ZEPHYR – The Zephyr High School Class of 2023 will graduate at 7 p.m. Friday, May 26 at the Zephyr ISD Gymnasium, where valedictorian Lillie Thomas and salutatorian Ella Millican will be honored as the top two graduates.
For Thomas, the valedictorian accolade continues a family tradition.
“I’ve been going to Zephyr since first grade,” Thomas said. “All my sisters (Georgia, Hannah and Trinity) were valedictorian or salutatorian and I’ve always been in their shadow, so I wanted to step up and show myself I could be the valedictorian and have good grades while working two jobs and doing all the sports I could and representing Zephyr well and in a positive direction.”
Millican, meanwhile, made a late surge in high school to climb to the No. 2 spot in her class.
“I was close to the person who was second and found out there was a possibility I could pass them up, so I just started working at it,” Millican said. “When I found out I was really excited. I’ve been through a whole lot this year emotionally and physically. To do something like this shows me what I can do if I put my mind to it.”
Regarding plans after college, Thomas said, “I’ll be going to Texas Tech in the fall to major in Kiniesology to either become a physical therapist or a sports trainer, mostly because I always wanted to be in the medical field. I like to help people but I don’t want to go to school as long as it takes to be a doctor. I really like Anatomy, our Science teacher Ms. Lancaster has really made an impression on me. Physical therapy helps people mentally and physically, which is what I want to be able to do. If I don’t go with physical therapy and choose sports trainer, I’ve played sports my whole life so I’ll be getting to connect with kids, which I love, and also helping them mentally and physically overcome obstacles while playing sports that they love.”
Millican said, “I’m going to Tarleton to study Bio-Medical Science to be a PA (Physician’s Assistant). I like helping people. I have an interest in Anatomy and Ms. Lancaster made it that much more interesting. We went to a cadaver lab to look at bodies and all their functions and all the stuff they had in them. It was really interesting. It piqued my interest a lot more and Ms. Lancaster pushed me to want to become a PA.”
Reflecting on their fondest memories in high school, Thomas said, “Basketball, volleyball and FCCLA were probably my favorites. I’m going to miss FCCLA and doing the projects and that excitement of what I will do this year, what can I do to make it state or nationals, what can I do to help my school and community. Basketball is the sport I love, so obviously going to miss that.”
Millican echoed similar sentiments, citing, “Volleyball, One-Act Play and FCCLA. Helping out with the community is really fun and a fulfilling thing that people don’t realize until you put yourself into something bigger than you. It’s a lot more rewarding. The fact that we had the opportunity to go to state and the opportunity of nationals and the fact that the school makes it all possible, I loved it.”
Asked what advice they would offer younger students wanting to follow in their footsteps and become the top graduates in their class, Thomas said, “I don’t want to go to school as much as the next person, but pushing myself to do those extra college credits and putting in the extra work to do extra credit, that made me a better person not only inside school but outside. It builds a lot of character to push yourself to be better than everybody else.”
Millican added, “Whenever you’re thinking you don’t want to go to school or don’t want to do this, do whatever you can to get that thought out of your head. Occupy yourself or find something that you really love and pursue it as much as you can. You have no idea how much this is going to count toward your future. When I was little I had no idea how much what I did when I was younger affects what I do when I’m older, it becomes habit.”
***
VALS AND SALS/GRADUATION PAGE SCHEDULE
Monday, May 15– BCCS
Tuesday, May 16 – Early
Wednesday, May 17 – Zephyr
Thursday, May 18 – Brookesmith
Friday, May 19 – Blanket
Monday, May 22 – Brownwood
Tuesday, May 23– Bangs
Wednesday, May 24 – May
Thursday, May 25 – Premier
Friday, May 26 – Coleman