SEHS Senior Reflections 2016

Senior Reflections

CLASS OF 2016

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02 2015-2016 | Class Of 2016

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South Effingham High School

LETTER FROM SUPERINTENDENT RANDY SHEAROUSE Congratulations Seniors! Yes, you made it through four of the most important and yet most challenging years of your life. You survived your freshman year when you thought high school was a gigantic crowded school and finding out which lunch table to sit at was tougher than Algebra. You survived your sophomore year when you had to make a good grade in Science or your parents wouldn’t let you take your driver’s test and get your license. You survived your junior year when you had to get a part-time job so you could put gas in your car, but you still managed to pass English. And finally, you’ve survived your senior year and it’s time to say goodbye to your favorite teachers, Friday night football games, mesh bookbags and school uniforms.

For many of you, your high school years have been filled with good times and good memories. And for some of you, this day couldn’t arrive fast enough.

But hopefully, for all of you, you’ll leave the Effingham County School System with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to survive in the real world. Whether you’re going on to college or entering the workforce, I hope – as Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, you “do not follow where the path may lead, but go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Your high school graduation marks a new beginning, a time when you can pursue your dreams or change course and redefine yourself. You’ll have opportunities to make choices and decisions that will affect the rest of your life and influence those around you. Instead of being the recipient of change, you’ll have the ability to create change – in yourself, in your community and even in the world. Good luck in your journey!

LETTER FROM EDITOR JEFF WHITTEN Dear members of the class of 2016, Congratulations on making it through kindergarten, grade school, middle school and high school. It’s quite a feat and I salute you.

Now, as you may have noticed, you’re getting a lot of advice from us older folks. Graduation is when everybody old like me thinks it’s important to tell you what you ought to do.

We do this because we’ve been there and done that and made our share of mistakes, so that makes us wise - or experienced, at least - and we want you to benefit from our experience and not make the same dumb mistakes we made.

My two cents is pretty simple.

Please don’t ever take anything, or anyone, for granted.

Please live your life like you only have one, because in the end, that’s all you have.

That’s what I hope you take away from graduation day and carry with you for as long as you’re able. Know that everything and everyone has worth, even when it doesn’t seem like it.

We’re all part of a greater whole.

And it goes by oh so fast. You won’t believe it now, but life goes by in the blink of an eye. One minute, you’re finishing high school, the next, you’re wondering how it went so quickly and wishing those young whippersnappers would quit playing their music so loud and driving so fast.

Of course, you’re the future. Yes, you should be proud you’ve accomplished what you have so far. The world is now officially your oyster. Go out and do great things, no matter what you decide defines your greatness.

04 2015-2016 | Class Of 2016

But please, do whatever you do with kindness. Remember always to be a good person. Live a life others will want to have lived and one that you can look back on some day and feel you left no good deed undone, no opportunity for making an impact unfulfilled. Live like you want to be thought of, so that others will say of you, “now there goes someone special.”

Let them say of you, “there goes someone who cares.”

Let them say, “there’s someone who lived life to the fullest.”

Unfortunately, we’re giving you a world that has problems, but what are problems but opportunities by another name?

Your’s can be the generation that solves everything, ending hunger and natural disasters and war and poverty. Yours can be the generation that finds answers to every question.

That might not happen, and probably won’t. But the fault isn’t in failing, it’s in not trying. So there’s that.

And there’s this.

All of us have worth. All of us are loved by somebody. All of us matter. There can be no white without black, no cold without warmth, no us without them, no we without you. Your parents raised you and gave you shelter and food and love, your teachers taught you, your coaches coached you, your friends sustained you.

But I’d also be willing to bet you helped raise your parents, teach your teachers, coach your coaches and sustain your friends. You impacted them. That’s how it works. It’s how it’s always worked. It’s what makes life and you and us and everyone and everything special, and it doesn’t last forever.

Now, go out there and live your life.

