Amber Tiller was recognized as valedictorian of Oglethorpe County High School’s graduating class at Senior Honors Night in the cafeteria on Tuesday.
She will attend Georgia Tech in the fall, pursuing studies in aerospace engineering. She credits her family to much of her success and said they always encouraged her and supported her in her studies.
Tiller did not always aim to become valedictorian.
“I just applied myself and worked really hard. A lot of late nights,” Tiller said.
Kayden Watkins was recognized as salutatorian and Callie Bridges was recognized as honorarian.
In a surprise announcement, Superintendent Beverley Levine was honored with a scholarship established in her name from the Board of Education.
Levine is retiring after working in the Oglethorpe County School System since 1987. She’s been the superintendent since 2015.
Andee Dellinger is the first recipient of the Beverley Levine Patriot Pride Scholarship, valued at $1,000.
“I’m just so honored that the board thought to recognize me this way,” she said. “Andee just could not have been a better recipient. She is the cheerleader of the high school.”
In 2006, Levine created the Patriot Pride Award at OCMS to recognize students beyond their academic achievements. The award honors students who are positive, serve as a role model to their peers and go out of their way to help teachers and students.
“I love Ms. Levine, and she means so much to me,” Dellinger said. “She’s been so wonderful in Oglethorpe County, so I’m honored to have this award in her name.”
Donations for the Beverley Levine Patriot Pride Scholarship can be made through the Athens Area Community Foundation’s Oglethorpe County School System Fund.
Tiller also received the CAYA House Community Champion Scholarship and the Oglethorpe County Rotary Club Outstanding Senior award.
A community champion is someone who demonstrates a strong commitment to community service while maintaining a positive attitude, strong performance and leadership.
Watkins was awarded the Dr. Nancy Coleman Hart Scholarship, a $5,000 annual scholarship totaling $20,000, and the Herman & Magdalene Hicks Award, in which the recipient's name will be listed on a plaque at the school.
Bridges was also awarded the Herman & Magdalene Hicks Award, the Jonathan Gabriel Memorial Scholarship, the Oglethorpe County Farm Bureau Scholarship and the Salem Baptist Church Scholarship.
Elin Turner, Carlie Gabriel and Isaiah Ross received Ralph Maxwell Jr. Scholarships from The Oglethorpe Echo. It’s the second year that The Echo has presented the scholarships ($1,000 each) in honor of the newspaper’s longtime owner and publisher.
Jennifer Yauck won the Oglethorpe County Retired Teachers Association’s Teacher of the Year.