On Tuesday, April 16th, the Northwest Florida State College Raider Arena hosted the 50th annual Anne T. Mitchell Senior Honor Award Reception. The event recognized 591 high school seniors from Baker, Choctawhatchee, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Laurel Hill, and Niceville High Schools who will graduate with honors in May. These students have achieved a weighted GPA of 3.75 or higher, which designates them as Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Cum Laude.
Superintendent Marcus Chambers expressed his pride and congratulations to the students and their supporters, including parents, teachers, staff, principals, and community members, who have been part of the students' academic journey. "They have worked hard and achieved outstanding academic success while also participating in extracurricular activities such as arts programs, sports, and clubs," stated Superintendent Marcus Chambers.
He also congratulated Amanda Dye from Niceville High School, pictured above with Niceville High School Principal Charlie Marello, Superintendent Marcus Chambers, and School Board Member Dr. Diane Kelley, the winner of the Peggy Gorday Bruner Award, and all the finalists. The Peggy Gorday Bruner Award is presented to the county's most outstanding academic scholar. Each high school principal may nominate that school's number one senior academic scholar. The Okaloosa County School Board will select one senior student countywide from the school nominations by using SAT, ACT, and/or CLT scores, GPA, awards, leadership roles, community service, and a principal's nomination, which includes their cumulative weighted GPA.
Pictured above: Pictured Left to Right: Baker School – Sophie Palm, Choctawhatchee High School – Arianna Dali, Crestview High School – Hyunwoo Kim, Fort Walton Beach High School – Miller Lindsley, Laurel Hill School – Ashlee Mott, and Niceville High School – Amanda Dye.