Now a grad, Duncan’s off to UNA

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.

RHS senior Libby Duncan said she has enjoyed the past four years she has spent as a student at Russellville High School learning, making memories and preparing for her future.

Duncan said she was grateful for the different opportunities she had at RHS to participate in things that aren’t always offered at other high schools.

“Russellville has some great programs, like cosmetology and art, that I was able to be a part of and I was glad to have those kinds of classes available to me,” she said.

“There seems to be something for every type of student to enjoy at RHS, and I think that helps us have a more well-rounded high school experience.”

Since being in high school, Duncan has also participated in many different clubs and extracurricular activities.

She has been a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions, Future Farmers of America, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, the Homecoming Court, the junior varsity and varsity cheerleading squads, and she served as both the president and vice-president of Future Business Leaders of America.

“Being named to the Homecoming Court and the actual night of Homecoming are probably my favorite memories from high school,” she said. “It’s something I always wanted to do and it was a great experience.”

Duncan was also named Most Dependable for the Class of 2013, received the Russellville Civitan Club scholarship, and was a member of the Franklin County Junior Leadership program where she volunteered in the community.

“I think it’s good to get involved because it makes you come out of your shell and get to know other people and learn how to work together,” she said.

“Junior Leadership helped me meet new people and get to do things that I never would have done if I hadn’t been a part of that program.”

Duncan has also been active in the community through her church’s involvement with Habitat for Humanity and the NHS Red Cross blood drives.

“Doing community service just gives you a sense of accomplishment and pride knowing that you participated in something that helped someone else,” she said.

“When I worked with Habitat for Humanity putting roofs on houses, just seeing the smile on those people’s faces made me happy and made all the hard work worth it.”

And if all those activities aren’t enough to keep this 18-year-old high school student busy, Duncan has also had several part-time jobs over the past couple of years, which is something she would recommend for any high school student.

“When I decided to quit cheering, I wanted to get a job since I would have time for it,” she said.

“It’s been a good experience having a job in high school because it’s taught me a lot of lessons that I will need for the future. I’ve learned that nothing in life is free and you have to work hard for the things you have. You don’t realize what all your parents have to do until you have your own job and responsibilities.

“It’s also taught me how to interact with other people and it’s made me a more outgoing person.”

Duncan and the rest of the RHS Class of 2013 officially became high school graduates last night and Duncan said she would miss several things about high school.

“I’m going to miss seeing my friends on a daily basis and I’ll miss the teachers,” she said. “I’m just going to miss all those routines that I’ve been used to and all the fun we had.”

But Duncan said she was also looking forward to the future and what college has to offer. She said she plans to attend the University of North Alabama in Florence and live on-campus.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people, living in the dorms and getting involved in different activities on campus,” she said.

“UNA seems like a good choice for me because it’s far enough away that I can live there and have a little more independence but it’s also not too far away and I can come home when I need to.”

Duncan said she plans to major in accounting.

“My dad is an accountant and I like the things that he does in his job,” she said. “It seems like a career that I would enjoy.”

Once she graduates from college, Duncan said she wouldn’t mind living somewhere close to the beach, but she would also be glad to settle down in Russellville.

“I’ve liked growing up here and I can see myself living here in the future,” she said. “People say that there isn’t anything to do here but there really is if you just take the time to notice it.

“We have beautiful lakes and great places to fish and do outdoor activities. We have good schools and good people, so I think it’s a good place to live in the future.”

Duncan is the daughter or Dennis and Rita Duncan. She has seven siblings: Phillip Duncan, Angie Davis, Leigh Ann Duncan, Melissa Duncan, Morgan Wyatt, Matthew Duncan and Marilla Duncan.