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Belgreen's Wood eager to make a difference

Over the course of her academic and athletic career at Belgreen High School, Brianna Wood has accomplished many things, but perhaps the most prestigious of her achievements is earning the title of class valedictorian.

“It means a lot to me,” said Wood. “I get to represent the entire graduating class, and so the better I do the better it reflects on them and on my school.”

Wood, who will graduate with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, said becoming valedictorian has always been a goal of hers.

“Since I got into high school, it was always something I’ve strived for,” she said.

As a high school student, it is difficult to be any more involved than Wood was during her time at Belgreen. She participated in many school clubs, community service projects and extracurricular activities.

Along with her involvement in groups like the History Club, Yearbook Staff, Student Council, Beautification Club, Scholars Bowl, and the Envirothon Team, Wood served as the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) secretary and president of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).

Wood also represented the Bulldogs on the hardwood, playing four years for the girls’ basketball team and played on the volleyball team her junior and senior years. She was also a member of the track team and softball team during her time at Belgreen.

Wood says being a part of the Lady Bulldogs basketball team is one of the things she will miss the most after graduation.

“I’ll miss playing basketball and I’ll really miss being with the girls in the locker room,” she said. “We always had a lot of fun.”

As many events and organizations she was involved in at school, her record serving the community is just as long. Wood participated in Fall Festivals, the Springtime Pageant, March of Dimes, Adopt-a-Family, Adopt-a-Angel, the Shoe Box Ministry and the Can-a-thon program, and she devoted much of her time to service opportunities in her church, as well.

“I started helping out with projects at church in sixth or seventh grade, and a lot of the other stuff I do started then, too,” Wood said. “If you get involved in the community, you’re giving back to it and it gives back to you. That’s why I think it’s important.”

Of the many service activities she is involved in, helping out with the kids at her church is her favorite thing to do, she said.

After Wood receives her diploma, her next step is college. She will attend the University of North Alabama in the fall and major in chemistry. After completing the required coursework at UNA, Wood says she plans to apply for pharmacy school at Auburn University.

Wood says she became interested in pharmacy after her father got sick. Brian “Woody” Wood passed away in April after a battle with cancer.

Much like she did in her high school career, she wants to spend her professional career making an impact on others.

“I believe it’s a way to help people and give back to the community,” she said. “The paycheck is not half bad either.”

Wood will be attending UNA on a Valedictorian Scholarship and Vanguard Scholarship. She also received the Franklin County Electric Cooperative Scholarship and the College Counts Scholarship.

Belgreen High School’s graduation is Thursday, May 25.

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