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PAGE 7B May/June 2025 Graduation
Gardner and Lambert Lead Boaz Class of 2025 Taylor Gardner is the
Boaz High School Class of 2025 Valedictorian. She has earned several academic honors, including Summa Cum Laude, Distinguished Scholar, and membership in the ACT 30+ Club. She was also part of the UA Early College Honor Society and served as a UA Early College Ambassador. Taylor has been involved in many clubs and held leadership roles such as SGA President, FCA leadership team member, and officer positions in National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and HOSA. She was also a member of Buddies For L.I.F.E. and she received the Citizenship Award all four years. She also served as Co- Captain of the volleyball team. In addition, she was recognized on the All- Area Tournament Team for volleyball and was selected for Prom Royalty. Taylor plans to attend The University of Alabama to study Kinesiology and work toward becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy. She hopes to pursue a career working in pediatrics. Anderson Lambert has been named the salutatorian for the Class of 2025 at Boaz High School. Throughout high school he has taken Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment classes, and honors classes and he will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Distinguished Scholar Diploma. Lambert is a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. He has also actively participated in the Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, HOSA, Spanish Club, Interact Club, and a member of the Pirate's basketball and tennis teams. As a member of the tennis team, he
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Snead State Community College Vice President for Student Services Jason Cannon, right, presents the Civitan Award to Sarah McCullars. Snead State Holds Spring Commencement Snead State Community College honored 182 of the 258 total graduates participating in the Spring Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 8, in the Plunkett-Wallace Gymnasium. The bleachers were filled with friends and family of the graduates and the College, joining together for the momentous celebration. Another 51 graduates participated in a separate Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday, May 6, for student-athletes. Snead State President Dr. Joe Whitmore addressed the graduates in a “wake up, stand up, and step up” type of speech. “Today is a celebration of your perseverance, your intelligence, your faith, your failures, and your ultimate triumph. You’ve been tested, stretched, refined, and – like gold in the fire – you shine today, not because everything was easy, but because you didn’t give up when it was hard,” said Dr. Whitmore. “The world doesn’t need more passive consumers, clever influencers, or couch- dwellers. It needs men and women who know who they are and live like it matters. Don’t just chase success. Chase significance. Success is achieving your goals. Significance is when your goals also lift others. “Be courageous. Speak the truth when it’s not popular. Show kindness when it’s not convenient. Forgive when it’s not deserved and understand that when you do the hard thing and fail, that’s OK…How you respond when you fall says more about your character than how high you fly, and that’s the kind of courage that changes the world,” Dr. Whitmore continued. “So go. Not in fear, but in faith. Go with the knowledge God goes with you and will direct your path. Go with the confidence that you were created on purpose, for a purpose, and with a purpose.” Celebration was the theme for the Commencement Ceremony. In addition to students receiving their diplomas, graduates were also recognized for their achievements. Sarah McCullars of Albertville received the Civitan Best All-Around Student Award. The Civitan Award is presented annually to the Best All-Around Student of the graduating class. To be eligible for this award, the student must have attended Snead State Community College for at least three semesters and attained a minimum cumulative academic average of 3.0 on a four-point scale. In addition, the student should have participated in extracurricular and community activities. The student is elected by a vote of the faculty from a list of eligible graduates who are participating in the graduation ceremonies. Evan Patterson of Albertville was awarded the James B. Allen Award. The award is presented annually to the Outstanding Student of the graduating class, but this year both students were chosen. This award is a gift of the late James B. Allen, United States Senator from Alabama. To be eligible for this award, the student must have exhibited outstanding qualities of leadership and service, attained a minimum cumulative academic average of 3.5, and attended Snead State Community College for at least three semesters. Recipients are elected by a vote of the faculty from a list of eligible graduates participating in the Spring ceremony. McCullars and Audrey Beasley of Guntersville were recognized as this year’s members of the All-Alabama Academic Team. The All-Alabama Scholarship program is a complement to the All-USA National Academic Team Program, which is sponsored by USA Today, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and the American Association of Community Colleges. The President’s Award is presented annually to the full-time sophomore student in both the Academic Division, Technical Division, and, for the first time this year, the Dual Enrollment Program with the highest-grade point average on