SOUTH EFFINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL 1220 Noel Conaway RD Guyton, GA 31312 Phone: 912-728-7511 Dr.Mark A. Winters, Principal Jeff Faith, Athletic Director/ Assistant Principal Tammy Jacobs, Instructional Supervisor / Assistant Principal Ron Womack, Assistant, Principal Dr. Cheryl Cale, CTAE Supervisor / Assistant Principal 16 May 2016

Dear Class of 2016, You have reached one of the greatest milestones of your life...high school graduation. The good and bad experiences of the last four years will become the memories and the stories you tell in your future. You will talk about the student who interrupted class with silliness or the student whose attractiveness could not be ignored. I hope you will remember the teacher who mentored you and helped you through those difficult life lessons as well as the teacher who was so strict that you wish you could forget but memories will not allow you to do so. You will remember athletic events, NJROTC events, concerts, shows, dances, competitions, and performances and you may return to SEHS as an alumnus but it will never be the same. You are crossing an invisible barrier that exists between childhood and adulthood. Though you have struggled against being a child, there will be future occasions when you will wish to return to the childhood days of high school. After 28 May 2016, high school days are replaced by new experiences. The memories you have of South Effingham High School will assist you in making future decisions.

After graduation, you have reached adulthood, and attaining this title is really the beginning of a journey and not a destination. Though childhood has been left behind, you can never leave behind being a Mustang from SEHS. The Class of 2016, as alumni, will continue living the Mustang Legend. Your friends, family, teachers and I applaud you and celebrate with you during your graduation. We also celebrate your new experiences as you continue to live the Mustang Legend. You may be leaving the halls of South Effingham High School as a student wearing khaki and maroon, but you will never leave our hearts. We will watch with excitement and anticipation to see how you continue the Mustang Legend.

My wishes for you are the same as those of your friends and family. May your life be filled with the same pride and enthusiasm we have felt together as the band played the alma mater and fight song. May you feel the same determination you felt as you prepared and worked hard for a competition or for a class project. You will experience pride, enthusiasm, and determination after graduation, but always remember that it was here at South Effingham High School where those feeligns were expressed first. May those feelings always remain along with your Mustang Memories.

Good luck, Godspeed and Go Stangs!

Dr. Winters

MUSTANGS...THE LEGEND LIVES! Class Of 2016 | 2015-2016 05

SEHS SENIOR SPOTLIGHT:

Shae Leverett

Personal: Her full name is Shandrea, but most people call her Shae. She and her family moved here from Augusta when Shae was a kid, and she grew up in Effingham County Schools. She started at Ebenezer before going to South Effingham Elementary as a third grader. Since then, it’s been all South Effingham for Shae, who is one of the area’s top high school basketball and volleyball players who will take her hoops skills to South Florida in the fall.

But there’s more than that. “In my downtime from sports, I like to paint, draw, sleep and hang out with family and friends,” said Shae, who likes the color blue and pancakes. Important people in her life are her mom Andrea, her dad Ricardo, and brothers Justin and Cordaro.

Honors: Shae’s won a lot of honors and reached quite a few milestones over her high school career, so we’ll break them down into basketball and volleyball.

Basketball: varsity highest GPA award, 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds; member of North vs. South basketball team; participated in junior and senior showcases; a four-year letter winner; the Karl DeMasi Sports Report Athlete of the Week; Region Defensive Player of the Year; Region Offensive Player of the Year; First team All Region; Captain’s Award; Second team All-State; All-State honorable mention; First team All Greater Savannah; MVP. Volleyball: No. 2 in Georgia in blocks; Region Volleyball Player of Year; All Greater Savannah First Team; MVP; Captain’s Award; Kia Country of Savannah Player of the Week; GPA Award; No. 5 in Georgia in blocks.

Teachers who’ve meant a lot to Shae: She named three - Mrs. Amanda Connor, Mrs. Tina Crapse and Mrs. Gayle Ergle.

Connor “was my chemistry teacher in 11th grade and also my volleyball coach in 12th grade,” Shae said. “This had to be one of the classes throughout my 4 years I had that I really had to work to get my grades. Even though it was challenging and I thought that her pop quizzes were going to kill my GPA, I passed the end of course test with a high A, and ended up really liking chemistry.”

