achievements, extracurricular and leadership activities, and community service, it is easy to see why. Bryn was chosen to participate in the Georgia Governor's Honors Program; she is a member and officer of the Spanish National Honor Society; and she is a member, choreographer and President of South's Southside Dance Company. Bryn has participated in Model United Nations; is a graduate of the Northside Hospital Forsyth Volunteen Program; volunteers at Northside's Emergency Department as a Spanish translator and much, much more. Bryn is the Founder of "Superbaile," a salsa night fundraiser evening at South that will be an annual event. The money raised is sent to a rural library in Apuela, Ecuador for them to purchase books. Bryn loves languages and plans to learn many more in the future and she also loves to dance. Prior to joining South's Southside Dance Company, Bryn had been trained only in classical ballet and pointe, but the Company gave her the opportunity to learn jazz, modern and lyrical. Bryn volunteers to teach dance to five-year olds and thinks that "it is really cool to see how much they love to dance." Bryn will soon be making a final decision between going to Georgetown University or accepting a Foundation Fellowship at UGA.
Kayde Nester
Kayde applied early action to UGA, was accepted, and is looking forward to going there this fall. She will be continuing her education to reach her career goal of being a doctor. Though not sure what field of medicine she will specialize in, Kayde is considering pediatric oncology or becoming a surgeon. During her years in high school, Kayde was a member of the Healthcare Occupational Students of America, receiving local, state and national recognition. She also attended Brenau Medical Camp. "I have tried to succeed both academically and socially and give back to the community," said Kayde. Her involvement in the community has included volunteering as a mentor at Shiloh Point Elementary. "I love working with the children," said Kayde. "Each of them needs a mentor for a different reason and helping each child has been a very rewarding experience." Kayde is a member of both the National Honors Society and the Spanish National Honors Society. Looking back over her years of high school and towards her future, Kayde comments, "As I persevere down the road of life, I will reflect on the lessons and choices I have made in high school and carry them with me forever. These past four years at South, the choices I have made and the influence of my teachers and parents have set me forward towards achieving an extraordinary destiny."
Chad Peltier
Chad Peltier plans to major in pre-law at UGA, with career goals of becoming either a malpractice defense attorney or working as a corporate lawyer for a major financial institution. With a future in the legal profession, it's no surprise that Chad is an award-wining public speaker. He was the South Forsyth High School, Forsyth County, and District winner of the Optimist Club Oratorical Contest and the first place Regional winner of the Literary Competition's Boys Extemporaneous Speech, moving on to the State competition. What is surprising is that Chad auditioned for South Forsyth High School's Southside Dance Company at the beginning of his senior year. With no previous dance experience, Chad made the Company and considers learning more about dance and performing "a lot of fun." Chad's other interests prove him to be a very diverse individual with his participation in: The Model United Nations, Student Council, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Cumming First United Methodist Church Choir, American Legion Boy's State and much more. Comparing his life to a symphony, Chad said, "Music is written every day of my life, yet the symphony still reflects the passionate, strong, and balanced person I have become, ever eager to compose more stanzas of my life as I graduate and move to college."
Michael Stone
Michael Stone's family has been residents of Forsyth County since the early 1900s. Describing himself as "determined and dedicated," Michael is also "grateful" for the opportunities that he has been given while growing up in Forsyth County. He gives back to his community whenever possible and plans to continue doing so. One of Michael's future career objectives is to become County Coroner and the Mayor of Cumming. Michael has worked as a Funeral Assistant at Ingram Funeral Home since 2005 and, in addition to participating in funeral preparation and playing the piano at funerals; Michael also provides comfort to families. He is also the full time church pianist at Brookwood Baptist Church. Michael is the youngest member of the Forsyth County Singing Class, a group of singers who perform at church conventions. He is also a member of the Cumming Steam Engine Association and participates annually in the Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade that his great-grandfather started in 1957. Michael will receive a Dual Seal Diploma for completing both the Tech Prep and College Prep curriculums. "My high school experience has allowed me to be more mature in all aspects of life and be an individual who is ready to take in all that life has in store," said Michael.
Each of these students has achieved many accomplishments and contributed to their school and their community. Congratulations to the "8 Outstanding Seniors" and best of luck to all of you as you move on to college and your future endeavors.
