Under the Friday night lights, you might recognize Vina High School Valedictorian MyliScott Barnett as a six-year member of the Red Devils' cheerleading squad.
Then again, you might also recognize Barnett as a member of the Vina High School Marching Band, where she played saxophone since the fourth grade.
Barnett's Friday night schedule could be confusing for a lesser mind. She would cheer in the first quarter, join the band in the second quarter and march during the halftime show, return to the sidelines to cheer in the third and finish the game with the band so she could play the school's alma mater.
The daughter of Mark and Deborah Barnett, MyliScott gave her all to Vina School, where she attended from kindergarten through her senior year. She was active in school athletics, honor societies and clubs. She took numerous dual enrollment courses through Northwest Shoals Community College. Barnett and was active in Northwest Shoals' Upward Bound Math and Science program.
And, by the way, she also excelled in academics and earned the title of Valedictorian for the Vina High School Class of 2025, fulfilling a goal she set for herself.
“Since seventh grade, I made sure I focused on studying, working and doing everything I could to earn all A's. It was just one of the goals I challenged myself with,” Barnett said. “And I didn't stop working until I felt I achieved it. When they announced (the Valedictorian), all those years of hard math classes and not thinking I'll make it through weren't there any longer. I got to achieve one of my lifetime goals and dreams and I'm honored to say I am the Class of 2025 Vina High School Valedictorian.”
Her resume is overflowing with academic honors and achievements, but Barnett is smart enough to know she would not have seen her high school goals come to fruition without the love and support of many other people.
She's what you might describe as a 'walking billboard' for Vina High School.
“I had nothing but an outstanding experience at Vina. Although we're one of the smallest graduating classes (20 students) from Vina, we built a tremendous bond among the teachers and students we all grew up with,” Barnett said. “Even though our school is small, it's been an honor and was amazing to attend. Because of that small size, we're genuinely a family.
“From our teachers to our principal, assistant principal and guidance counselor, everyone works tirelessly to make sure we know we are loved and they want the absolute best for each of us. I just love Vina with all my heart,” she added.
Barnett earned a Prestige Scholarship to the University of Alabama, where she will enroll in the fall. Her plan is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, followed by earning a doctorate and becoming a neonatologist, specializing in caring for premature babies and/or infants born with congenital disorders.
Barnett will attend church camp this summer, as she's done most of her life, at Camp Boothe in Green Pond, Al. After her week as a camper, Barnett will join the camp's support staff for the balance of the summer.
There's really no down side to a full-ride scholarship in Tuscaloosa, other than the distance from her home and close-knit family.
“I'm so excited for this new journey. But also a little nervous. All I've ever known is home and my family is small—my dad, mom, brother and me—and we're really close. Also, my Mamaw (Linda Pharr) is my absolute best friend,” Barnett said. “I've never lived more than 20 minutes from here, so this is a big step I'm struggling with. But one of the positive things is my mama works in Tuscaloosa during the week, so she's only a few minutes from campus and that gives me some peace of mind.
“Not seeing my mama and daddy—that bothers me, but it's not the worst thing. It will be hard at first not to wake up to those special people at Vina too and not walking into their offices every day,” she added.
Those special people at Vina include her cheer coaches Summer Barnes and Ashley Easterling, Sarah Jane Hattaway, her English teacher and her band director and music teacher Courtney Jones, who encouraged her to remain in cheer and band.
“Without them, I would not be in the position I am today. They helped me in so many ways and I'll never be able to thank them enough. When I look back 30 years from now, I'll still have them in my life and will be forever grateful for them,” Barnett said.
Barnett also credits Christy Wright, her Upward Bound academic advisor, for helping her with the ACT, study cards, providing tips on saving money and other valuable life lessons.
“She and the Upward Bound program is an amazing resource and it lifted a weight off my chest being part of it. I'm very grateful for Upward Bound and the endless opportunities they helped me receive,” Barnett said.
Barnett sees herself living in Birmingham or a larger city once her education is complete—not because she doesn't want to return home, but because that's where the most career opportunities in the medical field will be.
“That's where I see myself down the road, but I'm not just going to lean on my own plan. I'm willing to follow the Lord. If He directs me to go to Birmingham, or if He directs me to return to Franklin County, that's where I want to be. That's the path I'm following right now,” Barnett said.