Crapse “was my English teacher in 11th grade Being in her class you will learn over and beyond what you need to pass your end of course test. She loved giving us essays to do outside of class and have timed essays in class that I use to dread,” Shae said. “But doing them really did make me a better writer. I am quite confident that if it came down to it in college, I could write a decent paper in an hour and 20 minutes.”

Ergle “was my physical science teacher in 9th grade and now also my teacher for anatomy in 12th. I am also good friends and played volleyball with her daughter. Mrs. Ergle is a really fun teacher and made the start and end of my high school career a memorable one. I always learn a lot in her class and really enjoy it when we do labs in her class,” Shae said.

Favorite class: “My favorite subject is history. I like learning about how things came to be and the history of different places and people,” Shae said.

What she will miss most about high school: Friends. “I have known them for years and basically grew up

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with them, and now having to go out on my own will definitely be a change.”

Her advice for next year’s freshmen class: Get those grades up from the start. “Do not mess around with your grades,” Shae said, “because later it will either help or hurt your GPA. That will affect your college choice and if you want to graduate with honors.”

Plans, short and long range: Shae, who earned a scholarship to play women’s basketball at South Florida, intends to major in nursing. “My long range plan is to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, then obtain my Master’s Degree and become a nurse anesthesiologist. I’d also like to play professional basketball overseas.”

One word to sum up her high school experience: “Special.”

What her coaches said about Shae Coach Melissa Roddenberry: “Shae Leverett’s hard work is evident when you look at her grades or when you watch her play basketball or volleyball. She is a gifted athlete, but her knowledge of the game and her intelligence on the court takes her to that other level.”

Former SEHS coach Stacy Womack: “Shae’s talent is also accompanied by an internal motivation to succeed. It has been an honor and a pleasure to be a part of Shae’s development at SEHS. I look forward to watching her continue to grow at the University of South Florida.”

Brittiany Abrams

Cody Abrams

Abbie Aids

Caleob Akins

Drayton Albano

Brittany Alexander

Tiawna Altman

Daniel Ambrose

Jacob Anderson

Jacob Anderson

Jesse Ansley

Miranda Arrington

Dustin Bailey

Matthew Bailey

Sebastian Balmer

Jarret Barber

Austin Barefield

Hemlakshmi Basdeo

Sabrina Batson

Lei-lani Beasley

Alexander Bennett

Hannah Bevis

Loren Billeiter

Jedidiah Bishop

Chandler Blankenship

Madison Bodway

Jordan Boomgaarden

Justin Borders

Roneil Boyce

Marcus Boyd

Tori Boyd

Mackenie Bragg

Benjamin Brennan

Trenton Bridges

Chasity Bright

Brittany Brown

Chandler Brown

Elvin Brown Jr.

Katelyn Brown

Kelsie Brown

Kevin Brown

Adam Bryant

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Kelly Bryant

Stephen Burkhalter

Elijah Burns

Mikayla Caddick

Devony Calaway

Harrison Callaway

Kayla Callaway

Joshua Cantrell

Courtney Carter

Dylan Carter

Pricilla Cartwright

Dustin Casey

Amber Clark

Dakota Cleland

Jonathan Cody

James Coffee

Shane Coffee

Lucas Cole

James Coleman

Olivia Collins

Sean Collins

Job Well Done SEHS GRADS! Best Wishes To All! Office Staff Available 7 Days A Week

5805 Hwy 21 S. • Rincon, GA 31326 912-826-0927 • 877-826-0926 A portion of all Coldwell Banker Intercoastal Realty proceeds are donated to local charities.

www.RinconcoldwellBankeR.com Class Of 2016 | 2015-2016 09

SEHS SENIOR SPOTLIGHT:

Dallas McCorkendale

Personal: Dallas lives in Rincon with his grandmother, Shirley McCoy and is a lifelong resident of Effingham County. He’s not only a gifted student, but an accomplished jazz guitarist as well.

Education: Dallas is South Effingham and Effingham County Schools STAR Student. He had the highest SAT score in Effingham County. He’s on the honor roll, is a member of the All State Jazz Band, the District Honor Band and is in the Governor’s Honors Jazz Program.

Dallas has also won the Richard Kessler Scholarship, the Zell Miller Scholarship and is an AP scholar.

