Avinger High School Names Valedictorian and Salutatorian for Class of 2016

By: J. Leslie Riseden

Special Contributor to the Steel Country Bee

Aleshia Fort and Paige Hitt have attended Avinger School together since kindergarten. For thirteen years, these two seniors have enjoyed a friendly competition that has -- at times -- served to spur each other on to excellence. That friendly competition has landed them at the top of their graduating class of 2016.

Valedictorian Aleshia Fort describes herself as "shy" and "patient." (Paige adds "She is so giving, and always incudes everybody in everything.") Aleshia has been active in Student Council, cheer leading, basketball and track, and has been a member of the National Honor Society since she was a freshman. She has won awards in Citizenship, Algebra and History, and placed in the District UIL Literary Criticism. Earlier this year, she received a Youth Service Award from the Avinger Chamber of Commerce. In the fall, Aleshia plans to attend Northeast Texas Community College, then hopes to continue her education at Texas A&M-Commerce.

Paige Hitt, 2016 Salutatorian, is described by Aleshia as “animated” and “kind.” Paige characterizes herself as dramatic and "easily excited when I'm passionate about something." It comes as no surprise, then, that Paige has won an award in the UIL One Act Play competition, and is an accomplished artist. History is Paige's favorite subject, and she particularly enjoys reading about the history that "the teachers leave out." Paige is a dedicated community volunteer, active in projects within her neighborhood as well as with the Avinger Volunteer Fire Department and the Avinger Area Chamber of Commerce, which presented her with a Youth Service Award earlier this year. Paige plans to attend Texas A&M in the fall.

It seems only fitting that these two seniors are graduating first and second in their class, separated by only hundredths of a point. They are complementary sides of a coin that exemplifies academic achievement and community service.