MBHS graduation speakers ready for the next step
Sarah Grace Tucker
GPA: 4.6
Activities: Interact Service Club, Relay for Life, Lacrosse and Choir
What do you remember most about freshman year?
My film production class. We had a blast in that
What will walking across that stage mean to you?
It’s going to be so emotional… I’m so excited to graduate with the people I’ve been friends with my whole life and be all together one last time to start this new chapter in our lives
Song that defines/represents your high school career?
How Far We’ve Come – Matchbox 20
Who was your most inspirational teacher? Why?
Ms. Burns, my AP Calculus teacher. She knows what her students are capable of and pushes them until they reach that potential… No one wants to disappoint Ms. Burns!
What’s the study secret to your success?
Using acronyms and rhymes or stories to help memorize stuff! I have so many random acronyms from years ago that I can still remember.
When you’re 50 and you look back at yourself as a teenager, what characteristic will you remember most?
My dedication… sometimes to the point of absolute stubbornness! I like to follow everything I do through to the end.
What did you recently learn from someone younger than you?
I learn new things from my little sister all the time!
What can aspiring grads learn from you?
If you work hard enough, you can fool anyone into thinking you’re smart.
Have you chosen a college yet? Where do you want to go?
Either Vanderbilt or Princeton University
What are your college and career aspirations?
I plan to study chemical engineering. I want to do some kind of medical research in college and potentially as career
What one thing on your college application helps you stand out?
I think my essays were unique and really showed my voice and personality. And, well, two perfect test scores didn’t hurt…
What's your favorite quote?
“Why you? Why us for that matter? Why anything? Because the moment simply is.” - Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnagut
If you were going to be locked in a windowless room for one month, but could bring one movie to watch and one book to read, what would they be?
My book would be something by John Green… Maybe The Fault In Our Stars!
What one object can you not live without?
Coffee.
If you could go back in time, what year would you visit? Why? Really?
The 1920’s because everyone seemed to be having fun then. And I’d want to be a flapper.
If the U.S. revoked your citizenship, where would you start your new life? Why?
Somewhere warm and tropical… The Bahamas maybe!
If you were given $1,000,000 and forced to spend it in a day, what would you buy?
Shoes. Lots and lots of them.
Dogs or cats?
Dogs
Miller Sisson
GPA: 4.52
Activities: Varsity baseball, Varsity football, Key Club and Spanish club.
What’s do you remember most about freshman year?
Deciding to play football and loving every minute of it.
What will walking across that stage mean to you?
Walking across the stage is going to be an incredible reward for an enormous amount of work and dedication.
Song that defines/represents your high school career?
“Voices” by Chris Young
Who was your most inspirational teacher? Why?
Ms. Burns, because she showed that she genuinely cared about each of her students while teaching us to never become satisfied with our work.
What’s the study secret to your success?
Time management. Learning how to find time to balance school and sports was crucial to me being able to handle all of my responsibilities.
When you’re 50 and you look back at yourself as a teenager, what characteristic will you remember most?
I will probably remember my competitiveness. Everything, including grades and sports, is a competition for me.
What did you recently learn from someone younger than you?
My 13-year-old brother constantly reminds me how to enjoy each moment in life no matter the circumstances.
What can aspiring grads learn from you?
I don’t want to sound cliché, but don’t take any of senior year for granted. It flies by and you don’t want to miss any of it by wishing it away.
Have you chosen a college yet? Where do you want to go?
I am currently deciding between Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia.
What are your college and career aspirations?
I want to major in biomedical engineering and then go to medical school. I think being an orthopedic surgeon would be really interesting.
What one thing on your college application helps you stand out?
I have been on two mission trips to Panamá and am planning on going back this summer.
What's your favorite quote?
Never let the fear of striking out get in the way.” -Babe Ruth
or
"Today is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is very important. Leaving something in its place I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, not loss, good not evil, success not failure, in order that I should not forget the price I paid for it."-Bear Bryant carried this quote in his wallet
What was your favorite Saturday morning cartoon growing up?
I still love Spongebob Squarepants.
