Honorees nervous, excited about future
Staff writer
Marion High School co-valedictorians Jaclyn DeForest and Kaylyn Spencer and salutatorian Drew Maddox are excited, and a little nervous, about the transition to college.
All three said the small size of MHS was beneficial for them.
“I got to know my teachers, and got to know them on a personal basis,” Maddox said, echoing the sentiments of DeForest and Spencer.
The small class sizes give teachers an opportunity to learn the strengths and weaknesses of their students, DeForest said.
Jaclyn DeForest
DeForest will study bakery science at Kansas State University. She said she has always wanted to go into a food-related field.
She is a little nervous but generally excited about the transition from MHS to a campus of thousands. She wants to stay involved at college, and plans to join a campus ministry.
She said she was proud of reaching her goal of being co-valedictorian. Her inspiration came from her sister, Ashley, who was valedictorian in 2001.
“It was pretty important to me,” DeForest said.
Math was her favorite subject in high school, and she also enjoyed Spanish.
Charles and Cathy DeForest of Florence are her parents.
Kaylyn Spencer
Spencer plans to attend Tabor College, to study accounting. She chose Tabor College because she wanted a small setting close to home.
Accounting appeals to her because she enjoys working with numbers and the organization required for accounting. She took an accounting class in high school, and that helped her decide on a field of study.
“I really want to get involved and meet new people, and do what I want to do and experience college,” Spencer said.
Math and computers were her favorite subjects in high school.
Some of her school success came naturally, but she also spent hours studying every night, so earning the right to be co-valedictorian was rewarding.
“It meant that all the hard work I put into it paid off,” Spencer said. “Grades are important to me.
“A lot of what helped me through high school was my parents and brother,” she added. “They were always there for me, which was a huge plus.”
Eddie and Darla Spencer of Florence are her parents. Hunter Spencer is her brother.
Drew Maddox
Maddox will study business at Kansas State University, probably accounting or finance. He said he doesn’t entirely know what to expect in the transition to K-State.
“I’m a little nervous, but I’m going to take it as a challenge to keep my grades up,” he said.
Maddox wants to eventually earn a master’s degree and own his own business.
His favorite memories of high school are spending time with friends. He has contemplated the fact that he will never be a high school student again.
“It’s a little nerve wracking,” he said. “I’ve been in high school four years now and it’s a little hard to believe it’s over already.”
His favorite subject in high school was math, especially calculus and statistics.
Danny and Brenda Maddox of Marion are his parents.