Pictured are (back row): Lane Yancey, Elizabeth Benford, Emily Hallman, Isabella O’Neal, Alston Tidwell, Regan Roberts, Elijah Crandall, (middle row) Leah Gunderman, Allison Hicks, Courtney Smith, Alana Cason, Tierney Barton, Kelsey Brand, Grace Roberson, (front row) Mikayla Thrasher, Areanna Orozco, Noah Williams, Austin Odom, Justin Baker and Adam Lowery.

By Nicole Burns

For the FCT

It’s that time of year again. Students and teachers all over Franklin County have marked the end of school. But before the last bell tolled for the school year, many students were awarded for their efforts in the classrooms. May 5, the faculty of Phil Campbell High School held its annual awards day for grades 7-12.

Parents and students filled the school’s gym to hear names of top performers called. Students received awards or certificates for highest averages or making all “A’s” during the school year, and perfect attendance, among other things. “It’s important for the students to know the importance and weight we place on doing well in the classroom,” said PCHS Principal Gary Odom. “It’s great to do well on the field or court in sports, but you win in life with a great education.”

One of the highlights of the day is watching presentations of scholarships by local colleges and universities for the Class of 2016. “This year, about 50 percent of our seniors were awarded scholarships for an impressive combined total of $224,000 in scholarships,” said PCHS guidance counselor Brandi Gholston. “Our students have worked hard to make the grade and apply for these awards from their prospective schools.”

Graduating PCHS seniors are dispersing and starting new chapters in places like NWSCC, UNA, Itawamba Community College, Wallace State and Maryville College in Tennessee. “Our students are ready for this and I’m confident they will all succeed in college,” said Gholston.

“We’ve got a great group of students graduating this year and I want them to go out and do well in life,” said Odom. “The best thing they can do is keep learning. Learn in college. Learn to work hard. Learn to be good parents. Learn to be good neighbors. That will be the best reflection of our school.”