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PAGE 7A May 2026
Griggs and Clontz Lead Southside Class of 2026
Southside High School has released the names of the Top 10 Students from the Class of 2026 and where they plan to attend college next fall. These students are: • 1. Tanner Griggs (Valedictorian) - UAB • 2. Cora Lee Clontz (Salutatorian) - Montevallo • 3. Hannah Westcott - Auburn University • 4. Trek Gardner - University of Alabama • 5. Macy Baron - University of Alabama • 6. Della Wheeler - UAB • 7. Emary Arquitola - UAB • 8. Cy Bush - University of Alabama • 9. Samantha Gidley - Gadsden State • 10. Cyrus Johnson - Auburn University Tanner Griggs - Valedictorian Tanner Griggs is the 2026 Valedictorian at Southside High School. After graduation he plans to attend University of Alabama at Birmingham in the fall and pursue a degree in Neuroscience. He has a desire to attend Medical School in the future. At Southside Tanner has been actively involved in Varsity Cross Country and Track, serves as Student Government President, is an AP Scholar, has served as President of National Honor Society, and has led in FCA and First Priority. Tanner was elected State Auditor at Alabama Boys State ’25, and he actively serves his community through Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy, Absolute Fitness Campus Representatives, Etowah Chamber Leadership, Army National Guard Youth Council and as an Etowah Baptist Summer Missionary the past three summers. Tanner was one of 16 students chosen to attend Summer Science Institute at Auburn University last summer, and he is a founding member of SHS’s first Science Club and National Teen Science Cafe. Tanner was recently named the AHSAA Bryant Jordan Scholar Athlete for Class 6A. Cora Lee Clontz - Salutatorian Coralee Clontz has been named Salutatorian of the Southside High School class of 2026. She is from Rainbow City and is the daughter of David and Tiffany Clontz. She is a member of numerous clubs and organizations at Southside, including ASTRA, The National Honors Society, and The International Thespians Society. She was extremely active in the Southside Theatre Program and the Southside High School Choir. She placed statewide in the Walter Trumbauer State Theatre Festival in numerous events. Coralee was also a member of the Southside High School Bowling Team, where she was named All-State and Region each of the past three years and won an individual state championship in 2024. She was a member of the 2024 Women's Bowling State Championship team. Coralee will attend The University of Montevallo on a presidential academic leadership scholarship and a theatre scholarship. She has been admitted into the prestigious Montevallo Bachelor of Fine Arts Theatre Program.
Snead State Community College Vice President for Student Services Jason Cannon (left) presented the Civitan Award to Jennifer Wiley during the college's 2026 Commencement Ceremony. Submitted Photo
Submitted Photo
Valedictorian Tanner Griggs
Submitted Photo
Snead State Community College Vice President for Student Services Jason Cannon (left) presented the James B. Allen Award to Ely Bonilla during the college's 2026 Commencement Ceremony. Gadsden State Community College is hosting a summer orientation for new students in June, July, and August. The orientation is designed to assist students with enrollment to the College and it connects them with individuals and groups. Each date will have two sessions (8:45 a.m. & 1:45 p.m.). Please check in 30 minutes early. Multiple sessions are available to choose from: • June 18 - Ayers Campus in Anniston • July 8 - Gadsden State Cherokee Campus (Centre) • July 9 - East Broad Campus (Tech Programs only) • July 16, 21, 23, and 29 East Broad Campus in Gadsden • A Saturday session is scheduled for August 1 on the East Broad Campus. Cardinal Commit Orientation
Submitted Photo
Salutatorian Cora Lee Clontz
Fort Payne High School Class of 2026 Submitted Photo
Congratulations Class of 2026
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