Graduating seniors reflect on high school experiences

As May 22 approaches, the next step awaits members of the Mountain Brook High School Class of 2014. But first, they will reflect on what led them to this point in life.

“Every class has a personality,” Principal Amanda Hood said. “This senior class’ personality set a very focused tone for our school, and for that I’ve been thankful … It is full of stellar individuals who love their school, really care about each other, and have a tremendous work ethic”

A few seniors have stood out among their peers due to their strong leadership and contributions to the school.

In addition to being in the top 5 percent of the class, Everette Dawkins is the co-president of Mountain Brook’s Key Club and works at local non-profit Alabama Forever. Recently, she was accepted to The University of Alabama’s Fellows program. 

Although she has a lot to look forward to in the future, she said she would miss the spirit of MBHS. 

“Mountain Brook [High School] is unique because everyone can do their own thing without feeling like they aren’t ‘cool enough’ to fit in, if that means working hard at school, being a good athlete or getting involved in choir or newspaper,” she said. 

SGA president Ben Jackson plans to major in either history or business. His experience in student government, he said, has strongly affected his perception of the Mountain Brook student body by allowing him to interact with leaders from other schools around the state.

 “[Our] student body is remarkably cohesive for a high school of its size,” he said. “What you find with Mountain Brook is that when you have an event, everyone’s together and of the same mindset.”

Jackson cited Relay for Life, blood drives, food drives and sporting events as a few of the ways that students can become involved in the community. 

Several weeks before graduation, the top 5 percent of the senior class votes among themselves to select three students to speak at graduation. This year, they elected Anne Peyton Baker, Frank Phillips and Daniel Bolus. 

Baker will attend Vanderbilt University next year and plans to major in biomedical engineering with a minor in Spanish. She was event director for this year’s Relay for Life and plays on the school softball team.

“My involvement with Relay for Life especially gave me an interest in helping people with terminal diseases, and I feel like biomedical engineering is a concrete way for me to do that,” she said.

Phillips will also be attending Vanderbilt University, and he plans to major in engineering. He is a member of the popular men’s a cappella group ABOG (A Bunch of Guys). Although engineering is known for being a tough major, Phillips said he is confident that MBHS has prepared him for college.

“If anything, I want to express how thankful I am to all of the people that have helped me,” he said about his upcoming speech.

After taking both AP Biology and AP Physics this year, Daniel Bolus has been inspired to pursue biomedical engineering in college. He serves as drum major in the MBHS marching band and is involved in Interact and the school newspaper, The Sword & Shield. 

“From my experience as a drum major, I have learned how supportive the Mountain Brook community is both within and outside of MBHS,” he said. “I would not have been able to accomplish anything without their support and passion, whether from band parents, fellow students, or anyone in the audience who watches and cheers for the band during halftime.”

Baker, Bolus and Phillips will speak at the graduation ceremony on May 22 in the Pete Hanna Center at Samford University.