Phil Campbell Valedictorian: Lauren Goines

Like many high school seniors, Phil Campbell Class of 2017 valedictorian Lauren Goines isn’t firmly set on what degree she’d like to achieve. But she knows what the next year or two hold.

“I’m still undecided on what career path I want to take, but I know I’m going to go to Northwest and take my basics, and hopefully I’ll find something there that I love,” said Goines. She said she is considering the medical field, possibly optometry, but she is also interested in engineering. She might attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham or the University of Alabama at Huntsville following two years at NW-SCC.

For Goines, the goal of becoming valedictorian was a natural facet of her competitive nature. “I knew I could do it,” she said. “Grades have always been very important to me. I don’t play sports or anything like that, so I really focused on my academics. I wanted to be really good at it … I don’t like to fail.” Goines also gave credit to her teachers for explaining the material well. “I really paid attention in class and took all the notes.”

Aside from academics, Goines is passionate about family – a primary reason she wants to stay close to home at NW-SCC. “My mom has really shown me how important family is, and I have a really good, really supportive family,” Goines said. “They are probably what I am most focused on.”

Goines is the daughter of Brandon and Kristie Goines.