Years of hard work, perseverance and dedication have paid off for a group of Thomas County Central High School seniors. The highest academic honors for its 2017 graduating class have been named: valedictorian, salutatorian, and honor graduates.

Valedictorian is Hannah Dixon, salutatorian is Chandler Watson, and there are 46 honor graduates.

Looking back on her freshman year of high school, Hannah Dixon never imagined she would be named valedictorian of her class. But, she said “a lot of dedication and perseverance” paid off.

“Being named the valedictorian of my class is a recognition I hold to the highest standard of honor,” she said. “I had no idea the payoff of my hard work and determination would be as notable as this recognition.”

Even though Dixon feels school involvement, studying “relentlessly," working hard and paying close attention in class were important aspects of her becoming valedictorian, she believes there is more to it than just doing well in school.

“The key to achieving such a level of recognition comes from the rigidity of my own standards,” she said. “I set my personal expectations at the highest of levels and then aimed to reach a level beyond that. Moral support from my family and self-determination were, are, and will continue to be crucial components of my academic career.”

Chandler Watson is humbled by the honor of being named salutatorian. He calls it “a sweet justification and victory” after some of his most trying times.

“I'm proud to be labeled as salutatorian, but it's really the teachers I must thank,” Watson said. “All I did was what I was told to do: homework, study, classwork.”

He also gave a shout out to his Advanced Placement classes, where Watson said he “learned the most about how to study and apply what I learned.”

Watson feels there is no reason in doing something if 100 percent of his energy will not be put into it, which is how his hard work paid off in the end. This includes never being afraid to ask for help, never losing sight of his goals, and never taking anything for granted.

“If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right,” he said. “Applies to school, life, [and] home. The little details add up into the big picture.”

Honor graduate Ethan Hopper admits his largest struggle in maintaining a grade point average of 93 throughout high school was his procrastination.

“For me, it was mainly turning in work on time,” he said. “I’m a strong procrastinator and my main goal was turning all of my work in on time, which led me to completing this goal.”

Hopper balances school, a part-time job, playing in the school band, and playing baseball.

“So, all year round, I’m busy doing stuff and still have to make sure I do all my school work,” he said. “It was not easy, but it is a high achievement that I have worked hard for.”

TCCHS graduation will be held Saturday, May 20 in the school gymnasium.

Both Dixon and Watson encourage other students to realize their potential and shoot for the stars.

“The old saying ‘You can achieve anything you set your mind to’ is a cliché for a reason,” Dixon said. “The key to becoming an accomplished individual truly lies within yourself. You will never recognize your fullest potential without believing in yourself and shooting for the stars.”

Watson adds he aimed to give his all “every day, no matter what” and, at some point, “dedication yields results.”

“Shoot for the moon and you might hit the stars,” he said.