SE Atlanta News

Continuing our tradition of recognizing graduating seniors, Fulton County Schools proudly launches its “Star Seniors: Class of 2022” web and video series. These 16 outstanding seniors – one from each high school – embody the spirit and fortitude of the Class of 2022. We are profiling high academic achievers, all-star athletes and award-winners, students with unusual or unique stories to share, and those who have beaten the odds to graduate.

The unforeseen arrival of COVID-19 in 2020 has presented many challenges thoughout the high school experience for this year's Star Seniors. These students and their peers deserve to be recognized for overcoming obstacles and moving steadfast toward graduation. Star Seniors and the Class of 2022, we salute you for your grit and can-do attitude. We wish you the best in all your future endevours.

Videos and bios will be released weekly in May. Please check back often!

Creekside HS 2022 Star Senior - Grace Okpurukre

Grace Okpurukre is Creekside High’s Star Senior. The daughter of Nigerian immigrants, she is the first in her family to be born in America. “Coming to America in 2000 was a fresh start for my sister and mother,” Okpurukre said. “My father came in 2001 and they had to build from the bottom up. My mother owns two hair salons, and my father is a pastor.”

With the determination instilled from the Nigerian culture, Okpurukre lives by the saying, “Naija No Dey Carry Last,” the unofficial national motto of Nigeria. “In Nigerian, the saying means we don’t take last place,” she said. “I have always pushed forward to be at the top of my class here at Creekside. I am always thinking about how I can get better.”

Creekside High Band Director Dexter Bailey, Jr. has known Okpurukre since she was in the sixth grade. “Grace is a model student,” Bailey said. “In the band program she has served as a student leader for four years. She is captain of the French horn section and works as a mentor with younger students. She is a hard worker and a wonderful musician.”

Creekside Principal Frankie Pollock, Jr., agrees. “Grace actually exemplifies what a Creekside student should be,” Pollock said. “She’s very outgoing and energetic and focused on her future.”

Five years from now Okpurukre sees herself achieving her career goal. “I have a plethora of schools that I’m looking at now,” she said. “My top schools are the University of Georgia and Mercer. I plan to major in Business Administration and later go on to law school to achieve my goal of being a corporate attorney.”

Her favorite subjects, music and math, are helping to push her forward. “Math challenges me,” Okpurukre said. “I like doing calculations and problem solving. Music allows me to be creative and helps me to breathe and relieve stress.”

While working in her mother’s hair salons gives her a creative outlet, it also develops her communications skills. “I am a very creative person,” she said. “Braiding hair helps me build relationships with customers and help my mother. I also do my own hair.”

Okpurukre’s musical ability has given her the opportunity to lead. “She represents Creekside in the Fulton County Schools District Honor Band,” Bailey said. “She definitely was a star student before she received this award.”

With quiet confidence, Okpurukre is proud to be recognized as Creekside’s Star Senior. “It means I’m held to a high standard here at Creekside,” she said. “I’m used as an influence for my peers to be the best version of themselves they can be.”

Banneker HS 2022 Star Senior - Jalen Walton

Jalen Walton is Banneker High School’s Star Senior. When Walton’s mother, Michele White, became gravely ill he set a goal to graduate early. When she died, he set new goals. “Unfortunately, she passed away October 25, 2021,” Walton said. “My mom was an amazing woman who cared about everyone around her. Her legacy is ‘don’t ever give up.’ Always do right by people no matter how bad they treat you, and she told us to spread kindness and love.”

Banneker Principal Dr. Jason Stamper was also Walton’s middle school principal. He knew Walton from the time he was in the sixth grade. “His mom was always his biggest fan,” Dr. Stamper said. “She wanted to make sure he had everything available to him to make him successful.”

The passing of Michele White cemented Walton’s maturity. “He’s always been mature beyond his years,” Dr. Stamper said. “I admire him as a student, young man, and as a person.”

To honor his mother’s desire for him to spread kindness and love, Walton volunteers as a peer facilitator. Counselor Tamechia Bernard said: “If I ask him to give a positive word to a student, he does. Typically, the student is very receptive to him because of his delivery and his gentleness. He is also very real.”

Khaleelah Mack, Walton’s favorite teacher, agrees. “He takes a general music class from me,” Mack said. “In that class, if he’s not there, his presence is missed. He’s just a joy to be around.”

Five years from now, Walton plans to be a real estate agent, like counselor Tamechia Bernard. “I’m a real estate broker,” she said. “We have a bond because he is very interested in real estate as a career.”

Principal Stamper conquers. “He’s a young man who seeks out knowledge,” Dr. Stamper said. “Right now, he’s a student in a real estate class. How many high school students are enrolled in real estate classes? He’s basically securing his future.”

