Meet the valedictorian, salutatorian of Mt. Juliet's Green Hill High's first 4-year class
Green Hill graduated its first senior class of student who could attend all four years at the Wilson County high school, which opened in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Valedictorian Abigail McMillon described the "continued resilience" of the first four-year graduating class, which has "truly shown how to succeed in the face of adversity and built the hill." Green Hill graduated 442 students in the 2024 class.
We asked Abigail and salutatorian Samantha Osborne several questions about their personal journeys and what's next.
Valedictorian
Abigail McMillon
College and/or career plans: To attend the University of Arizona in the fall to study astrophysics.
What motivates you to excel in the classroom? "I have been lucky enough to have classmates and friends who are all successful and very encouraging. This motivates me to excel in the classroom and cheer them on as well, not to mention my own drive to try and excel in all the things I put my mind to."
Who made you better as a high school student and person? "My parents, first and foremost, have made me a better high school student and person. They have encouraged me in all my endeavors, and they have supported me and taught me life lessons throughout my journey. My friends whom I have met throughout school, my teachers, Mr. Jacob Wheeler and Mrs. Melissa Prince, and my counselor, Mrs. Rachel Brooks have also made me a better person."
What is your favorite way to get away from the grind? "I love to relax away from school and the many extracurriculars with a good book. I also enjoy spending time with friends and listening to music."
Favorite restaurant, musical artist, TV show? Maggiano's Little Italy, Hozier and "Friends."
Salutatorian
Samantha Osborne
College and/or career plans: To attend the Rochester Institute of Technology for game design and development.
What motivates you to excel in the classroom? "My friends motivate me the most. While we joke around most of the time, every time I’ve (needed) a moment of 'you got this' or a 'you’ve done this before' one of my friends next to me is happy to offer. They definitely have motivated me the most among the years and I really appreciate them for that."
Who made you better as a high school student and person? "Easily Rachel Thompson is one person who made me better in high school and out. I can’t tell you how many lunches me and my friends spent in her classroom or the funniest moments there. But the things I learned from her in seminar and just about life are incredible. I truly appreciate everything she has done for me and my friends during high school."
What is your favorite way to get away from the grind? "Playing Helldivers 2 or Sea of Thieves. If I’m not doing school work I’m playing video games."
Favorite restaurant, musical artist and TV show? "Favorite restaurant is easily Chikuyo Tei. My favorite music artist is NF. And favorite TV show has to be 'Ninjago.'"
Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Green Hill High's valedictorian, salutatorian for 2024 class
