Twenty-nine seniors graduated from John Tyler Morgan Academy on May 18 in the school’s old gym as thunderstorms threatened outside.
The Class of 2023 at Morgan earned more than $2 million in scholarships. The valedictorian for 2023 is Allen Michael Creech, and the salutatorian is Perrin Bradley Utsey.
Creech said he plans to attend Auburn University next fall to major in engineering. Utsey said he plans to attend the University of Alabama to major in pre-law or accounting with hopes to become a tax attorney.
In his salutatorian address, Utsey said, “I am confident that we have the skills and knowledge to face whatever challenges come our way whether we choose to pursue higher education, enter the workforce, or explore other paths. We have the potential to make a difference in our world.”
Valedictorian Creech said he thought of Morgan’s last football game against Glenwood School. “After that game, I was crying, and I was sad that football was over,” he said. “But I was thankful for the good times and the not so good times, and I was also thankful for the friendships that I gained from it.”
As for tough times ahead, Creech said, “Remember that you have these people here tonight. Remember and be thankful for your families and your friends that love you and have supported you during your time at Morgan. And most importantly, keep steady in your faith.”
Morgan Academy Director of Technology Betty Carol Swindle presented the Nell Edwards Scholarship to McCann Perkins. Edwards, the first fifth grade teacher at Morgan Academy, taught math and science, and “her passion was to shape her students’ characters,” Swindle said.
Perrin Utsey led the invocation, Keenan Lee McHugh gave the scripture reading, McCann Perkins brought the welcome and Allen Lightfoot gave the benediction.
The Morgan Academy graduating class of 2023 includes: Randall Clay Beers, Bailey Miran Brown, Anna Grace Chance, Taylor Bradley Clements, Allen Michael Creech, Chad Eric Crocker Jr., Matthew Calvin Edwards, Stephen Daniel Feister, Sarah Lloyd Free, Jackson Gage Houston Griffin, Anna Drew Haugen, Ted Morrow Henry, Sarah Grade Holladay, Lucy Elizabeth Hopkins, Casen Robert Huff, John Allen Ingram, James Allen Lightfoot, Keenan Lee McHugh, Thomas Edwina McHugh, Margaret Elizabeth McLaughlin, Luis Emilio Montero, Robert Jackson Moore, Julia McCann Perkins, Audrey June Selby, John Haden Smith, Perrin Bradley Utsey, Rhyne Russell Williams, Spencer Cole Wilson and John Beckman Youngblood.
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