Gatewood’s 2022 valedictorian and salutatorian reflect on their high school experience.
Taylor Bankston is the valedictorian of the 2022 Gatewood graduating class. Bankston was highly involved in extracurriculars during her high school years including Anchor Club, soccer during her freshman and sophomore years, working after school at Huskins Law Firm and working the Life Source Food Distribution drives. She also took dual enrollment classes through Central Georgia Technical College.
After graduation, Bankston plans to attend the University of Georgia for early summer classes. She will be pursuing a major in anthropology and has not yet decided on a minor.
“I am in love with history and the Earth. I want to learn more about everything behind our present,” said Bankston. “I love history so much that it’s the way I see going forward so I chose anthropology.”
Bankston expressed that she is excited for a new chapter but is also very sad to leave behind the people she has known for 16 years.
“To my graduating class I would like to say, keep moving forward. Don’t let being sad stop you from all the change that is to come,” said Bankston. “Know that I’m thankful to all my friends for inspiring me and helping me be more confident.”
Bankston expressed that she owes her success to her friends, her grandmother and a handful of teachers. These people contributed greatly to her love of learning and her love of history.
“My friends gave me confidence. My grandmother helped me through every bump in the road and helped nurture my love for knowledge,” said Bankston. “Coach VanDusen and Coach Josh helped me to love history and Mrs. Moss helped me to love learning.”
Bankston stated that her favorite memories throughout her high school years all reflect the fun she has had with her friends and the field trips they have taken over the years together.
“Going on trips and just having fun is all I remember. So many stories come to mind but the core of it is that I just enjoy all the memories we made despite having such a strange four years,” said Bankston.
Bankston expressed that attending high school during COVID made her experience very strange and that online learning was tough. She was thankful that school could return in-person and that she could finish out her high school experience normally.
“Thank you Gatewood for helping me realize what I wanted to do and for piquing my interest into knowledge and history,” said Bankston. “I’m excited for my future but I do have to sadly say goodbye.”
Jazmine Vargas is the salutatorian of the 2022 Gatewood graduating class. Vargas has attended Gatewood since K-4 and was involved in Anchor Club all four years of highschool. She played soccer during her freshman and sophomore years but did not return after COVID occurred. Vargas has made several achievements throughout her highschool years including winning first place in region for a personal essay she wrote and second place in state for her essay. She also won first place in the regional spelling bee this year.
“I’m proud of getting through high school, honestly, in all aspects, academically, socially and personally,” said Vargas. “I’m just proud of all that I achieved and all I learned about myself.”
Vargas plans to attend Loyola University of Chicago but has not yet decided her major. Vargas decided to go to school in Chicago because her parents are originally from the city. She expressed that she has always been close to Chicago in her heart and has grown accustomed to visiting it over the years.
“I think it’s perfect for me to go there at this point in my life,” said Vargas. “It’s a crazy difference from a small town but I’m excited for it and I’m welcoming this change.”
Vargas credits herself for being the motivation to work so hard in school and graduate. Only one’s self knows their own desires and hardships to be able to overcome them.
“I just feel like I’ve always driven myself,” said Vargas. “I’ve always been my main motivator and support through schoolwork and hardships.”
Vargas looks back on her four years of high school with gratitude and happiness. She expressed that her favorite memory was from this last year and having a kindergartner buddy.
“We would see them at least once a week and we would keep up with them throughout the year,” said Vargas. “I would like to believe that I had a good impact on both of my buddies.”
Vargas thanks her graduating class for helping her create everlasting memories and her school for being a home to her for so many years.
“I would like to say thank you for giving me the education that I got,” said Vargas. “I have a lot of memories that I will never forget and that is the most impactful and everlasting contribution that can be made from my class or the school.”