As the school year comes a close, senior across and the country and at Spartanburg High School prepare to leave their high school years and enter the next chapter of their lives. One of the best parts of the school year wrapping up is looking back on the hard work each student has put in and the fond memories of time spent with friends and classmates.
Every year, Spartanburg High School identifies seniors who are not only well rounded, but they also excel academically. These senior scholars go above and beyond in the classroom as well as in the Spartanburg community. This year’s Senior Scholars are Jennifer Waddle (12) and Nick Rhoden (12) as they both excel in their extracurriculars and strive to be the best in the classroom.
Jennifer Waddle has been a standout member of Spartanburg High School’s student council since the ninth grade, making a huge impact on her classmates each year. As this year’s Student Body president, Waddle has led the way on many exciting projects at Spartanburg High School including organizing Powder Puff volleyball and football games while also balancing a multitude of AP classes.
Guidance counselor Lauren Hicklin gave remarks about Jennifer’s journey.
“Jennifer has excelled at SHS and has such a bright future ahead of her,”
Hicklin said.
Kiley Painter, the Head of Student Council at Spartanburg High School, says that Waddle’s commitment to pushing herself academically while also dedicating her time to help her community inspires those around her and will set her up for future success.
“Jennifer is a positive, professional leader who inspires the student body every day. She is truly inspirational, balancing her challenging academic courses, being an integral part of the swim team, and still making time to be actively involved in student council activities. Jennifer will be a leader no matter where life takes her in the future,” Painter said.
Nick Rhoden is another example of an exceptional Viking scholar.
Guidance counselor Matt Love says Nick is a great role model and a well rounded student.
“Nick is what we hope all students will use as an example,”
Love said.
Over his high school career, Rhoden has been able to balance taking multiple AP classes a year while also making time to compete in cross country as well as track and field.
Cannon Mitchell (10), one of Rhoden’s teammates, says his uplifting presence and positive spirit help make the people around him better.
“Nick is not just a great teammate, but he is also a great person. At practice He always encourages everyone on the team to do better and is overall a great teammate and is a true leader,” Mitchell said. teammates, says his uplifting presence and positive spirit help make the people around him better.
Not only do Rhoden and Waddle inspire their peers, but they also inspire the next generation of students to aim high academically just as they do. Both Rhoden and Waddle are part of the Teach Cadet program at Spartanburg High School where students are able to have experiences leading a classroom at Spartanburg’s local elementary schools.
Lillie Henson (12), a fellow member of the teacher cadet program, says that Rhoden and Waddle are the perfect example of what it is like to achieve academic excellence which inspires their peers.
“Nick and Jennifer set the standard in our Teacher Cadet class—not only with their academic excellence, but through the way they lead by example. They’re always the first to step up, support their peers, and bring energy and commitment to everything we do,” Henson said.