Emma Neesmith, Valedictorian
Aylin Angel, Salutatorian
On Friday night, when the Class of 2023 will walk onto Buck Cravey Field for the last time as students of Vidalia High School, they will be led by this year’s Valedictorian Emma Neesmith and Salutatorian Aylin Angel.
The two have been friends since the 10th grade when Neesmith transferred from Robert Toombs, and according to Neesmith, that’s one of the best decisions she has ever made, “I was a little apprehensive coming from a small school, but Aylin and everyone accepted me from day one. I love Vidalia High School and am so honored to represent our class as the Valedictorian.”
Neesmith, who will attend The University of Georgia with hopes to pursue a Law Degree, has been a member of the Competition Cheer Team as well as the Two-Time Defending State Champion Game Day Cheer Team, says that she will miss the “extra things” about her high school experience, “I am really going to miss the practices, the preparation and the family atmosphere we have here at Vidalia.”
Neesmith has a bit of advice for those who may want to follow in her footsteps, “Make sure you take time to take it all in. Don’t stress over the small things and take time to do the things that may not revolve around academics.”
Angel, who has been working as part of her family business for as long as she can remember, says you have to find a balance between academics and your everyday life, “It can’t be all about academics. You have to find a balance and enjoy other things.”
Angel went on to say that, although she’s not sure what she will do in the near future, she’s pretty sure it will involve “working with children. “I have always enjoyed working with kids, so whatever I do, I feel like it will be working with children in some way.”
Angel said she knew in the 7th grade that she could reach the top of her class, and she set out to accomplish that, “it was a goal from early on, and I worked to make sure that I had a chance to achieve my goal. I am so honored to be the Salutatorian of Vidalia High School. For a look at an interview with Neesmith and Angel with Communications Director John Koon, follow this link https://youtu.be/8wA-pJSLu-Y.
