Most Valuable Choctaw

Jayleigh Draper, Photographer, Writer

Emma Robbins

Presenting teacher- Ms. Tina Greenlee

“I am honored and privileged today to introduce Emma Robbins as a Most Valuable Choctaw nominee.

Emma is the daughter of Jeff and Monica Robbins, and Emma has represented the school in various capacities.

Academically, Emma is in the top 10% of her class and a member and officer of National Honors Society. For the ACT, Emma has met all of the ACT Benchmarks, is a member of the ACT plus 5 Club, and has been placed on the ACT Wall of Honor for a composite score of 29. Emma maintains a rigorous class schedule consisting of honors as well as college classes in which she has earned more than 20 college credit hours.

Emma has also participated in various school clubs and activities. She is an active member of the yearbook staff, Student Council, Service Club, Dyer County Leadership, Football Cheer, and Dance Team. For her work within these groups, she has earned several distinctions: Football Cheer Most Spirited, Universal Dance, Association’s All American, football homecoming court, and voted by her peers as Miss DCHS.

During her 4 years, Emma has also served in many leadership roles. She is currently the Senior Class Secretary, has been Leo Club President, Football Cheer Captain, and Prom Chairman.

Emma has also been the face of the school within the community. She was selected to represent the school as a Girls State Representative. Through volunteer community service, Emma has earned more than 300 hours by volunteering at Holice Powell, Fifth Consolidated, Newbern and Finley Elementary Schools. Also, she has been a Salvation Army Bellringer and an active member and nursery worker at Finley Baptist Church.

As evidenced by her volunteer work, Emma plans to attend a 4 year university, majoring in elementary education. After college, she plans to return to Dyer County to begin her career as a teacher.

It has been such an honor for me today to represent Emma Robbins for Most Valuable Choctaw.”

 

Addison Colvin

Presenting Teacher: Mrs. Wendi Roberson

Academic Honors/other Awards include:

  1. Maintaining a 3.9 GPA 
  2. 25 composite on ACT, superscore of 26 
  3. Received Honor Roll all 4 years of high school
  4. Being named Top 10% all 3 years eligible 
  5. Nominated as Mr. DCHS
  6. Enrolled in Dual Enrollment courses and will graduate with 20+ hours of college credit 
  7. Being a member of the ACT +3 Club
  8. Being a member of the ACT Benchmark Club 

 

Extracurricular Organizations/Activities include:

  1. 3 year Leadership member 
  2. Beta Club Freshman Representative 
  3. DECA Freshman Representative 
  4. Student Council President
  5. Senior Class President 
  6. National Honor Society Treasurer 
  7. Journalism Team Photography Editor in Chief 
  8. Dyer County Varsity Co-ed member 
  9. Tennis team member 
  10. Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes 
  11. Member of the Service Club

 

Community/Church Participation include:

  1. Interning at Dyersburg Regional Airport as a non-profit volunteer 
  2. Member of First Christian Youth Group
  3. Union Mission volunteer 
  4. Little Choctaws leader
  5. FCC Thanksgiving Meal Provider 
  6. Obtaining 170 total service hours 

 

Future plans: After graduating, I plan to attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where I will major in an undergrad program associated with a background in business or marketing. While in college, I also have intentions of furthering my coed cheer career. 

 

Lily Wilson

Presenting Teacher: Susan Cambell

Parents: Todd and Dina Ross

 

Academic Honors/Awards:

  1. Taken the ACT 9 times
  2. Highest Composite: 33
  3. Superscore: 35
  4. 4.0 unweighted GPA all four years
  5. 5.0 weighted GPA
  6. Won second place in Statistics at the math competition
  7. Expected to have 31 college credit hours by graduation
  8. Graduating high school as a college sophmore

 

Extracurricular Organizations/Activities:

  1. Participated in Service, PINS, Tech, Chess, Drama Club, and National Honor Society
  2. Active math tutor for 2 years
  3. Participated in the math competition for 3 years
  4. President of PINS club for 2 years
  5. With PINS club, I organized the Anti-Smoking Campaign last year
  6. Logged over 300 hours in rehearsal/performances in Drama Club
  7. Two Star Honor Thespian
  8. Acted in 3 performances. working on a 4th
  9. Won Best Supporting Actress for one performance

 

Community/Church Participation:

  1. Worked at multiple independent living facilities for low-income senior adults where I:
  2. Assisted in the creation of their fashion show
  3. Renovated and organized their library
  4. Worked with commodities
  5. Created and distributed their newsletter
  6. Organized their Bingo and Trivia
  7. Logged over 90 hours in community service

 

Future Plans:

I plan on attending the University of Central Arkansas for my bachelor’s in computer science, then later pursuing my masters, I want to start my career in computer engineering, either with big companies like Amazon or working with NASA in space exploration. I also plan to continue on with my community service by volunteering at more independent living facilities and I’m currently working on a project for senior adults to familiarize themselves with basic technology to reduce the risk of identity theft.

