2021 Student of the Year goes to: emma katherine stutts, sheffield high school
Katie Stutts has taken much of what she has learned in her young life and applied it to help a young girl to deal with the same struggles she has dealt with at her age.
Stutts serves as a big sister at Aim High Mentoring. When she was a sophomore in high school she was introduced to a fifth-grade girl, Bella, who had been a victim of bullying.
“She needed that light in her life, but at the beginning of our relationship it was rough,” Stutts said. “She didn’t want to open up to me and didn’t want to talk. It’s hard to get kids like that to come out of their shell.”
But Stutts didn’t give up.
Her persistence paid off.
The two now have formed an unbreakable bond.
“Now, it’s one of her favorite things,” Stutts added. “She wants to know when is the next time she is going to see me. It’s also one of my favorite parts of the week. It has transformed me as a person, and I’ve seen her character grow as a result of being able to meet with me and be able to bond with someone who has gone through the same struggles that I’ve had in high school. She reminds me a lot of myself, so I enjoy seeing her grow and see myself grow because of her.”
Her work as a mentor as well as her hard work in the classroom are reasons why she is the 2021 Scholar Dollar Student of the Year.
Serving as a mentor, Stutts said she holds herself to a higher standard.
“I strive each day to set an example for her,” Stutts said. “I am more conscious of how I treat others and myself and remind her that in the long run, the way she takes care of herself and others will make the most impact. … Her character has immensely changed, and I am proud of the young woman she has become.”
Stutts said that Bella asked her to continue to serve as a mentor to her through college.
“So I’ll stick with her until she decides she’s too cool for me,” Stutts said.
Stutts plans on attending the University of North Alabama to pursue a degree in psychiatry and become a member of the UNA Marching Pride Lionette Line.
She chose this career path because of the personal experiences she has had with mental health.
Stutts’ family dynamic was complicated, which caused her to struggle.
By age 13, she was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and severe depression, which caused a noticeable difference in the way she handled things at home and at school.
After dealing with these illnesses and learning more about the way they work, Stutts decided to be an educator for youth like herself who feel inadequate because they struggle with a challenge most cannot understand.
“I’ve dedicated a lot of time learning about mental health through research to figure out this is what this is and this is what that is,” she said. “I really want to be an advocate for those who have struggled like I have and provide assistance to those who need the help they need.”
Stutts understands becoming a psychiatrist will take intense training and education, but she said she doesn’t want to be a financial burden to anyone.
“I have already received some scholarships, but I will need more to cover the expenses of books, fees and tuition,” she said. “I want to be able to help my parents out as much as possible because they still have two more children to put through school. By handling myself mentally and financially, they will be less burdened by college costs and I will be able to better focus and dedicate myself to my studies.”
In school she is a member of Friends of Rachel, Key Club, Student Council, First Priority, Northwest-Shoals Community College talent search, the high school Diamond Girls, FBLA, National Honor Society, the 24 Karat Club, Sheffield High School Sound of the Shoals Marching Band, Aim High Mentoring, Sheffield Ambassadors, Yearbook staff, Mu Alpha Theta and Mabel’s Heroes.
She also works with the charity, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which is dedicated to building and delivering beds to children in need within the community.
“I have become aware of how fortunate I truly am to have a roof over my head and a bed to sleep in each night,” she said. “It was hard to believe that people so close to me could be sleeping on the floor. I hope to continue to work with this organization and be a more kind, more compassionate and more grateful person as a result.”
Some of the leadership roles she has within school include currently serving as president of the Student Council and her 12th-grade class.
She is business editor of the yearbook and captain of the danceline.
“I have been able to assist and give back to my fellow classmates and community, determine my own strengths and weaknesses and be a confidant for the people I have to lead,” she said. “I am trusted within my school and community, so I am given more opportunities I may not have otherwise. I know I am a servant leader, willing to help out in any areas I am needed. I have learned to be dependable and gracious, and love being able to take charge while showing that you can be successful without trying to dictate or be disrespectful.”
Some of her current honors and awards include being a DAR nominee, a member of the National Honor Society, being named Homecoming Queen, Senior Who’s Who: Best All-Around, 24 Karat Club: Good Citizenship, Top 10% and ranked No. 3 in her class, Distinguished Young Women: Self-Expression Award, Shoals HIRE Academy graduate, Top Beauty Pageant – best interview, picture perfect and queen, Marching Band – best positive attitude and Rookie of the Year, Microsoft Word 2019 certified, Samsung Solve Tomorrow team member and state winner.