Teachers who made a difference: Dallas named three. Ms. Stephanie Tant, mathmematics, whom Dallas named as his STAR teacher; Mr. Sean McBride, band; Mrs. Rachael Miller, band.

Favorite area of study: “Music is my favorite area of study,” said Dallas. “I feel that it is a field in which I am truly challenged every day. No matter how much I accomplish in music, there is always another task necessary for me to continue improving. It has taught me about maturity and self-discipline and has allowed me a creative outlet through which I can express myself. I hope to maintain music as a major part of life post-high school.”

His biggest musical influences are among some of the greatest musicians in jazz history. We’re talking Kenny Burrel, Wes Mongomery, Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon and McCoy Tyner.

What he’ll miss most about South Effingham: “I will miss my close friends who will not be attending college in Atlanta with me and I will miss being a part of the band program at SEHS,” Dallas said.

His advice to next year’s freshmen: “Find something you’re passionate about and pursue it,” Dallas said.

What’s next: Dallas will attend Georgia Tech, where he’ll pursue degrees in both computer science and business administration. “I also plan to further my career as a jazz guitarist by gigging in the Atlanta area and participating in the Georgia Tech jazz program,” he said.

Long range plans: “As a computer scientist I hope to one day work on the forefront of scientific advancement in the world of computing.

Whether that means building new and exciting technologies at the world’s greatest research facilities or owning and developing my own products/services is still undecided,” Dallas said.

Summing up his high school career in one word?

“Legendary.”

What teachers say about Dallas: Sean McBride: “Dallas McCorkendale is one of the most musically talented students we have ever had in the South Effingham Band program. He has been a top performer in our jazz bands,

10 2015-2016 | Class Of 2016

wind ensemble, and marching band on a different instrument in each group. He has a love for jazz music and has used this love to help his peers. He has organized, rehearsed, and taught student jazz combos and improvisation classes to help other students to understand and enjoy playing jazz music. He has always shown a desire for his peers to be successful. He often would spend time in his capacity as drum captain working with his peers individually and in groups in hopes of helping them to achieve their goals. He is a unique young man who has an almost unlimited potential.

Ms. Stephanie Tant: “Dallas is an outstanding, inquisitive, well-rounded student. He is a tenacious problem solver. His logic and reasoning skills are impeccable. Dallas enjoys learning and making connections between content material and subject areas.”

Autumn Conaway

John Conner III

Joseph Connolly

Austin Cook

Haley Cook

Katherine Cope

Trent Cormack

Jarod Cox

Jessica Cox

GraceAnna Crosby

Chandler Cubbedge III

Jessica Curtis

Kaitlyn D’arts

Darrell Dasher

Luke Dasher

Aaron Davis

Joshua Davis

Turner Davis

Nicholas Denison

Aaron Derouen

Morgan Dewalt

Kayla Dickerson

Elizabeth Donaldson

Timothy Donaldson

Haliegh Dorch

Matthew Douglas

Samuel Dowdy

Chandler Drew

Kelsey Driggers

Bailey Droste

Kenneth Durden

Bethany Dyals

Chelsea Eddy

Joshua Edenfield

Sean Edenfield

Caleb Edwards

Issiah Elliott

Nicholas Ellis

Benjamin Elmore

Robert Elmore

Alissa Epling

Olivia Farrar

12 2015-2016 | Class Of 2016

Jordan Feider

Hunter Felix

Lawanda Fennell

Joni Ferris

Rachel Floyd

Dylan Fontaine

Kyle Freeman

Sheldon Froehlich

Tyler Gale

Katie Garner

Jasmine Garvin

Makayla Gault

Kyle Gay

Brooke Gilder

Blanche Gleason

Caleb Gonsalves

Allisa Gordon

Tiana Gordon

Parker Gordy

Nicholas Goss

Erin Goudeau

Congratulations To All Graduaties of

Effingham County High and South Effingham High Serving The People of Effingham County

Bill Hitchens State Representative District 161

Capital Office 408-C Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg Atlanta, GA 30334 (404) 657-1803 District Address 2440 Rincon-Stillwell Road Rincon, GA 31326 (912) 663-8941

Class Of 2016 | 2015-2016 13

SEHS SENIOR SPOTLIGHT:

Terissa McFarland

Personal: Born in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, Terissa moved with her family from Ohio to Effingham County nine years ago. Her parents are Jason and and Nicole McFarland. Terissa’s older sister Paige is a 2014 South Effingham graduate; her younger brother Ian is a freshman at SEHS. Terissa says her parents have always stressed the importance of education.

