THOMASVILLE — As the end of the school year nears, Brookwood School celebrated Upper School students who have achieved the highest levels of academic success in Brookwood’s annual honors and awards day ceremony. 

Elise Christine McPherson is the valedictorian for the class of 2022, having earned the highest cumulative grade point average of her classmates in their four years of high school at Brookwood. McPherson will give the final speech in Brookwood’s graduation ceremony. 

David Grooms, the Upper School Director said, “Elise is one of the most thorough and dedicated students to attend Brookwood. She is always focused and constantly strives to do her very best. She has been a joy to teach.” 

The salutatorian for the class of 2022 is Kate Ashton Redrupp. Redrupp achieved the second-highest cumulative GPA among her classmates and will open the graduation ceremony by addressing her classmates, in keeping with Brookwood tradition. 

Grooms praised Redrupp for her insight. 

“She does a tremendous job of seeing connections between different topics and noting similarities and differences,” he said. “She will be an excellent student in college.” 

In addition to the valedictorians and salutatorians of this year’s class, Brookwood honors a number of other students who also had outstanding academic performance during their high school years. 

Summa Cum Laude graduates are students who have maintained at least a 4.0 grade point average for four years at Brookwood. Honorees in this year’s class include Collin Michael Clark, Abigail Elizabeth Craven, Elise Christine McPherson, Taylor Hill Middleton, Dana Emily Pollock, Sally Lauren Powell, Kate Ashton Redrupp, Jack Butler Saussy, Alexis Evelyn Taylor and Troy Samuel Whitfield. 

Magna Cum Laude graduates have maintained a grade point average of at least 3.67. The honorees for the class of 2022 are William Travis Bryant, Katherine Camille Cook, Eliza Elizabeth Eiford, Avery Jewel Kirkham, Eva Brooke Nunnally, Caroline Christine Quina, Jay Alan Sanders, John Patrick Saunders and Ella Grace Squires.

Cum Laude graduates are students who have maintained a minimum of a 3.33 grade point average. This year’s honorees are Strong Powell Beverly, Priscilla Rayne Deese, Zachary Daniel Lauderdale, William Carl Porter and Cutter Wyatt Waldrep. 

“The Class of 2022 is a strong and diverse group of leaders. Our Awards Day Ceremony showcased their talent and perseverance. I am excited for Elise and Kate Ashton; I have tremendous respect for them and know that their comments at graduation will be insightful,” stated Headmaster Dr. Randy Watts. 

Brookwood’s graduation ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 14 in the Joe and Mary Beverly Athletic Center and will be broadcasted on Livestream for those unable to attend.