If you were going to be locked in a windowless room for one month, but could bring one movie to watch and one book to read, what would they be?
Movie: Sandlot Book: The Bible
What one object can you not live without?
My pillow. It’s really, really comfortable.
If you could go back in time, what year would you visit? Why?
1982 to see Bear Bryant coach his last season at the University of Alabama.
If the U.S. revoked your citizenship, where would you start your new life? Why?
I would move to Panamá because I love the people and culture there.
If you were given $1,000,000 and forced to spend it in a day, what would you buy?
Tickets behind home plate to a baseball game at every single major league ballpark and an airplane
Dogs or cats?
Dogs
Jeff Rogers
GPA: 4.3
Activities: Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Track and Field, Debate Team, Policy Debate, Public Forum Debate, Congressional Debate, YMCA Youth in Government, Mountain Brook Delegations and 2012-2013 Speaker of the House.
What’s do you remember most about freshman year?
My English as History classes in 9th grade were probably the first two classes I had that allowed intellectual freedom in a structured course. Accordingly, those two classes were the first to force me to determine my own learning methods and make my education my own responsibility. Thank you, Mr. McCain and Mr. Hnizdil.
What will walking across that stage mean to you?
Graduation symbolizes to me the end of the beginning of my life. The fulcrum between 18 years of preparation and a lifetime of application.
Song that defines/represents your high school career?
“Revolution” by The Beatles.
Who was your most inspirational teacher? Why?
Ms. Burns, AP Calculus. As I have gone through the class, I’ve recognized that she is truly a master craftswoman of teaching. She exhibits a powerful love of her career, and the dedication she puts in to teaching us motivates her students, most of whom are ready to be done with high school math, to finish our high school careers strong.
What’s the study secret to your success?
I’ve been lucky enough to have teachers who have provided me with the resources needed to comprehend the course material. Utilizing those resources to their full extent, no matter how boring it may be, allowed me to understand the basics of my subjects and then apply those basics to the more difficult material.
When you’re 50 and you look back at yourself as a teenager, what characteristic will you remember most?
A curiosity towards the beliefs and opinions of others. A disposition to be a listener rather than a talker.
What did you recently learn from someone younger than you?
The importance of patience.
What can aspiring grads learn from you?
Good question, and one I’ve asked myself many times in reflection over what to say at graduation. Perhaps it is that before we try to change the world to our own ends, we must understand as much as possible about it.
Have you chosen a college yet? Where do you want to go?
I haven’t chosen yet, but I’m deciding between Alabama, Virginia, and Wake Forest.
What are your college and career aspirations?
I plan to major in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, and then possibly pursue a post-graduate degree. Ultimately, I hope to either work in the field to develop technologies to combat climate change, my current interests are mineral sequestration of carbon dioxide or alternative fuel development, or become a science teacher or professor. However, I consider these plans to be written in sand, not stone.
What one thing on your college application helps you stand out?
A diverse but focused set of interests, a collection of extra-curriculars that point towards politics but with a scientific bent.
What's your favorite quote?
“If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide.” Abraham Lincoln.
What was your favorite Saturday morning cartoon growing up?
“Fillmore.” Think “Law and Order,” but substitute middle school hall monitors for detectives.
If you were going to be locked in a windowless room for one month, but could bring one movie to watch and one book to read, what would they be?
The book would be Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
What one object can you not live without?
Shoe-trees.
If you could go back in time, what year would you visit? Why?
I would go back to 1871 Germany. This year marks the first time Germany unified as one nation, and I would hope to alter the course of events that led to World War I. But only if I was a noble with the chance to advise Wilhelm II against his military buildup. If not, I’d go back to 1964 to witness Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
If the U.S. revoked your citizenship, where would you start your new life? Why?
Australia, in hopes that I might gain an awesome accent and learn how to surf.
If you were given $1,000,000 and forced to spend it in a day, what would you buy?
A bunch of clothes and records, a car, and the rest of my parents’ mortgages. And one of those customizable Coke machines.
Dogs or cats?
Dogs (schnauzers)