From promising careers to fulfilling desires to help others, four seniors from Manchester Academy have impressive hopes and dreams as they embark on their next chapters following graduation. And although each one has a different direction planned, they all have some things in common. They are all looking towards a nurturing future in medical fields, and they all intend to build on those goals from the foundation established at the local academy.
“Attending Manchester Academy has been such a blessing to me in my life,” said Mattie Burton. “I feel like everyone around me supports me and wants me to succeed. I have always felt loved and cared for at my school.”
Burton, Angel Rae Carpenter, Katie Druey and Adam Edgar have all attended MA since they were young students, a few even more like babies. Carpenter joined the local academy in the fifth grade while the others began either in kindergarten or at daycare.
“Since birth,” added Edgar, the son of Matt and Carrie Edgar.
All four students have spent their time at MA being very involved in academics and athletics. And all four have found an effective way to balance their studies with a variety of sporting and volunteering efforts. The hard work has certainly paid off as each one leaves a lasting impression among their classmates and instructors.
Burton, the daughter of Nathan and Emily Burton, has served on the school’s cheer squad since eighth grade.
“I was the captain of my cheer squad during my senior year,” Burton said. “I was also named an NCA All-Star cheerleader my senior year. Throughout my time as a cheerleader, I have been recognized for leadership at camp by being named a Pin-It Forward recipient twice. I was also asked to try out for a staff position by the current NCA staff.”
Aside from cheering, Burton is very active with soccer, which she has played for the past four years.
Druey, the daughter of Jimmy and Sharon Druey, is also involved in the school’s cheerleading and soccer program. She served as co-captain of the cheer team during her freshman year and senior year. She was also nominated as an All-American Cheerleader for the past four years. She has won the Most Outstanding Cheerleader Award, Most Valuable Defensive Player in soccer, along with numerous academic awards.
Carpenter, the daughter of Josh and Kaley Carpenter, is involved with most every athletic program at the local academy. She is a member of the school’s basketball, soccer, tennis, cheer, softball and track teams.
“My most memorable moment at MA was winning the DII AA State Basketball Championship this year,” she added.
Edgar, who was raised in the Benton community, is also very active in MA athletics, earning a spot on the school’s football, basketball, baseball and track teams. Even when obstacles arrived for him, he never gave up and proved that determination and drive would overcome those challenges.
“I faced a tragic injury to my shoulder during football season and worked hard to return to athletics,” Edgar said. “But I was still able to participate in the MAIS football and basketball All-Star games.”
All four seniors are also very active in extracurricular activities within the community and school. Edgar is a member of the Interact Club and Impact Team. Carpenter is involved in the Beta Club, Interact Club, the Junior Auxiliary Crown Club, a Student-Body Representative and Senior Class President. Druey is a member of the JA Crown Club, the Beta Club, the Interact Club, a Senior Student Body Representative and serves as Vice President of her class. Burton is involved in the JA Crown Club, along with other volunteer efforts through that program.
But it is the students’ faith that shines the brightest for them. They are proud of their faith, eager to share the Message and encourage their underclassmen to rely on their own faith as they continue through high school.
Burton is a member of First Methodist Church.
“First Methodist has been a very large part of my life, where I have participated in children’s and youth activities multiple times a week,” she said. “I have also attended M28, a church camp at Lake Junaluska in North Carolina, every summer with my church since seventh grade, and look forward to it every year. My family, church family, and youth director have had a lasting effect on my spiritual growth that will follow me as an adult.”
Druey is a life-long member of Parkview Church of God, where she is very active in the youth group and worship programs.
After graduation, Carpenter plans to pursue her master’s degree in nursing to later become a Nurse Practitioner of Dermatology.
“Since I was a child, I enjoyed learning about the skin,” she said. “My Anatomy and Physiology teacher Mrs. (Kristin) Evans has inspired me to pursue healthcare.”
After graduation, Druey plans to attend Holmes Community College to continue her cheerleading career and cheer on the Bulldogs. She also plans to major in Pre-Dental Hygiene to become a dental hygienist, making people feel better through their smiles.
It’s onto Harvard for Edgar, where he intends to major in medicine.
“I want to pursue a medical degree because I want to cure the sick,” he said.
Burton plans to attend the University of Mississippi in the fall to major in Allied Health Sciences.
“I have future plans of attending nursing school and hope to one day become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist,” she added.
Each student has some impressive goals when it comes to their future careers. But they all agree the foundation was established by the MA teachers who impacted their lives inside and outside the classroom.
For Edgar, it was Debra Batton and Jason Miles.
Druey, Carpenter and Burton…their quick answer is Wendy Perry.
“The teacher who has impacted me the most is Mrs. Wendy Perry,” Druey said. “Mrs. Perry has been my teacher since the tenth grade and has taught me the importance of always looking towards God in times of struggle.”
Perry taught Carpenter the importance of accountability and a drive to push hard towards a goal.
“Because of these teachers (Evans and Perry), I am able to overcome many challenges and balance my academics and athletics well,” she said.
Evans and Peters are also two inspirational teachers for Burton.
“Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Perry have made the most impact in my life,” Burton said. “Mrs. Evans always listens to students and gives advice while also being a great teacher. Mrs. Perry taught me no matter how hard something is that if you put in effort, you will accomplish more than you give yourself credit for.”
It is the commitment of the instructors, the tight-knit atmosphere within the school and the proclamation of faith that make MA special to each of the students.
“I am so grateful to be a part of the MA family because of the strong bond that my class shares and being a part of the MA family means not being ashamed of your faith,” Carpenter said.
“MA is a tight-knit school that puts God first in every situation,” added Edgar.
And as the graduating class begins their next steps, their next journey, they do have some advice for their underclassmen.
My advice to underclassmen is be involved with as much as you can handle and talk to everybody,” Burton said.
“Keep God first and play every sport,” Edgar said.
“It’s always better to prepare than procrastinate,” added Druey.
“My advice that I would give underclassmen is to wake up every day with a positive attitude even when it is hard,” Carpenter said. “Also, students should stay involved in extracurriculars and encourage one another with the Word of God.”