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2020 Student of the Year goes to: Koby Lee Flippo, Wilson High School
Koby Flippo is in pursuit of his perfect niche in the business industry. He already has the skills needed to multitask several projects at once – something that will help him build on his success in his chosen career.
Flippo, a graduate of Wilson High School is the 2020 Shoals Scholar Dollars Student of the Year.
He said his days were busy while completing his senior year, even prior to the coronavirus pandemic that sent students home to complete their studies.
In order to balance the different activities he was involved in prior to the stay-at-home orders, Flippo would have scheduled times throughout his mornings and afternoons.
“For example, on a normal Wednesday morning, I go to a weekly Christian Student Impact meeting before school, attend school, then I divide time from the rest of my day between basketball, church and homework,” he said in response to a questionnaire from the Shoals Scholar Dollars organization. “Time management skill are something I have had to develop quickly in my years as a student.”
Flippo said he plans on pursuing a career in the business field, in either accounting or management. Accounting was a frontrunner when he was interviewed in February.
“I guess for me I like to get something right,” he said. “That’s how accounting works. Get that right answer in the end. I love that.”
He said the business field feels like a good fit.
“I chose the business field because when most people think of a businessman, they think of someone who is successful, dresses professionally and helps the community. I feel like all these characteristics fit me and fit the person I plan on becoming.”
He said he was involved with as many school organizations as he could: Future Business Leaders of America, Science Club, Christian Student Impact, Student Council, Class Officers, Warrior Ambassadors, Warriors for Christ, BETA Club, Key Club and coordinator for Wilson’s Miss Reservation Beauty Pageant.
“One organization I have definitely benefited from being a part of is Warriors for Christ,” he said. “I founded this club for our elementary school at Wilson in my junior year. Every Tuesday morning, about 75-100 elementary students and I would have a quick devotional and prayer, grab a snack, and get to class. This opportunity gave me a chance to meet the younger students at my school and help show them something I am passionate about: Jesus. It also gave me an opportunity to grow as I prepared quick devotionals for them every week.”
Flippo is a member of Stony Point Church of Christ where he is involved in the youth group. He said most of his activities away from school was through his church.
“Between vacation Bible school, mission trips, Lads to Leaders, and other opportunities such as Room in the Inn, I have the opportunity to work with people of all ages, and also benefit the community.
“One opportunity I am involved in is an annual mission trip to Berry Church of Christ in Berry, Alabama. Every year, we travel down and help them host a VBS for the children in their area. This has given me a chance to help people that I have never met and help them grow. I chose this activity because it is something that means a lot to me, and something I hope to do for a long time. Through this, I hope to help Berry’s church grow from a distance and help bring others to Christ by being a good example when I am either there or at home.”
His leadership responsibilities in school included: senior class president, FBLA president, Science Club vice president, Warrior Ambassador, and basketball team captain.
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2019 Student of the Year Goes to Chelsea Dekota Thorne
Chelsey Thorne is 18, but already wants to help shape the next generation. “I have a passion for children,” Thorne said in response to a questionnaire. “Making a difference in their academics or just simply showing them how to be kind and compassionate to others can truly change a child’s life. Having the ability to ignite a child’s passion for learning will be a true honor.”
Thorne, a senior at Cherokee High School in Colbert County, is the 2019 Shoals Scholar Dollars Student of the Year.
Before learning she was named Student of the Year, Thorne was asked what it would mean to her to receive the award. She said the award is an honor and it would be her hope to be a good representative of the area. “Living here my entire life, I think I could represent our area very well – being able to share my experience and what I’ve done and being able to further help those in my area, and just being able to give back to those who have helped me,” she said.
She has plans to attend the University of North Alabama where she will major in elementary education with a minor in special education. Judging from her school activities and volunteer work, Thorne will have no problem with the higher demands of college life.
Among her many accomplishments, Thorne is Student Council president, senior class secretary and a Colbert County Schools Student Ambassador. “My busiest day would be a day that I attend all four of my classes, have deadlines to meet in yearbook, and an after school activity that might have included dance line practice or a football game,” she wrote. “It might also include a student ambassador event. “The way I balance my busy days is by planning ahead, focusing on the event at hand and making sure I make the most out of my time.”
Thorne was a member of the Cherokee High School Tribe of Indians Marching Band’s first dance line. “I saw this as an opportunity to help create something new for my school,” she wrote. “I have cheered or danced my entire life, so I saw this opportunity as a way to take my experience and share it with others at my school. “During this marching season, the dance line went through three instructors. Our third instructor did not live here, so I had to communicate and learn routines via messaging. Our dance line originally started with six members, so while I learned everything from marching basics to routines for myself, I was also teaching it to five other members. “While this was challenging, considering I also had schoolwork, it was extremely rewarding. Helping create the first dance line . . . showed me the true meaning of being a leader. The challenges that were brought upon me taught me that a true leader builds up new leaders, and I hope that my contribution to the dance team left them with enough knowledge to be successful in the upcoming year.”
