It takes a village. And Ella Colagross, the valedictorian of Russellville High School's graduating class of 2025, you can tell, really loves her village.
Although Colagross, the daughter of John and Brea Colagross, hasn't gone to Russellville City Schools for her entire school career—she transferred to Russellville from Muscle Shoals in the sixth grade—it seems the two have been a great fit for each other.
She has thrived at RHS, excelling in her academics, of course, but also taking leadership roles in a number of clubs and extracurricular activities such as the Technology Student Association, Future Business Leaders of America, Christian Students United, and student council. What she's gotten in return, besides a great education, is a sense of community that she cherishes.
"It takes a village of people to get where I am today, and I think that's something that Russellville does really well," Colagross said. "Homecoming is an example of this where everybody in the town comes today and is united as one, but I think the community and building a strong community is really important.
"Float building (during homecoming) every year is probably my favorite memory. We won every year but 11th grade year, but just the memories we made doing that and to just get that time to spend together bonding as a class, getting to grow closer to people that I'm not normally able to talk to, that made it my favorite week of the year," she added.
Colagross enjoyed the camaraderie on her journey to the top of her class, but it wasn't all fun and float building. She had to put in the work, as well. But that's another sense you get about Colagross: she enjoys a challenge.
"Being valedictorian, it's definitely a high honor. I didn't necessarily see myself there when I came here in the sixth grade, but I definitely had to work for it," she said with a smile. "I had to put in the work behind the scenes and study for hours just to be able to make the grades that I wanted to.
"After ninth grade I ordered my transcript and I was ranked first in my class, so I was like, 'Okay, this is something I can achieve.' Then, at the end of last year, I still held that ranking and I was like, 'Okay, just one more year. I can do it,'" she added. "This year was definitely the hardest because I took the hardest classes. I just had to work the hardest that I ever have.
"It took a lot of hard work, but I think that's the main thing that's been instilled in me. My parents have instilled that in me for forever. My favorite quote is 'Work hard in silence and let your success make the noise,' and I try to live by that every day. I know that if I'm working hard behind the scenes while no one's watching, studying at home or doing whatever, that's going to pay off in the end."
Some subjects like computer science, which her mom teaches at RHS, and English, Colagross’ favorite, did come a little easier, she said. When asked who her favorite teacher was, then, it was no small wonder it would be an English teacher and really no surprise at all when she said it was Susan DeArman, a longtime RHS staff member who recently announced her retirement.
"At the beginning of the year we gave our pins like the cheerleaders get I gave mine to her, but she's just been such an inspiration for me," Colagross said. "The amount of work that she puts in, you can tell she comes prepared for her lessons every day. She pushes us to our best, and she's definitely my favorite teacher."
Colagross' next challenge will be Troy University, where she plans to double major in dance and, well, something else.
"Either business or marketing or design—I haven't completely made up my mind on that yet," she said.
She said a big reason she picked Troy was for the same reason she enjoyed her time at RHS:
"When I chose Troy for college, it's because when I step on the campus, it just felt like home," Colagross said. "People were reaching out and just asking how I was. I really think I wanted to make sure I was going into a strong community with people I feel comfortable talking to and feel like I can make connections with, and that's something Russellville does really well."
After college, Colagross, who has participated in competitive dance for 14 years, aspires to open up her own dance studio or perhaps go into interior design or architecture.
Though she is leaving one school community for another, Colagross did have one piece of parting advice for the younger Russellville High School students following behind her.
"Embrace the moment," she said. "I can catch myself saying, 'I can't wait for this, I can't wait for that.' I really struggled sometimes to stay in the moment and be like, 'Okay, I'm here right now.'
"Enjoy what you're doing right now. It's a big thing because it's over before you know it, and it goes by in the blink of an eye," she added. "Enjoy where you're at at the moment and make as many memories as you can."
