Top Florence High School students thankful for their family roots

she “always prioritized academics in life.”

The senior thanked her parents for supporting her throughout her high school career.

“They have been very supportive in everything I do,” she said.

Luensmann said she is especially thankful for her GHS English AP teacher Johna Underwood.

“She always pushed her students, made me appreciate education and offered some great insight,” she said. Her ultimate goal, she said, is to become a corporate attorney.

For GHS freshmen seeking to become valedictorian or salutatorian one day, Luensmann offered the following advice.

BY eMIlY hIlleY-sIeRzchulA HERALD CORRESPONDENT

Florence High School’s top academic achievers might be heading in different directions — one is destined to be an Aggie, the other, a Longhorn — but both are thankful for their family roots that steered them in the right direction.

The valedictorian for the Class of 2022 is Abigail Brown. She will be attending Texas A&M University, where she will be part of the College of Nursing.

Luke Harris is the salutatorian. He will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study pharmacology.

Both Brown and Harris also are athletes. Valedictorian Abigail Brown is a competitive person, whether in a classroom or on a court.

said. “It basically took away half of our sophomore year.”

Folks can look forward to seeing salutatorian Luke Harris behind the counter at a pharmacy someday.

“My mom is a pharmacist at H-E-B and that’s what I want to do,” he said. “I love her drive and her character. She shaped me into the person I am and she’s my main role model. She’s always pushed me my whole life, and my dad has encouraged me in sports.”

Harris said he likes football and weightlifting and he’ll continue to pump iron while at UT.

“Another of my main hobbies is playing video games, I’ll admit,” he said. “I love hanging out with friends.”

Harris is thankful for the lessons that his mom and dad have instilled in him.

Gatesville High School salutatorian Hailey Luensmann, 18, daughter of Brian and Kandi Luensmann, said she looks forward to studying business next year at Texas A&M University in College Station.

Luensmann said she was excited to be named salutatorian seeing as

“Just keep going, keep striving,” she said. “There are times when everything piles up and seems like its so much, but it will be worth it in the end. Keep your head up and keep going.” ldodd@kdhnews.com