“My mother and father have been my major motivators in my years of schooling, making sure I am always getting my work done, and keeping my focus straight and narrow,” she said. “I cannot thank them enough for all they have done for me through the years of my life and education.”

Education: Terissa is an Advanced Placement student and has been on honor roll every semester she’s been in high school. She’s in the top 20 percent of her graduating class and has achieved the HOPE scholarship for her overall academic excellence. It’s clear she thinks her time in the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps has paid big dividends.

“A major award for me during this period in my life would be becoming an officer in my NJROTC unit here at South Effingham,” Terissa said. “I was awarded one of the top 3 highest positions of my unit, the Operations Officer, and I was also awarded the opportunity of commanding a hardworking, successful group of cadets in the drill team. I commanded Unarmed Basic and Exhibition, as well as the Personnel Inspection.”

That team made it to the state drill team championships and placed sixth out of more than 60 schools.

In addition, Terissa was awarded the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry award for her excellent performance in academics and in her NJROTC unit, and received Bravo Zulu for her overall outstanding performance during the unit’s Annual Military Inspection.

Teachers who made a difference: Terissa named Lieutenant Colonel Terry Stautberg (USMC Ret.), the senior naval science instructor of NJROTC at SEHS, and naval science instructor AZ1 Ross Johnson (USN ret).

“These two men have helped guide me through my high school career,” Terissa said. Both of these men have made such a significant impact on my life, and I am very thankful and fortunate for having been able to work with these two instructors. These men are very deserving and passionate about their jobs, and all their hard work shows in the cadets and unit that they train and work with. This unit could not be possible or functional without these two men devoting all their time and energy into their jobs. Personally, I would like to say thank you. You both have made such a great impact in my life that I will never be able to forget.”

Favorite area of study: NJROTC and science.

“NJROTC has taught me the leadership skills and responsibility necessary for the successful future I have in mind,” Terissa said.

“I found that the science courses that most intrigued me were Human Anatomy and Physiology, as well as Biology. It is safe to say that my interests in these subjects have influenced my career choice, as I will be pursuing a career in the medical science field.”

14 2015-2016 | Class Of 2016

What Terissa will miss about South Effingham: “What I will most are the positive atmosphere and the proud memories that South Effingham possesses,” she said. “The student body all shares a common pride in its moto and school spirit.

Ranging from football games to mathletes, the school always brings individuals from different social groups together. I have made many great memories at South Effingham High School that will remain unforgettable, and as Dr. Winters, our principal, always says, Live The Legend. This school definitely possesses a powerful legend that will always live on, and the students here are what fuel this legend to continue and thrive.”

Her advice for next year’s freshmen class: “Focus and be yourself,” Terissa said. “High school has become a place of finding yourself and maturing. But as you do all these things, always remember to be yourself. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what awkward quirks you may have, you aren’t alone and there are a ton of people who will accept you and befriend you. Be focused. Get your work in on time and form study habits. Make flash cards, open up that big textbook, or make study guides. Go to tutoring. The teachers here are willing to help you in any case you may be experiencing. I promise it will pay off. These next 4 years of your life will pass by you quicker than imaginable, so enjoy it while it lasts. This is time for you to build up for your future, so take it seriously. You can make high school stressful, or you can make it breezy. Make it a great day, or not, the choice is yours. You’ll hear that a lot these next four years, but it is completely accurate. It’s up to you. So, go ahead and make it a great one.”

What’s next for Terissa: She plans to attend Kennesaw State, where she’ll pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

“In the long run, I plan to pursue a career as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. I will work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or Nursery at a hospital working with premature, sickly and full term newborns. I have a strong love for babies and helping others, so putting those two passions together helped me in choosing this career path,” Terrisa said.