Walton’s dedication to purpose is why he was chosen as Banneker’s Star Senior. “He’s a young man who, no matter what obstacles are placed in front of him, will find a way to overcome them,” Dr. Stamper said.

Why real estate? “I want to be a real estate agent because it’s something I have a passion for,” Walton said. “I love looking at different homes and I love putting things together. I feel like I can find someone’s perfect dream home.”

Walton has fulfilled his mother’s dream for him, by completing all requirements to graduate from Banneker High. Every day he looks into the mirror and says, “I’m amazing.” He quickly follows it up by texting friends and family with “You’re amazing.”

How has he survived the loss of his mother, his biggest fan? “Always be the best you,” he said. “Never give up no matter what happens in your life.”

Johns Creek HS 2022 Star Senior - Carson Kennedy

Carson Kennedy is Johns Creek High’s Star Senior. The captain of the school’s swimming team, he helped lead the school to its third state championship in four years. He is also Student Council president.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here at Johns Creek,” Kennedy said. “It feels really good that I’ve had some impact here.”

Johns Creek Principal Chris Shearer agrees that Kennedy has had an impact, particularly after the pandemic. “Not only is he talented academically, but he’s helped lead the effort to help us come back and have a normal school year,” Shearer said. “Carson headed the student committee that looked at a way to reboot school spirit. We wanted to put our brand on things. We needed to be spirited about Johns Creek. Carson and others decided this would be their legacy. It became a creed for us.”

Kennedy calls the group that led the school spirit effort, the Gladiator Army.

“Being with the student body and all of us showing unity was really good,” Kennedy said.

He has this advice for students entering Johns Creek next year. “My mantra is to always keep moving forward,” Kennedy said. “On days when I’m struggling and I can’t make a giant step, I make one step forward towards being better.”

Being better also includes getting involved with clubs and organizations and getting to know your teachers. “You want to have conversations with your teachers,” Kennedy said. “Learn how the school works. Everyone is here to help you succeed.”

Kennedy’s favorite teacher, Jordan Smith, notes that he is a well-rounded student who cares for others. “Outside of the classroom, if you go to a sporting, theater or musical event, he’s probably there,” said Smith. “And he’s probably in the front row, screaming his head off.”

When he graduates from Johns Creek, Kennedy hopes to move forward in the study of medicine, but he also plans to pursue another passion. “I know it may sound silly, but I’ve always wanted to learn how to play the guitar,” Kennedy said. No doubt he will succeed.

“He’s pretty unstoppable,” Smith said.

Alpharetta HS 2022 Star Senior - Aria Vaghefi

Aria Vaghefi is recognized as the Star Senior at Alpharetta High School, after four years of working hard and showing determination.

“I think Aria is one of the more well-respected students by the faculty and staff and by his peers,” explained Vaghefi’s math teacher Jeff Cohen. “He’s good academically and is a good person. He’s just a really nice guy. He’s got this aura about him.”

Cohen taught Vaghefi when classes were virtual, and he always remained genuinely engaged in class. Cohen says he was a great participator in online classes, asking good questions, answering questions and staying focused.

“Sometimes it felt like pulling teeth out of students at home, but he never made it that way,” said Cohen. “[He asked] well thought-out questions.”

“He’s a great student,” said Vaghefi‘s counselor Karen Bolt. “[He took] 15 AP and dual enrollment courses and [has] a high A average. He’s respectful, humble, intelligent, driven.”

According to Vaghefi, his biggest high school accomplishment is being named a finalist for the Questbridge Scholarship and getting into his first college.

“[It is] a scholarship meant for first [generation] low-income kids that need more help financially getting into top private schools,” explained Vaghefi.

According to QuestBridge's website, the foundation provides full, four-year scholarships worth over $200,000 each to students attending partner colleges and universities.

After graduation Vaghefi plans to travel to the University of Southern California, where he will attend college. In five years, he hopes to have graduated from college, be pursuing his MBA in financial engineering and working as a financial analyst.

Cohen can envision Vaghefi in a corporate job in five years, seeing where life is going to take him.

“I think he’s open-minded enough to know that if he picks the wrong thing at first, he has a lot of life left in him and can choose something else,” said Cohen.

Bolt has no doubt this is possible for Vaghefi.

“He will be successful wherever he is,” she said. “I’m very proud of him.”

Cohen agreed saying, “You have a lot of great qualities. Just know you are going to succeed no matter what you do.”

After four years in high school, Vaghefi offers this advice to incoming first-year students: “Enjoy your time in high school. Make a lot of good friends and memories.”