SFHS, OCCHS join for ‘Top Ten’

South Fulton High School and Obion County Central High school students included in the Academic Top 10 for the ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th grade classes shared the spotlight May 5 at Discovery Park of America, for a joint recognition ceremony, in honor of their achievements.

After opening comments from Obion County Director of Schools, Tim Watkins and Obion County Judge Jim Smith, 2015 Obion County Central graduate Bryce Warner was introduced as the evening’s guest speaker.

Warner was offered a full athletic scholarship to play football at Southeast Missouri State University, but it was there that Warner recognized his football career in the NFL was out of reach. Warner said there was absolutely nothing wrong with his big dream. It played a role in his path to the present. “I would never say don’t dream big, always dream big, but always have a Plan B... and C and D...”

Warmer transferred from SEMO to the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he earned his degree in veterinary medicine before being accepted into the dentistry program at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences College on his first attempt. Warner graduated with a doctorate in surgery in 2023 and practices medicine at Dyersburg Dental Associates.

“You have made an excellent start on doing what it takes and setting up strong habits for your future,” Warner said, adding the prognosis in getting where students see themselves is within their reach, but making a backup plan, and a backup plan for the backup plan, is important to maintain their path to success.

Just prior to the end of the program, it was announced former owner of Williams Sausage Company in Woodland Mills, Roger Williams and his wife Juli, had donated a $2,000 scholarship for a student in each school.

Judge Smith stated the scholarships were to honor “some of the best teachers to have worked within the school district”. The SFHS award was given in honor of retired South Fulton Middle/High School history teacher Bill Gray and was awarded to SFHS senior Aubree Gore.

Top Ten students from each grade at both high schools were then announced. Breaking with past traditions, the final student rankings within each grade will not be revealed until after final grades have been calculated.

Students were listed in alphabetical order, for the presentation of their Top 10 plaque, and photos for the banquet.

The Top Ten students for South Fulton High School ninth grade class included Sam Auxier, Brooke Burcham, Parker Burden, Gavin Dixon, Hannah Emily, Abigail Hardy, Emma Howes, Lexie Martin, Jeffrey Roberson and Callie Tucker.

South Fulton High School Top 10 tenth grade honorees included Caroline Barclay, Dylan Curtis, Keeley Dance, Jackson Doss, Piper Lusk, McKenzie Mayo, Charles Mulcahy, Journee Puckett, Jadyn Rushin and Benjamin Swift.

South Fulton High School Top 10 eleventh grade honorees were Hadley Barnes, Abbi Bivens, Lydia Carlisle, Stewart Conner, Maddie Gray, (not included in photo) Ryleigh Johnson, Anna Kate Lawrence, Brady McFarland, Austin Reason and Jen Wallace.

Seniors at South Fulton High School who received Top 10 recognition were Malachi Combs, Vance Duty, Anna Gore, Aubree Gore, Emmalee Lattus, Abigail McFarland, Luke Morris, Daniel Pitts, Anna Robertson and Addison Stubblefield.