Brookwood upperclassmen receive school honors
As the school year draws to a close, Brookwood’s Upper School celebrated its highest achieving upperclassmen with its annual honors ceremony Upper School Director David Grooms said the Class of 2018 continues Brookwood School’s consistent tradition of academic excellence.
“Students have been accepted to several outstanding colleges across the country,” he said. “The class, as a whole, has been willing to set high goals and work diligently in trying to attain those goals.”
This year’s valedictorian, senior Jordon Brinkley, earned the highest cumulative grade point average amongst his classmates during their four years in high school. As is tradition, Brinkley will addressgraduates during their commencement ceremony on May 19, leaving them with parting words as they scatter and move forward to college.
College Counselor Vic Spigener, who retires this year after more than 40 years in education, said he couldn’t think of a more deserving valedictorian.
“In a society where we often doubt the values of young people, Jordon gives me hope for the future. He is well on his way to attaining a balance many adults never reach — how to find one’s appropriate place in a community of citizens,” Spigener said.
“In the fall, Jordon will be taking to Vanderbilt University the qualities of involvement, initiative, integrity and force of his personality that he has exhibited at Brookwood School,” he said.
Senior Will Saunders has earned the title of salutatorian this year, achieving the second highest cumulative grade point average for his four years at Brookwood. This student traditionally speaks first at the graduation ceremony.
Summa cum laude graduates have maintained a minimum 4.0 grade point average for all four years of high school. They are Brinkley, Saunders, Curry Brinson, Thomas Harrison, Marshall Jones, Dara Moore, and Trenton Newman.
Magna cum laude graduates have maintained a minimum 3.67 grade point average for four years. They are Daniel Atkinson, Mazie Barrett, Tyler Clark, Landry Joyner, Madelyn Murphy, Thomas Oppenheim, Noah Owens, Natalie Tyler and Preston Young.
Cum laude graduates have maintained a minimum 3.33 grade point average during their four years in the Upper School. They are Max Beverly Jr., Katie Gallagher, Jenna Merschman, Ethan Nunnally, Hill Turner and Wyatt Whitfield.
Brookwood School traditionally elects four junior class marshals, who represent students with the highest cumulative grade point averages in their class. These students serve as marshals at this year’s baccalaureate and graduation exercises and will have the honor of leading the faculty and graduates in their traditional academic procession. The marshals for the Class of 2018 are Audrey Johnson, Bridger Middleton, Raleigh Rollins and Caroline Wolff.
The Brookwood Honors Assembly is a dignified celebration of student success, said Dr. Randy Watts, Brookwood’s headmaster.
“We are proud of our students and their accomplishments,” Dr. Watts said. “Further, Brookwood is blessed to have such talented and engaged teachers who inspire our students to stretch and challenge themselves on a daily basis.”
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.