Alpharetta, Milton Students Named Star Seniors By District

ALPHARETTA/MILTON, Ga. — Fulton County Schools recently named Star Seniors of the district. The Star Seniors include exemplary students who are academically advanced as well as those who have succeeded in various ways.

The Star Seniors include a student from Alpharetta, Cambridge and Milton high schools.

Alpharetta High School’s Jalon Kimes has a “can do” attitude, so says his computer science teacher Lee Nicholson. Despite having experienced some significant obstacles in his life, he has managed to persevere taking a rigorous course load “with a stellar attitude and resilience,” concurs his guidance counselor Amy Longstreth. With a resume of nine AP courses and an A average, Kimes is headed to Brandeis University in Boston on the Posse Scholarship: a four-year, full tuition leadership award.

“Everyone comes from different circumstances,” Kimes said. “Despite all the things that would hinder me, I think I was able to achieve more than what was expected of me. I just had to focus, do better for myself so I could do better for my family.”

Kimes worked hard to be a good example for his two younger brothers and helpful to his mom. He has learned to challenge himself and branch out in new activities like Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and fencing. After three years on the Alpharetta fencing team, he placed in the top 80 in the high school fencing league. A fan of robotics, he is passionate about 3D modeling and animation.

Kimes has maintained family loyalty and respect. His goal is to achieve financial independence through investing and business entrepreneurship to ensure support for his family. Alpharetta High School Principal Shannon Kersey said, “Not only is Jalon a Star Senior, he is a star human being.”

Cambridge High School’s Jackson Wakefield stretched himself to make positive changes in the world as well as broaden his own horizons.

His counselor Allyson Carvell describes him as being curious about life, open-minded, kind and generous. That curiosity has informed his adventuresome spirit. Starting his day at 4:45 a.m., Wakefield keeps busy with a demanding schedule.

“If there’s something worth doing, you can always make time for it,” Wakefield said.

He has also spread his wings to help break faith-based and cultural barriers by attending a local mosque. He has built relationships with the congregation’s leaders to better understand their challenges. Twice he has traveled to Guatemala to work at a school and orphanage where he’s mentored young children.

At Cambridge, he has mentored freshmen as they adjust to high school and participated in the Junior Classical League all four years. Wakefield is a triathlete, qualifying for the 2016 USAT Triathlon as well as a devoted CrossFit member who runs an occasional half-marathon.

Unlike most of his peers though, he spends a lot of time off the screen and in a book. His favorite subjects are social studies and psychology which he may use in his future as he’s interested in cognitive science and artificial intelligence.

AP chemistry teacher Ellen Kerr has been inspirational to him in his love of science. With plans to attend UGA, Wakfield is considering a possible career in medicine.

Milton High School’s Rylyn Monahan has made a big impact on the Milton community since ninth grade. She was ambitious early on, from assuming leadership positions in the French and English National Honors Society to serving as co editor-in-chief for the literary magazine to making the varsity volleyball team as a sophomore.

Additionally, she traveled on a school-sponsored trip to Italy and to France as an exchange student. International travel contributed to her love for the French language and culture and, due to her extensive vocabulary and spot-on accent, she’s been mistaken for a French native. Last summer, she attended the Governors Honors program for French.

Karen Jones, Language Arts department chair, said “Rylyn walked in freshman year rocking ninth grade honors. She could have jumped in to 11th grade honors."

Monahan successfully juggles many activities and interests with school studies saying, “My parents taught me that academics always come first. Clubs and activities are an outlet for me to express myself, so I’ve always been able to manage academics knowing I could have extra fun that the clubs provide.”

Her proudest moment was developing International Night, an eye-opening experience where she learned “where everybody came from,” by listening to their stories.

Monahan will attend Carlton College, a small liberal arts institution in Minnesota. Though she’s not sure of her major, she knows French will always be a part of her life.