Read moreFirst class: Rhea County Academy honors its first senior class2014 Valedictorians
When Shehan McFadden gave her valedictorian speech at Signal Mountain High School last week, she shared the spotlight with nearly 170 classmates.
“We are a talented class,” she says. “We have 17 state champions in sports. We have 14 Eagle Scouts. We won 26 awards at Model United Nations and Youth in Government. We have five National Merit (Scholarship) semifinalists and three more commended students.
“Seven members of our class have attended Governor’s School. In theater, one person was recognized as a first in the state and another second. In band, we have had three people go to senior clinic and one member placed and participated in all-state band. And our chorus has competed at state three times, receiving the highest possible ratings twice.”
The teenager knows hard work pays off. She can prove it.