The title of valedictorian is the highest academic achievement a student can accomplish in his or her high school career. After four years, it is the ultimate symbol of hard work and dedication in the classroom.
Only one individual in each graduating class can be named valedictorian. For Colbert Heights senior Caleb Huckaba, it is an honor he has never taken lightly.
“To me, it’s the highest honor I could ever earn in high school,” he said. “I’ve always tried to do my best at whatever I could do, so to be named valedictorian, like I said, it’s the highest honor. It gives me a sense of accomplishment that I did my very best during high school.”
Huckaba says he set the lofty goal of becoming valedictorian on his first day at Colbert Heights High School.
“It’s something that I’ve always strived for,” he said. “When I came here in eighth grade, I said that I wanted to be valedictorian and I wanted to be the best at everything I have the ability to do. I feel like it’s been a God-given blessing that I’ve been able to actually achieve that goal and all the other stuff I’ve been able to do in school.”
And he has been able to do a lot. Huckaba is president of Mu Alpha Theta and is a member of the National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). He also competed with the Scholars Bowl team, which was his favorite extracurricular that he was involved in.
“Scholars Bowl competitions are one of my better (memories) here,” he said. “I’ve won the science category ever since eighth grade, so I guess I’d have to say it has been one of my best experiences at Colbert Heights.”
Science was not only Huckaba’s favorite subject in Scholars Bowl competitions; it is his favorite in the classroom, as well. In fact, Huckaba enjoys science so much, he is going to try and make a career out of it.
In the fall, Huckaba will attend the University of North Alabama, where he will major in BLANK. His ultimate goal is to become a chemistry teacher.
“Chemistry is my favorite because everything in chemistry follows very basic rules and principles,” Huckaba said. “It just makes sense to me to do that.”
Originally, Huckaba considered following a path that would lead him to a career as a chemical engineer or a similar profession, but he changed his mind. Huckaba’s true ambition is to help others, and, according to him, teaching is the best way to make a difference.
“I really want to work with other people, and I felt like doing something like (chemical engineering) then I wouldn’t get the chance to do that,” he said. “By teaching I can interact with people and help them and actually have an impact on someone else’s life.”
Finances, proximity to home, and the university’s college of education were all factors that played into Huckaba’s decision to attend UNA.
“With the scholarships UNA has offered me, I’ve got over a full-ride.” said Huckaba, who scored a 30 on the ACT. “It’s also really nice to have a school well-known for it’s education program that’s close by like UNA.”
But before he joins the Lions, there is still one last step Huckaba must take. On Friday, May 26, Huckaba will graduate from Colbert Heights and receive his diploma. It will be the last of many memorable moments with his fellow Wildcats, whom he considers very close to him.
“Being a county school and being a small school, it has that family-type feel. I really like that and that’s a big reason why I like going to school here,” he said. “I feel like when I leave, I’ll really miss the people the most.”
