News
 By  Kellie Singleton Published 
11:10 pm Friday, October 5, 2012

Vina’s Baty looking to help others

Editor’s Note: Franklin’s Future is a regular feature spotlighting a high school senior in Franklin County and what they have planned for life after graduation.

 

Vina High School student Ranzy Baty has tried his best to have a well-rounded high school experience and prepare himself for his future.

The 17-year-old senior said he has enjoyed the years he has spent attending a small school like Vina and the close-knit, family-type atmosphere the school has.

While in high school, he has been part of the National Honor Society, the Leo Club, the honor roll, the school’s band and he was selected to represent VHS at the Alabama Boys State program this past summer.

“Attending Boys State was a good experience because it gave me the chance to learn about politics and it actually taught me things that I didn’t know before then,” he said. “I feel like I understand the political process better.

“It was also good because I was away from home for a week with 599 boys I’d never met, and it forced me to get out of my comfort zone.

“I’ve gone to Vina all my life so I’m used to knowing everyone. Boys State helped me branch out and learn to meet new people, which is good preparation for college. It also allowed me to make some connections, too.”

While Baty was getting prepared for the social aspects of college, he’s already been physically preparing for college through a dual enrollment class he took last year.

“I took a dual enrollment history class through Northwest-Shoals Community College and I’m glad I made the decision to do that because it helps me get ahead,” Baty said, “but it also helps me feel more at ease about making the transition into college.

“It was a way for me to dip my toes in instead of having to jump in all at once.”

And if preparing for college isn’t enough for one high school student, Baty has also been preparing himself for the responsibilities of life as an adult through his part-time job working at Big Star in Red Bay.

“I’ve been working here for a little over a year and, even though it was mostly my parents idea, I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “I like talking to people and I’ve learned a lot of responsibility like time and money management.”

Even though he is fully prepared for life after high school, that doesn’t mean Baty won’t miss the carefree days he’s enjoyed the last three years and will continue to enjoy until he graduates in May.

“I’m going to miss things like seeing my friends on a daily basis, going to Friday night football games and just the whole high school experience,” he said. “You only have this experience once.”

After graduation, Baty said he plans to go to a junior college before transferring to a four-year university.

“I haven’t made any concrete decisions about where I want to go yet,” he said. “I’m still weighing my options.”

But what he does know is that he wants to have a career in the medical field.

“I know I want to work in the medical field because I enjoy helping people and would like to be able to help my community,” he said. “I may do that as a registered nurse or I’ve also thought about becoming a pediatrician.”

Once he has his career settled, Baty said he hoped to stay close to the area but in a bigger city.

“I think living somewhere like Tupelo or Florence would be better because you have more things at your fingertips,” he said. “It would be nice not to have to drive 30 miles just to go to Wal-Mart or out to eat.”

Baty said he enjoys spending time with friends and fishing when he isn’t busy planning the next chapter of his life and the dreams he has for the future.

“Never doubt yourself and what you can do,” Baty said. “Your number one enemy will always be yourself.”

Baty is the son of Charles and LaDonna Baty and he has a younger sister, Elizabeth.

 

 

 

 

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025