Erin Inman and Abbey Hester looked back on their high school years with slightly different perspectives as they spoke to their Twin Rivers High School classmates at Sunday’s commencement.
Inman, the TRHS valedictorian, compared her high school years to the assembling of a collage or a puzzle, while salutatorian Hester used analogies that touched on history and the pop group One Direction.
However, both have blazed a trail of success at TRHS and plan to continue to do so in the future.
Inman, the daughter of John and Sheila Inman, was president of FBLA and an officer in FCCLA, FCA, Beta and Student Council. She also played softball for the Royals.
All of the above led to many memories for Inman.
“The most meaningful experience was definitely just the friends I made while participating in these clubs,” Inman said.
Inman plan to attend Mizzou and obtain a bachelor’s degree in pre-health medicine, then go on to dental school and obtain a doctorate of dental surgery.
“I just want to make more smiles around me in my community,” Inman said. “A smile is the best way to brighten up anyone’s day.”
But now that graduation is in the books, Inman is ready for a bit of a break.
“I am most looking forward to having a little free time to relax and appreciate what I have,” Inman said. “I am also looking forward to meeting new people in my next adventure.”
Inman said she will miss learning the most from her TRHS years.
“I enjoyed learning new concepts and having goals to meet,” Inman said. “I always loved getting something new every day and just absorbing it all.”
As she heads to the next chapter of her life, Inman is thankful.
“I want to thank my parents, my whole family, my very best friends, all the best teachers I had, and the Good Lord above for helping me through,” Inman said. “I had a very good high school experience and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Hester is the daughter of Sherri Hester from Fisk and Jason Hester from Broseley. Throughout her high school years, she played softball and basketball while also being involved with FCCLA, Beta, Student Council, Stand for the Silent and serving as a class officer (she was class treasurer this year).
Abbey plans to attend Three Rivers College for two years, then transfer to Arkansas State University to get her doctorate in occupational therapy.
“I’m looking forward to starting a new chapter of my life, and seeing what my future holds,” Hester said. “(But) I will miss my classmates the most. They are seriously the best.”
Like Inman, Hester is thankful as she looks back and also looks to the future.
“I want to thank my family for always pushing me to be the best I can be,” Abbey said, “and my friends for always supporting me in all that I do.”