When the rankings came out for the Colbert Heights High School senior class in April, guidance counselor Deahna Jackson was not surprised at the student who sat atop the class.
That student was Caitlyn Morgan. Jackson, who has been the guidance counselor for the past two years, has known Morgan and her family for a long time and said there was no doubt in her mind that Morgan would be the valedictorian.
“Caitlyn is a very deserving young lady. She has a great work ethic, and it obviously shows,” Jackson said. “I know she has worked her entire life for this moment, and I was not shocked at all when the rankings were finalized and she was at the top.”
Unlike her guidance counselor, Morgan said she wasn’t so sure that she was the presumptive valedictorian.
“I was actually surprised when the rankings came out,” Morgan said. “I mean, I figured I was in consideration for it, but I never actually thought it would be me. It is an amazing honor to be the valedictorian, and this is something I have been striving for since I first set foot in this school.”
Although Morgan’s work ethic is highly praised now, she said she didn’t always have that drive.
“In the seventh and eighth grade I kind of slacked off. I didn’t try nearly as hard as I should have,” Morgan said. “But when I got to the ninth grade I realized how important my grades were, and from then on I put my head down and got work done, and it really paid off.”
Morgan said she owes a majority of the credit to her parents and the faculty and staff at Colbert Heights High School for helping her get where she is today.
“I owe the faculty and staff a huge thank you. They taught me well, and without them I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Morgan said. “My parents have probably had the biggest impact on my academics. They have truly pushed me to be the best student that I can possibly be, and I owe them a lot of the credit.”
Morgan will graduate with honors and have a cumulative GPA of 3.9. In addition to being a great student, she participated in many different clubs during her high school career as well, including FBLA, HOSA and National Honor Society. Her future plans include attending Northwest-Shoals Community College before transferring to UAB to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist.
Jackson believes Morgan will be able to carry her success in high school over to college without a problem.
“Caitlyn attended school regularly, she never skipped class, she completed all of her assignments and she is just an overall great student,” Jackson said. “I have no doubt that she will continue that behavior going into college.”
Morgan said that while she is ready to begin this new chapter in her life, she hopes she has left her mark on her school.
“I want the future students to look at what I’ve done and be inspired by that,” Morgan said. “You have to start early and keep working throughout your entire school career. Never take a day off, be a consistent student, and you’ll be fine.”