 

Julianne Fowler

Presenting teacher: Reachel Hudgins

Academic/Honors Awards:

  1. ACT Wall of Honor: Composite of 30 superscore of 31
  2. ACT +3 Club & Benchmark Club
  3. Gold Club; maintained a 4.0 GPA for all 4 years
  4.  Top 10% for all 4 years
  5. Sixth Year All Northwest Honor Choir Award
  6. 2nd Place winner in the HOSA Regional Competition for Forensic Science
  7. HOSA State Finalist in the Forensic Science Competition
  8. Computer Applications Award in 2017
  9. Most Improved Color Guard Award in 2018
  10. Outstanding Color Guard Award in 2019

Extracurricular Organizations/Activities:

  1. Tribal Grounds manager for 4 years
  2. Math Competition participant for 4 years
  3. National Honors Society Officer
  4. Leo Club Officer
  5. Varsity Girls’ Tennis team player; advanced to the Regional Single’s Tournament last season
  6. Color Guard member and Rifle Feature in the Sound of the Choctaws Marching Band for 3 years
  7. Winter Guard member during freshman year
  8. Cross Country team member during freshman year

Community/Church Participation:

  1. Participant in the Dyer County Recycles Club
  2. Active Member in the Women in God’s Service mission group at Second Baptist Church; Service projects include the Backpack Program and Operation Christmas Child
  3. Member of the Adult Choir and New Beginnings ensemble at Second Baptist Church
  4. Volunteer for Mission Blitz festivities for local churches

 

Sierra Alexander

Presenting teacher: Lynsey Butler

Academic Honors/Awards:

  1. 3rd Place National FFA Creed Speaking Contest Winner and TN State Winner
  2. 2nd Place State FFA Parliamentary Procedure Team: Chairman
  3. 2nd Place State FFA Employment Skills Career Development Event
  4. Awarded the State FFA Degree(March 2019)
  5. SCOPE Delegate(2 years – representing DC for the Tennessee School Board Association)
  6. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Delegate(Representing the Newbern Rotary)
  7. Girls State Delegate- elected to the Senate and Party Delegate positions
  8. Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference Delegate
  9. DCHS Most Likely to Succeed(2019), DCHS Student Spotlight(September 2018), and DCHS Student of the Month(August 2019)
  10. FFA Washington Youth Leadership Conference Delegate(2017)

Extracurricular Organizations/Activities:

  1. West Tennessee FFA Regional President
  2. Dyer County FFA President(Junior Year Vice-President for State and National Affairs; Member all 4 years)
  3. Class Officer(Senior and Junior Vice-President & Sophomore and Freshman Class President)
  4. Student Council Vice-President(Member all 4 years)
  5. National Honors Society President(Member for 3 years)
  6. Voice of the Choctaws(morning announcements; 2 1/2 years)
  7. Dyer County High School Football Cheerleader(leadership team member all 4 years, Academic Excellence Award, AAA Award, Leadership Award, and Best Showmanship)
  8. Dyer County High School Tennis Team(3 years)
  9. WESTAR Panel Member(2 years)
  10. Dyer County Youth Leadership and School Leadership(Speaker for Dyer County Youth Leadership Graduation)

Community/Church Participation:

  1. Dyersburg Cumberland Presbyterian Church Youth Group
  2. Dyersburg CP Adult Chancel Choir and Youth Choir Member and Soloist
  3. Cumberland Presbyterian Youth Conference Main Stage Soloist(2017, 2018, & 2019)
  4. Youth Ministry Planning Council Member, West Tennessee Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
  5. Junior American Legion Auxiliary Member, Newbern Chapter
  6. FFA Volunteer for Ag Day, Burchfield Farm Ag Day Event for all 4 years
  7. Guest Speaker on Youth Perspective of Housing & Development in Dyer County 2017, Kiwanis Club of Dyersburg
  8. Guest Speaker for Newbern Rotary Club(December 2018 & September 2019)
  9. Backstage manager for Fifth Consolidated Elementary School Spring Play 2017
  10. CTE Directors DCHS School Visit Greenhouse and Aquaponics Laboratory Tour Guide and Creed Speaking Presentation 2017 & 2018

Future plans:

My goal of working in Sustainable Agriculture has morphed into a dream to become an environmental scientist. I want to work in government regulation in the field of hydrology–water. To accomplish my dream, I plan to attend the University of Central Arkansas and major in environmental science next fall. I will also be pursuing a minor in military science through Army ROTC. Serving my country as a fifth generation soldier will give me an opportunity to carry on a legacy and live out my values.