Warren, Franklin receive academic honors
Frederick Warren (right) and Don Franklin, Jr. will receive valedictorian and salutatorian honors at tomorrow’s graduation.
A lot of hard work and dedication has paid off for two ACHS seniors. Don Franklin, Jr. and Frederick Warren will receive the top academic honors at tomorrow’s graduation ceremony.
Frederick Warren will receive the honor of valedictorian. Warren is the son of Gidgett and Kelly Warren.
During high school he has been involved in Beta, National Honor Society, Pep Club and has received the Yale Alumni Award.
“It’s something that I always wanted so I went after it,” Warren said.
Warren said his family members were his biggest supporters throughout high school.
“They are proud that I got what I went for,” Warren said.
Warren named his mother specifically for giving him the inspiration to do his best.
“She said anything less than doing my best is unacceptable,” Warren said.
Having support from others is only half the battle.
“It’s still kind of on yourself,” Warren said.
Warren discussed the sacrifices it took for him to get where he is.
“Sometimes you’ve got to give up your friends to study,” Warren said. “You have to make the time.”
Warren will attend Lindsey Wilson College in the fall as a secondary education major with an emphasis in math.
“I like teaching people,” Warren said.
Warren’s favorite subject is math.
“Two plus two is always four,” Warren said. “You can’t really maneuver around that.”
Warren said his future goals are “children, wife, be a teacher and have a decent living.”
Don Franklin, Jr. will receive the honors of salutatorian. He is the son of Eddie and Lillie Franklin.
During high school he has been involved in the National Honor Society and the Beta Club.
“I worked hard,” Franklin said. “I’ve achieved a lot in high school. I can see the fruits of what I’ve worked for paying off.”
Franklin’s support group throughout high school included a vast number of people, including family.
“It was a lot of hard work and support from family, teachers and friends,” Franklin said.
“I‘ve had many good teachers that have guided me,” Franklin said. “There have been many that have helped me out and taught me great lessons.”
Franklin’s main goal in high school was to excel academically.
“I wanted to have good grades in high school,” Franklin said.
Franklin’s favorite subject is history.
“I enjoy it,” Franklin said. “I enjoy looking back. I can apply several lessons to real life.”
Franklin will attend Lindsey Wilson College in the fall as a business management major.
He wants to get a business degree so that he can help continue the family business, Don Franklin Motors in Columbia.
“That’s what I grew up around,” Franklin said.
A part of the reason Franklin wanted to go into the family business was his grandfather, Don Franklin, Sr.
“My grandpa started it,” Franklin said. “We were close.”
The ACHS graduation will be tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the ACHS gymnasium.
By Allison Hollon
allison@accvonline.com