What a teacher has to say: Lt. Col. Stauber said Terissa is “everything you want in a NJROTC Cadet.”

“Academically she is an “A” student. Her efforts as the Unarmed Basic and Exhibition Drill Teams resulted in the team finishing 6th at the state level drill championship meet. She has accumulated more than 120 hours of community service during her time in the program. As the Operation Officer, he efforts allowed the Unit to continue its high pace by coordinating the more than 70 events scheduled during the year. Most important is her willingness to sit down and show a Cadet how to accomplish any task. She genuinely cares about the younger Cadets and making them better.”

Thomas Granat

Erika Griffin

Gavin Griffin

Talmadge Griffin

Bryce Griggs

Zachary Gronefeld

Colton Guidotti

Elisabeth Habersham

Ted Hamby

Jacob Hansen

Caitlynn Harig

Christopher Harper

Haley Harper

Levi Harper

Hannah Harrington

Rachel Hartmann

Sarah Hartmann

Bethany Harvath

Mark Hauser Jr.

Raquel Hazzard

Kameron Henninger

Ayla Herbert

Aleaha Herrington

Alzaida Hester

Jeremy Hester

Garrett Hodges

James Hodges

Thomas Hogan

Johnnie Holmes

Sierra Howard

Kyle Hudson

Traci Hurley

Antorenzo Jackson

Jelina Jackson

Tiajae Jackson

Kourtney Jeffers

Spencer Jenkins

Allison Jodrey

Alec Johnson

Garrett Johnson

Falyn Jordan

Baily Joyner

16 2015-2016 | Class Of 2016

Frank Kania

David Kasabian

Kathryn Kelly

Marquis Kennedy

Caroline Kerley

Kailey Kessler

MaKenzie Kessler

Tyler Kidwell

Rebecca Kight

Austin King

Rylee Kirk

Shelby Kitchings

Ta’Breia Knight

Luke Kush

Chantel LaFleur

Rachel Larson

Crystal Leddick

Al’Tez Leverett

Shandrea Leverett

Summer Lewis

Taylor Lewis

Alexus Litchfield

Robert Lively

Matthew Lloid

Taylor Lockhart

Torrey Long II

Sarah Lowe

Henry Lowman

Cameron Lutz

Noah Lynn

Madison Mack

Marissa Malatesta

Stephen Mast

Mahalley Mathews

Kendell Matters

Nathan Mazzara

Luke McCann

Dallas McCorkendale

Edward McCoy

Mason McCullough

Jordan McCumber

Ethan McDonald

Class Of 2016 | 2015-2016 17

SEHS SENIOR SPOTLIGHT:

Christian Mincey

Personal: Christian was born in Augusta and moved with his family to Effingham County when he was 5. That family consists of mom Crystal, older brother Mitchel, “my furbaby sister Dimples and my dad Michael who watches over us from heaven,” said Christian, who also has “two half sisters, two brothers-in-law, two nieces, two nephews, many aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and friends who also make up my support system.”

Education: Christian has a bevy of academic honors under his belt, starting with his being awarded Freshman Student of the Year and continuing with the Highest GPA Graphics Award that same year.

And there’s a reason we used the term “under his belt.” Christian’s talents aren’t just in the classroom. His peers chose him “Most Artistic” and “Best Dressed,” and it’s no wonder.

“I have been a participant in the annual fashion show grades 9-12, winning Top Designer my junior and senior year, and also winning Audience Choice Award my senior year,” Christian said, and his talents are taking him outside the halls of SEHS as well.

“I recently won the State competition in Athens, GA for Fashion Construction and I will be traveling to the FCCLA National Competition in San Diego, California this summer,” Christian noted. But he’s more than just a talented young designer. He’s a fouryear honor roll student and will graduating having completed two career pathways - Foreign Language Spanish and Fine Arts. He’s run cross country and played tennis, and won High GPA awards on both teams.