the greatest number of credit hours completed at Snead State. For the technical division, the 2025 President’s Award was presented to Kahla D. Wright of Arab. For the academic division, the 2025 President’s Award was given to Allison Williams of Union Grove. The 2025 President’s Award for Dual Enrollment was presented to Estrella Evelyn Dia Rosales of Albertville. Snead State has five Dual Enrollment students earning their Associate degrees as well as their high school diplomas. Diaz Rosales from Albertville High School is included in the Dual Enrollment graduates, earning her Associate degree in Communication Studies. Angelina Jasmin Juthi of Oneonta High School received her Associate degree in General Education. Katelin Renea Rakestraw of Sardis High School also received her Associate degree in General Education. Kylie Yates with Everest Academy earned her Associate degree in Psychology. Taylor Makenzi Simpson with Boaz High School received her high school diploma in December 2024 and completed her Associate degree in General Education this spring. Student recognitions continued when Snead State Executive Project Director of Workforce Enhancement Dr. Greg Randall recognized students in the Registered Apprenticeship Program to graduate – Derek Lowe, Dylan Markle, and Ermelinda Ortiz, all of Albertville. The students earn while they learn by completing their training with industry partners such as Marshall Medical Centers and Newman Technology. Alina Ramirez-Perez of Boaz gave the invocation, and Audrey Beasley gave a benediction before the graduates exited the gym in a recessional, ending this year’s Commencement Ceremony. The Jazz Band and the College Street Singers also performed during the ceremony.
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Boaz Valedictorian Taylor Gardner
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Boaz Salutatorian Anderson Lambert
Over the years, he has won numerous team awards, including MVP, most wins, and the David Wilson Award. As a basketball player, he earned the Newcomer of the Year award and All-Area honorable mention. In the fall he plans to attend Berry College, where he will be member of the college's tennis team. He plans to major in Chemistry with hopes of attending dental school.
earned all-county selections, one county team championship, three singles county championships five and two doubles county championships, three section team championships, three singles and doubles section championships, and a Class 4A-5A number one doubles state runner-up. Lambert was also selected for the North-South tennis All-Star team and was chosen as the Gadsden Times Player of the Year.
ANLA Scholarships
Snead State Community
Alannah and Alex. They have both represented Snead State in the highest regard, and I look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the future. The sky is the limit for both of them.” “During my time at Snead State Community College, I gained invaluable hands-on experience in the horticulture field, which contributed to my receiving the Harold Thornhill Scholarship. The mentorship of my instructors, along with practical training and a supportive learning environment, played a vital role in this achievement. This scholarship recognizes students with exceptional promise in horticulture, and I am eager to apply the skills I’ve learned to future opportunities. I extend my gratitude to Snead State Community College and the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association for their support,” said Lee. “I am honored to receive the Lee Howell Scholarship from the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association, which recognizes my dedication to the horticulture industry. My time at Snead State Community College solidified my passion for this field, providing hands- on experience and valuable industry connections that have shaped my career path,” said Wiggins. Traditionally, scholarship recipients are honored at
College has
announced
that two students from its Horticulture Program have been awarded one of the most competitive scholarships available to agricultural science and horticulture students in Alabama. Alannah Wiggins of Guntersville and Alex Lee of Douglas, both standout students under the guidance of Horticulture Instructor Dr. Tom Warren, have each been awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA). Wiggins and Lee are now enrolled at Auburn. The ANLA scholarship is highly selective, with only five recipients chosen annually from a pool of applicants across the state. Wiggins and Lee’s selection marks a significant achievement not only for themselves but also for Snead State’s growing reputation in horticultural education. “Earning this highly competitive scholarship is a remarkable accomplishment, and for two of our students to earn the ANLA scholarship is truly outstanding,” said Dr. Warren. “It speaks volumes about their talent, perseverance, and character. This recognition is incredibly well-deserved. I am incredibly proud of
Alannah Wiggins
Alex Lee
an annual banquet held the evening before the Gulf States Horticulture Expo in Mobile. However, this year’s event was canceled due to an unprecedented snowstorm that impacted the Gulf region in January—a rare weather event that made headlines across the South. Instead, the ANLA held a virtual meeting in March to formally recognize the recipients.
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Snead State Vice President for Student Services Jason Cannon, right, presents the James B. Allen Award to Evan Patterson.
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