Bibb County Schools announces 2020 valedictorians, salutatorians

The Bibb County School District announced the valedictorian and salutatorian for each of its six high schools this week.

The final semester for the Class of 2020 has been held largely through online classes due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The latest shelter-in-place order moved schools online for the remainder of the semester. The district announced on Friday that the 2019-20 school year would end three weeks early, on May 1.

Here are the students who received top honors from their respective schools:

Central High School

Valedictorian: Stephanie Matlock

Stephanie Matlock participated in athletics, including basketball, tennis, track and cross country. She spent time volunteering alongside her classmates in Key Club. She plans on studying speech and hearing science and is presently deciding between Mercer University, the University of North Carolina and Ohio State University.

Salutatorian: Nadine Ahmed

Nadine has been the secretary of the Youth Association for Women in Science and has attended the Governor’s Honors Program for biology. Nadine engaged in many STEM-related activities. She plans to major in biomedical engineering at Georgia Tech with a minor in Arabic.

Howard High School

Valedictorian: Harley Yopp

Harley Yopp has competed in Literary and attended the Governor’s Honors Program as a communicative arts major. She is a 2020 Golden Eagle Nominee for English and Literature and is Howard’s 2020 STAR Student. Harley wants to major in biochemistry and molecular biology at Mercer University in the fall.

Salutatorian: Rose Tran

Rose Tran Rose is an AP Scholar with Distinction and Georgia Merit Scholar, and she has logged more than 120 volunteer hours at the Medical Center, Navicent Health. Rose will major in biology on the pre-med track at Mercer University beginning in the fall.

Northeast High School

Valedictorian: Micah Williams

Micah Williams has already begun his career in the military, having enlisted in the United States Army his junior year with plans of being a CIA officer. With his credits acquired through dual enrollment and at Hutchings College and Career Academy, Micah plans to attend Valdosta State University where he will double major in music and technology.

Salutatorian: Nia James

Nia James serves as the senior class president and is a member of FFA, where she also serves as the club’s president. Nia played volleyball and ran track. She has been accepted to the University of Georgia, where she plans to pursue a degree in agricultural science or veterinary science.

Rutland High School

Valedictorian: Paige Riser

Paige Riser is Rutland’s 2020 STAR Student, a Golden Eagle nominee for Science and a 2020 Honor Graduate. She is President of Rutland’s chapter of FCCLA as well as a member of the school’s FFA and math team. She is also a recipient of the Jesse Mercer Scholarship. Paige will attend Mercer University in the fall to study Spanish.

Salutatorian: Chandler Wood

Chandler Wood is a Golden Eagle nominee and a recipient of the Whitney M. Young Community Service award. He has participated in two educational exchange opportunities to Kurobe, Japan, through Rutland’s International Studies Program. He is a third-year drum major for Rutland High School’s marching band. He is a member of the golf team and leads Rutland’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Chandler has plans to attend the University of Georgia and major in finance in the fall.

Southwest High School

Valedictorian: Channing Byrd

Channing Byrd is the drum major of the Southwest Marching Patriots Band, senior class president, DECA president, FBLA vice president, Southwest’s STAR student and BETA club member. He will attend basic training in the fall for the National Guard. In the spring, he will attend Georgia State University, majoring in biomedical studies and minoring in business administration.

Salutatorian: Teralyn Hillman

Teralyn Hillman is a member of Skills USA and math club. In addition, she is an assistant to Close to Your Heart Photography Services. Teralyn will major in psychology at Georgia Southwestern State University in the fall.

Westside High School

Valedictorian: Makayla Stephens

Makayla Stephens is a member of the Beta Club, student council, Upward Bound, varsity softball and several other organizations. She has been a nominee for several scholarships, including the U.S. Presidential Award and the Dr. Curtis Jones Leadership Award Scholarship. Makayla will major in psychology at the University of Georgia in the fall.

Salutatorian: Elaina Perez

Elaina Perez is the assistant secretary of the STEM Club and a member of the Anime Club. She was nominated for the 2017 and 2018 Governor’s Honors Program and the 2020 Golden Eagle Award for Art. Elaina plans to major in art at Georgia College and State University in the fall.