Being a valedictorian requires more than just making the highest grades in your class.

It means having the ability to balance extracurricular activities with an academic classload.

Vicksburg High School’s 2019 valedictorian, Keanna Abraham, proves doing all of that hard work is possible.

For years, Abraham worked to secure the title of valedictorian and was also heavily involved in her community.

“This past season I was involved in many clubs,” Abraham said. “I was the captain of my Gator Girl team this past semester.

“I’m the president over the National Honor Society, the historian for the National Technical Honor Society, the president of Mu Alpha Theta, vice president of the student body and I’m a member of the Student Ambassadors club at my school and the CTE program,” she said, “So I’m involved in a lot of things.”

Though she was very active in her school community, Abraham had challenges just like any other student.

“One of my biggest struggles during my high school career was balancing and managing my time, because I was involved in so much,” she said. “Keeping my grades up, being a Gator Girl and being in the classroom made me realize that I had to balance my time.”

As her time as a high school student comes to an end, Abraham has some words of wisdom for those securing their high school diplomas in the future.

“Just do your work as soon as you get it so that you will be able to have a life outside of school,” she said. “You want to get your work done, go ahead and do it and don’t wait until the last minute. Personally, I had to learn to stop procrastinating, and it has helped me tremendously.”

In the future, Abraham plans to attend Jackson State University and major in engineering. She has scholarships that will help her achieve her ultimate goal of pursuing a career in the engineering field.

 

Gabrielle Terrett is a correspondent for The Vicksburg Post.