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Parry McCluer High School’s mascot, “Fighting Blues,” has never been more fitting for a graduating class than that of 2023. Working through an untraditional scholastic experience, these Blues fought hard to make the most of their high school careers.
After just two years of high school, Baylee Slagle is graduating early as the salutatorian of her class. Slagle, who graduated with a 4.2 GPA, will be continuing her academic career by co-enrolling at Old Dominion University and Mountain Gateway Community College, Slagle told The News-Gazette. While attending college, she hopes to enter the ADN and BSN programs at both institutions to obtain her associate degree in nursing and bachelor of science in nursing.
Although Covid created many challenges for students, Slagle did not let those hardships deter from her schoolwork. “I actually thrived during the pandemic, [and] I wouldn’t be where I am if I hadn’t had the time away from my peers to learn my options with my education so I’m actually grateful for it,” she said.
Slagle’s high school career may have been short, but she made the most of her two years by participating in band, softball, and basketball. Some of her favorite memories are from summer school physical education courses. “I really enjoyed spending time at the pool with my friends and talking about our futures as well as going to the bowling alley and taking a bunch of goofy Polaroid photos with everyone,” Slagle remembered.
Throughout her 11 years of attending Buena Vista City Schools, Slagle picked up a few words of advice along the way. “My only reflection, more so advice, is to never let a teacher, friend, family member, or your own mind dictate what you can and cannot do.” - Similarly to Slagle, David Lawhorne overcame challenges presented by the pandemic and is graduating from high school as the valedictorian of the PMHS class of 2023.
Completing high school with a 4.23 GPA, Lawhorne is headed to James Madison University with a full-ride scholarship, which he obtained through the Centennial Scholars Program. Lawhorne will be studying nursing while attending JMU.
Lawhorne has some prior experience with working with patients as he completed an internship at Project Horizon, and later worked there full-time.
Aside from his work at Project Horizon, Lawhorne was involved with numerous extracurricular activities at the school. He served on the Student Council Association, volunteered with National Honor Society, and ran track and cross-country. One of Lawhorne’s favorite high school memories was participating in the cross-country state competition, which the PMHS team won his sophomore year, he said.
Lawhorne has had many high moments within his school career, but also some lows with hardships posed by a global pandemic.
“The most challenging part of attending high school during the pandemic was being isolated and separated from my friends. We eventually came back, but nothing has quite been the same since,” Lawhorne said.
Depsite the circumstances, Lawhorne knew he had support from the Buena Vista community. He said, “Overall, I would say we’ve all had a very unique high school experience. The community that surrounds Parry McCluer is very special and treats everyone like family, and I’m very glad that I joined Buena Vista schools.”