Christian can also claim memership in a number of prestigious clubs. He spent four years in Beta Club, three years in National Honor Society, four years in the International Thespian Society, two years in SADD, two years in the National Art Honor Society, four years in the Mustang Masquers Drama Club, one year in FCCLA; a year in the Science Club, a year in the Model UN, and worked two years as a volunteer face painter for Special Olympics.

If that’s not enough, Christian is also an intern at Gulfstream, where he works in the interior design department.

Teachers who inspired him: Fine Arts/Fibers teacher Mary Cale Wilson; Fibers teacher Marsha Lott; Graphic Arts and Fine Arts Ceramics teacher Craig Owens; and Gayle Ergle, who taught Christian physical science and human anatomy and physiology.

“My favorite class of study is ART (fibers, fashion and ceramics,” he said. “Art is expression without words. My second favorite class of study is human anatomy and physiology. Learning about human existence and bodily functions fascinates me.”

What he will miss most about SEHS: “The relationships I have made with many teachers, faculty and staff is what I will miss most about high school,” Christian said.

Advice for next year’s freshman class: “The advice I would give to the upcoming 9th graders is to strive to make good grades, accept all opportunities given, and to GET INVOLVED!” Christian said. “As you enter SEHS, there is a beam in the cafeteria inscribed with the words, Mustangs… The Legend Lives! Every Mustang who walks through the doors of our school has a story to add to the legend. Reflect on what your story

18 2015-2016 | Class Of 2016

will contribute. SEHS is a school where students shine in the arts, on the athletic field, in NJROTC competitions, and beyond. Our future business leaders learn about tomorrow, future agriculture workers walk through the mud finding skills for tomorrow, and where models and designers stitch the threads of a fashionable future. Challenge yourself to be a part of the legend.”

What’s next: “My immediate plan after I graduate is to continue interning at Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and to work some weekends during the summer being a lifeguard. I want to save money to help with college expenses as I plan to attend Spring 2017,” Christian said. “My long term plan for my life is to graduate from college with a degree in Fashion Marketing and Design. I would love to have my own designer label some day. My dream is to live in New York City.”

Summing up high school in a word?

“Dauntless.”

What teachers had to say: Gayle Ergle: “Christian is one of the most artistic, intelligent, and respectful young men that I have ever had the pleasure of teaching. He has amazed me with his creativity on class projects and on stage for the past three years. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for him and his many talents!”

John Cook: “Christian is a thoughtful, deliberate guy. In his artistic pursuits though, he really shines. His unassuming nature belies an incredible talent that blows people away whenever he is given the chance to share it.”

Terissa McFarland

Chapin Mcree

Macie Milbrandt

Christian Mincey

Hunter Mitchell

Jequan Mitchell

John Monroe

Jessica Montgomery

Kane Monthie

Gage Moore

Keyvona Moultrie

Melanie Munoz

Ti’ke Mydell

Diera Newberry

Cole O’Berry

Emily O’Neal

Jessica Oberlander

Brisco Olsen

Haley Osborne

Ronnie Overmon

Jacob Pack

Summer Page

Alexandria Parrish

Joseph Patrick III

Randall Pickard

Rhianon Pierce

Zachary Pierce

Malissa Powell

Marissa Powell

Jocelyn Price

Tyler Pullum

Martina Purvis

Jonathan Quick

Samantha Reardon

Abby Reinholt

Nicholas Reno

Devan Revelle

Joshua Riner

Collin Rish

Emily Rogers

Michael Ryan

Kory Sanches

20 2015-2016 | Class Of 2016

Caroline Sapp

Gabrielle Sapp

Makayla Sapp

Cory Saxton

Erin Schear

Carson Schurman

Ashely Schwartz

Holly Shaw

Zachary Sheridan

Travis Sherrod

Jordan Shikany

Jordan Shuman

Madison Shuman

Travis Simmons

Mitchell Simon

Bryson Singletary

Shane Sites

Megan Small

Austin Smith

DeAsia Smith

Joshua Smith

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Landon Smith

Macy Smith

Ny’Reik Smith

Robert Smith

Tashayla Solomon

Cameron Springer

Alyssa Staecker

Natalie Stephens

Anthony Steptoe Jr.

