Another school year has come and gone, and students from two local high schools, St. Aloysius High School and Porter’s Chapel Academy, will graduate today. Next week, students from Vicksburg High School and Warren Central High School will do the same.

The classes graduating this weekend have already named their valedictorians and salutatorians, and we asked them what they thought it took to be a good student. We liked their responses so much, we thought we would compile them and share them with you here.

St. Al valedictorian Martin said she would encourage other students to try to be the best they can be without worrying so much about ranking or competing against others.

“You may be at the very bottom, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work hard and improve yourself,” she said. “You have to know your self worth, and that’s not just about grades. You do have to know why you’re getting your education, so you will have something to push you.”

St. Al salutatorian Katelyn Brock said excelling academically has taken several different factors.

“There’s been lots of studying, staying focused on my goals and a lot of determination,” she said.

PCA valedictorian DiMaya Randle said studying is key to being a good student.

“I’m a person that studies constantly,” she said. “I find when you study, you have a better outcome: study and work hard.”

PCA salutatorian Lyndsey Morgan attributed her success to paying attention in class.

“I find that if I listen in class, I learn better,” she said. “If I don’t listen in class and I don’t hear it come out of the teacher’s mouth, I’m not going to comprehend it.”

There you have it, straight from the source. If students want to do well and succeed academically, we suggest they take some advice from those who have gone before them and have been successful.

But always remember, grades don’t necessarily equal success. Be the best you can be, and everything else will fall into place.