By By Adrienne McKenzie
Emily Gehman and Jordan McGill worked hard to become the top of their Escambia County High School graduating class.
Gehman, daughter of David and Shyrell Gehman, was named the ECHS valedictorian and she said graduating Friday night was a great experience.
Gehman worked hard during her years at ECHS to become the top of her class. She was involved in many extracurricular activities including Student Government Association for four years, National Honor Society member for three years and president during her senior year and class president for two years and class vice president for one year. She was also a Fellowship of Christian Students member for four years, a varsity cheerleader for three years, where she was captain for two years and a member of the Atmore Elite ALL-STAR Dance Team and Step Team for two years.
Gehman is also a Youth Leadership Atmore graduate and was an Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador her senior year.
Gehman received many awards for her hard work and dedication while at ECHS. She was an Atmore Rotary Club Four-Year Academic All-Star and an Universal Cheerleading Association All-Star. She won the DAR Citizenship Award her junior year and was selected as the school’s Alabama Girls State Delegate her junior year.
Gehman was a recipient of many awards during the ECHS Class Night, including the Most Likely to Succeed Award of her senior class.
Gehman said it is important for future graduates to prepare for college, including applying for scholarships.
Gehman plans to attend a local community college and then transfer to the University of Alabama for a degree in general education.
McGill, the daughter of Steve and Janet McGill, was selected as the ECHS salutatorian. McGill’s family is known for being in the top of senior classes.
McGill has pushed her way through to the top by being involved in as much as possible, including the Student Government Association, National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She was a varsity cheerleader at ECHS for four years and was co-captain her senior year. She was on the Expose All-Star Dance Team for three years. She is also involved in drama, sign language and the choir at First Assembly of God in Atmore.
McGill was a Rotary Club Four-Year Academic All-Star. She was also a recipient of a presidential scholarship at Faulkner, among many other scholarships.
She said her favorite moment at ECHS was cheering.
McGill plans to attend Faulkner for a degree in elementary education. She will continue her education at the University of Alabama.
McGill said future seniors should be sure to treasure moments.