KateLyn Stewart

Matthew Stier

Victoria Stokes

Marshall Stone

Savannah Strojny

Claudia Sturm

Brianna Sullivan

Leanna Sykes

Clifford Sylvester

Kaitlin Tanguay

Hannah Taylor

Kareem Taylor

Thomas Taylor

K’Andra Thompson

Kenneth Tillman

Alyssa Townsley

Christopher Underwood

Jacquelyn Varney

Kaitlyn Vogel

Kelly Waddell

Zachary Wainright

Minna Wamhoff

Samantha Warner

Allen Wiley

James Wiliford

Rashea Williams

Candace Wills

Lennie Wilson

Brandon Wood

Makayla Woods

Victoria Woods

Brandi Wooten

Emily Yonce

22 2015-2016 | Class Of 2016

Noah Young

Trent Zeigler

South Effingham High School Not Pictured: ​Noah Anderson Sarah Anderson Jesse Ansley Holden Barnes Emily Briscoe Dylan Carter Emma Chappell Thomas Cubbedge III Mikayla DeWalt Cheyanne Evans Joseph Fox Michael Hagins Alvin Hilton IV Don’Quyz Hudson-Hamilton Henry Jowers Bridget Kitchings Liam Lanaghan Dustin Lowery Cody Ly Matthew Newman Michaela Newman Michael Nicome Matthew Olive

Ashley Parrett Bradly Phillips Caleb Pruitt Sundalaze Ramos Sean Reese Allen Richard Kenyatt Smalls II Amber Smith Meagan Smith Logan Souders Glenn Steele Jr. Ronrick Talento Joshua Thornburg Nathan Thornburg Eric Trinh Patrick Washington-Brown Rashea Williams Shiloh Zipperer

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SEHS SENIOR SPOTLIGHT:

Trent Zeigler

Personal: You may recognize the last name, because Trent, who attends Bible Luthern Church, was born and raised in Effingham County and is the son of none other than former Effingham County High School, Notre Dame and New York Giant great Dusty Zeigler.

Trent’s mom Elaina is also an Effingham native.

“I look up to my father because he is a very ambitious, humble man with many accomplishments,” Trent said, but he’s already his own man with his own accomplishments.

Education and honors: Trent is a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, and is SEHS student body class president. He’s been on the honor roll all 12 years and is an honor graduate. He emcee’d the 2016 South Effingham Scholarship Pageant, and was an honorable mention All Region pick in football.

Teachers who inspired him: Danielle Brandenburg, AP statistics, and Stephanie Tant, algebra, pre-caluclus and AP calculus.

Favorite class: Math, because “I like working with numbers and it is a subject that always came easy to me,” Trent said. “Solving an equation correction gives me agood sense of accomplishment. And having great teachers helps make this subject much more fun to learn.”

24 2015-2016 | Class Of 2016

What he’ll miss about SEHS: “Football, camaraderie and being carefree with not much responsibility,” Trent said.

Advice to next year’s freshman class: “Don’t try to be someone that you aren’t,” he said. “Do not allow yourself to succumb to peer pressure. Time is fleeting, so do not wish it away.”

What the future holds for Trent: Trent is first going to serve his country.

“I plan to join the Marine Corps,” he said. “I plan to get a college education while enlisted and be successful in whatever field of work I choose.”

One word to sum up his high school career: “Unforgettable.”

What coaches say about Trent: Coach Nick Smith: “Trent is a hard-working young man who is very goal-oriented. He really developed into a leader for us defensively.”

Coach Judd Alford: “When I found out that Trent was going to join the Marines it made me proud. The young man is decisive and I could tell in his voice that he mapped out his plan already.

When a student-athlete you’ve worked with for four years makes the decision to join our armed forces you can’t help but smile. It takes a special person to join a cause much bigger than any of us.”

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Family owned and operated, Riggs Funeral Home serves Guyton, GA in Effingham County and surrounding areas. We are committed to providing quality, compassionate care to every family. Taking great pride in meaningful and dignified funeral services, we always provide choices to best suit your needs. We are dedicated to respecting your choices and answering every question with sensitivity and integrity.

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26 2015-2016 | Class Of 2016

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