During the Honor’s Night celebration held on May 7, 2024, Valdosta High School principal, Dr. Johnnie Marshall and the VHS faculty and staff proudly recognized the accomplishments of the senior class along with the top three honor graduates of the Class of 2024.
At the top of the graduating class of 561 seniors is valedictorian, Bryant Miley. Miley, the son of James William Miley and Cynthia Ann Miley, is an International Baccalaureate student and vice president of the Science National Honor Society. He plans to major in applied physics and will attend Georgia Institute of Technology. Miley is a member of the VHS Beta Club, VHS Wind Symphony, and the English National Honor Society. He expressed his thoughts on being named valedictorian: “It is a great honor to be acknowledged in such a special way in the presence of my peers, but I certainly could not have achieved this without the support of my amazing teachers and friends!”
Nyla Cook, daughter of Terrob Cook and Yelin Brooks, earned the title of salutatorian. “Do not be afraid to put yourself out there. Make connections, as you will need them when trying to pursue a higher education” is advice that Cook suggested to current and future Wildcats. Cook is a dual enrollment student at Valdosta State University. She was a member of the VHS Varsity and Junior Varsity Soccer team and a member of the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Team. Cook will be attending the University of Georgia and majoring in biological sciences.
Rounding out the top three honor graduates is Kerry Smith, daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth Smith. An International Baccalaureate student, Smith is captain of the VHS Swim team, vice president of the VHS Beta Club, and president of the Interact Club. “Finding out I was one of the top three graduates not only validates the countless hours of commitment in the classroom but also motivates me to continue striving for greatness in my future,” stated Smith. She plans to attend Georgia Institute of Technology and major in industrial engineering.
All three distinguished graduates will be delivering the invocation and speeches at the VHS graduation scheduled for May 24, 2024 at 8:00 PM at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.