BROOKESMITH – The Brookesmith High School Class of 2023 will graduate at 7 p.m. Friday, May 26 at the school gymnasium, as valedictorian Elida Uvalle and salutatorian Sharon Beth Bradley will be recognized as the top two graduates.
Both are already college graduates – attaining associates degrees from Ranger College earlier this month.
“We took dual credit classes and we took enough hours that we could graduate with an associates degree,” Bradley said. “We got our associates of arts and got to walk the stage and shake their hands.”
Uvalle, the daughter of Brent and Beatrice Fanning, said of the valedictorian honor, “It means that our hard work has finally paid off. I would say it’s better to strive for something bigger and be on the top than to settle for something you could do better if you tried to the best of your ability.”
Bradley, the daughter of Jim and Angie Bradley, said of earning salutatorian status, “I feel like we’re setting a good example for all the kids that are following us, and family members like my little brother. I want other kids to strive hard to try and make one of the two top spots.”
Uvalle is headed to Angelo State University and will pursue a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology.
“I want to use it to coach,” Uvalle said. “I want to be able to help kids that go through a difficult time in their family life. I came from a difficult family lifestyle and I turned to sports and I had some very good coaches that helped me get through that. I want to be able to do the same for other kids.”
Bradley intends to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a kindergarten teacher after she attends Howard Payne University.
“I want to get my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education,” Bradley said. “I want to be a kindergarten teacher like my mom. She’s the kindergarten teacher here and I’ve been her student aide and I’ve been in her classroom multiple years. I think it’s really cool to help kids get the fundamentals and to teach to them how to be in a school environment, and it’s really sweet to watch them grow up.”
As for what they will miss most about high school, Uvalle said, “I’m definitely going to miss basketball, but I won’t miss it as much as I’ll miss track. That’s where I excelled and the coaches I had at the time made track very fun. My favorite teacher is Mr. Primrose and my favorite class is Patriotics. It’s a class she developed that’s like a government class but more on the side of learning our rights as citizens, what the Declaration of Independence means, and how we can protect ourselves.”
Bradley added, “I love basketball but I’m going to miss cheering the most. I’ve been cheering a long time and I love it, it’s been so much fun. Getting to do activities with all the people I like to be around. Being in a small school we get to do everything.”
Looking down the road 10 to 15 years, Uvalle said, “I plan to come back and hopefully get a coaching job here.”
Bradley added with a laugh, “I plan on probably teaching here, taking my mom’s job.”
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VALS AND SALS/GRADUATION 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