5/10/17

Blake Underwood and Christie Taylor,, White County Valedictorians

Blake Underwood and Christie Taylor, White County Valedictorians

(Cleveland)- Lots of White County High School seniors were recognized Tuesday night as the high school handed out its Senior Awards and scholarship recipients were announced.  During the Senior Awards, for the first time ever,  two Valedictorians were announced.  Christie Taylor and Blake Underwood were both recognized with the honor.

White County Superintendent of Schools  Dr. Jeff Wilson said, with the recently signed Senate Bill 211, by the governor,  the legislation requires school systems to include in their valedictorian process students who are not only a traditional high school student, but those who are participating in  the “ Move on when Ready” and “ Dual Credit”  programs.   

Governor Deal signed the bill just a few days ago and the school system quickly made a decision to conform with the law and recognize both Taylor, who is a Move on When Ready student and Underwood, a traditional student.  Wilson said, “ we are proud to have both  recognized  as Valedictorians.”  

  The event was held at the Bridge Church in Cleveland and High School Counselor Keith Futch said on the scholarship side $300,000 in scholarships were awarded.  According to Futch,  many of the students received multiple scholarships and for several, those scholarships are renewable,  which result in just over a million dollars in total awards. 

A total of 112 scholarships were awarded, “one of the biggest number of scholarships we’ve ever done, the biggest dollar figure, most scholarships, most community scholarships, this has been a big year,” commented Futch.