Published: May 07, 2008 09:12 pm            

Fairview senior named area student of the year

By David Lazenby

davidl@cullmantimes

Despite the extra burden of maintaining a part-time job as a grocery store cashier, Kortni Hadley, a Fairview High School senior, garnered the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce’s Student of the Year Award Thursday.

Hadley, who has a 4.18 grade point average, was presented with the prize at the Fourth Annual Student & Teacher of the Year Awards and Adopt-A-School Luncheon. The 17-year-old valedictorian was selected from the area’s top crop of academic achievers.

Other nominees for the award, and their schools, included:

* Koral Myrex, Cold Springs High School

* Benjamin Carlton Gomez Cullman High School

* David J. Cosper; Good Hope High School,

* Kalif Rashad Green; Hanceville High School,

* Joel Ferrell, Holly Pond High School

* Jordan Rae Burt, St. Bernard Prep. School

* Morgan Ashley Stewart, Vinemont High School

* Crystal Dutton, West Point High School

Each student nominee was presented with a plaque sponsored by Wachovia Bank and a savings bond in recognition of their academic accomplishments. Borden Family Pharmacy also gave each student a personalized gift.

In addition to being the area’s student of the year, Hadley is a National Merit Scholar Finalist.

Hadley, who works at Warehouse Discount Grocery in Arab, said she normally works between 15-30 hours each week. However, that didn’t deter her from winning more than $407,000 in academic scholarships.

This fall, Hadley will begin attending Birmingham Southern College, which offered her more than $116,000 in scholarship funds to attend the university.

The University of Alabama and Auburn University also vied for Hadley, who plans to study history while going through the school pre-medical program.

“Her scholarship offers have been just outstanding,” said Ginger Hogeland, a spokesperson for the Cullman County Board of Education. “ She’s done a superb job this year.”

One day Hadley hopes to earn her M.D. and PhD in genetics.

Hadley said she has always done well in her classes. However, she admits she sometimes needs a little push from her parents.

“I’m really a procrastinator to tell you the truth,” said Hadley who added her father, Scott Hadley, mother Audra Giley, and stepfather, Tim Giley, guide her in getting good grades.

Hadley said the subject that gives her the most trouble is English. “I like the literature part — I just hate doing the grammar,” she said. The difficulty she has with the topic, she said, stems from a lack of interest in the subject.

Although English is not her favorite topic, Hadley said FHS English teacher Vicky Kelley has made a difference in her life.

Hadley said its the little things — tidbits of wisdom Kelley shares — that make her an exceptional educator.

“I think she doesn’t really think about it, but the students think about it,” Hadley said.

Hadley, the older sister of Mikayla, 14 Kynadi, 11, and Candace, 10, said in her freetime she likes doing the same things most teens her age enjoy.

“I get into the Myspace and Facebook thing like everybody else,” she said.

Although she said she has been ready to be done with high school since her freshman year, Hadley said the graduation ceremony will probably be an emotional moment.

“Yes, I’m probably going to cry,” she said.

        

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