Graduating with only four other students is a different experience than what most teenagers get, but it has no bearing on the type of education Woodlawn Prep’s students receive. Salutatorian Alonnah Patterson is a testament to that as her intelligence, poise and confidence stands out in every conversation.
As a member of Woodlawn Prep’s second-ever graduating class, Patterson views what the students are currently doing as making history, and she’s now a part of that history.
“It’s honestly an honor to be the salutatorian, and I’m so proud of Asa for getting valedictorian,” she said.
While she never actually sought out to be the valedictorian or salutatorian, Patterson said it has always been important to her to do well in school and get A’s, and earning salutatorian is the reward that came with it. She was excited, though, and actually a little bit nervous.
“To be honest, it was the furthest thing from my mind because I’ve been so busy with graduation prep and college prep, so when (Principal Darin Tubb) called me and told me, I was really excited,” Patterson said.
Patterson will be attending Mississippi College but is unsure what her major is going to be, which she believes is part of the fun of college because she will get to experiment in a bunch of different areas. She has considered going into the medical field because her mom is a nurse practitioner, but she said she is also open to teaching, art or anything else that may grab her attention.
“I want to try it all and just see what I’m good at it,” she said. “I don’t want to miss an opportunity. I want to take every opportunity I can, make every memory and just enjoy life. I want to be able to do what I want to do, go places and live every expectation I have as I go.”
While she initially had her sights set on attending Pearl River Community College, she got to sit in on a science class at Mississippi College and really like the teacher, felt a connection to the school and thought it would be helpful to her to be an environment like that.
Patterson thanked her biggest supporters — her parents, Allison and Danny, and her sister, Alandra — and her teachers because they helped her understand the material in ways that will allow her to remember what she’s learned.
Patterson shot archery during her freshman and sophomore years, but when Woodlawn added girls basketball, she joined the history-making squad for her final two years of high school. Playing with the Lady Wolfpack created her favorite memories throughout her prep years, and she said the program has helped bring the whole school together.
Beyond the small class sizes, there are a few things that make Woodlawn unique as a school that Patterson really enjoyed. As most every teenager would, she really liked not having school on Fridays. She also loved the freedom students are afforded to move freely throughout the school, and she said she loved not feeling like she was confined to one classroom.
“It made me feel independent,” she said.
Patterson encourages younger students to make the most of the here and now and enjoy the little things as they go through high school.
“Good grades and focusing on school is important, but don’t forget to enjoy time with your friends because it goes by really fast. You look back and these are some of your closer friends,” she said. “It’s simple, but it really carries a lot (of weight).”
While Patterson initially had some trepidation about having to give a salutatorian speech because she used to not like talking in front of a large group of people, she said over the years she has overcome that and is actually excited to be able to share her thoughts at graduation.
Woodlawn Prep’s second-ever graduation will be May 18 at 7 p.m.