Thorne’s leadership abilities are praised by the school faculty. Kary Pierson, who is an English teacher at the school, taught Thorne advanced English classes for two years, and Thorne was Pierson’s student aid. “She gives her all to her academic pursuits and has true love and compassion for her school and community,” Pierson wrote in a recommendation letter for Thorne. “She regularly leads her class in academics, achieving the highest scores in most subjects and the highest-in-grade at the end of the year. “She has been vocal in her desire to improve things in and around our school. As yearbook editor and business manager, Chelsey takes on many responsibilities, often involving making phone calls and visits to local businesses and leading the yearbook staff in designing and reworking their pages. As a dual enrollment student . . . Chelsey has been able to balance high school and college-level responsibility with ease.”
Janet Jones, a senior administrative assistant at the University of North Alabama, said Thorne’s academic accomplishments are “rivaled only by her personal strengths. Chelsey’s ability to relate with others, to motivate others, and to foster the cooperation of others are second to none,” Jones wrote in a letter of recommendation. “She has a radiant personality, is a dynamic leader, and is very responsible. “It is rare to meet a high school student who is so mature and organized and results-oriented. She demonstrates leadership and vision and has a positive impact on her school and community.”
Outside of school, Thorne is a teen volunteer at Helen Keller Hospital, where she has logged 108 hours. “Originally I chose to volunteer because I thought I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field,” she wrote. “As I began volunteering, I realized that it was much more than just getting experience for a future job. My purpose for volunteering is to help those in need. Whether it is taking a visitor to another part of the hospital or caring for the children at the daycare, I want to provide my service in any way that I can. I feel like volunteering will be a lifelong passion of mine.”
Thorne said the Shoals Scholar Dollars program is important because “this area isn’t very big, and giving students an opportunity to be able to go to college and further their education can truly change and impact a student’s life.” Thorne, who has attended Cherokee since enrolling as a pre-kindergarten student, is the daughter of Daniel and Tammy Thorne. She has an older brother, Chad Thorne, and one of her favorite things to do is to travel with her family. She said they “enjoy being outdoors and spending time with our four cats and five dogs.” She’s also a young entrepreneur. A few years ago, she started her business to sell painted wooden door hangers.
2018 - Trevor Simpson wins Student of the Year honor
By Lisa Singleton-Rickman Staff Writer
FLORENCE — Trevor Simpson took a few seconds to compose himself before he ever said a word after taking the podium Thursday night having just learned he is this year's Shoals Scholar Dollars Student of the Year.
The banquet honoring Simpson, of Florence High School, and his 16 counterparts from other Shoals area high schools was a packed house at the Marriott Shoals Conference Center.
"First of all, without God I wouldn't even be here right now," he said. "I will, without a doubt, now be able to attend college and will be that much closer to realizing my dreams of becoming a physician."
Simpson will attend Northwest-Shoals Community College for two years and then the University of North Alabama.
As this year's winner he not only receives scholarships to the two schools, but $1,000 in cash, a prize package from local businesses and a one-night stay at the Marriott Shoals Hotel and spa with dinner for two.
Deborah Bell Paseur, the chairwoman of the Shoals Scholar Dollars committee, commended the student finalists for their contributions to the program.
"I hope you all realize what a huge role your contributions to this program plays for other students at your schools who'll be getting these scholarships," she said.
The program partnered with the University of North Alabama in 2016 for a transfer scholarship for students who receive a full Pell Grant and wish to transfer to UNA.
Beginning this fall, those students will receive a $500 transfer scholarship from UNA and Shoals Scholar Dollars will match that per semester to help these students finish their four-year degree.
Shoals Scholar Dollars receives all scholarship funding through fundraisers in the local area.
The finalists themselves raised a cumulative total of $3,000 for the the scholarship fund.
Shoals Scholar Dollars Executive Director Randy Pettus said the program is unique in that it allows any student who meets the criteria and wants to earn a college degree toward productive citizenry to get a scholarship award.
Simpson said he realized he was among some of the most outstanding students in the Shoals with his nomination for the award.
"Just knowing how deserving every one of them is makes me that much more grateful," he said. "This achievement definitely shows me that all the hard work has paid off."