NORTH CARROLLTON - J.Z. George High School will graduate 56 seniors at its commencement exercises Saturday.
The graduation exercises will take place at 10 a.m. at the school's gymnasium.
Erica Duren is the valedictorian, and Valencia Bailey is the salutatorian. Duren has a 3.8 grade point average, and Bailey has a 3.6 grade point average.
Duren said she plans to give an uplifting message to her fellow graduates. "I'm going to give them a motivational speech," she said.
She is the daughter of Genice Duren and the granddaughter of Lorine and L.V. Duren.
Duren has received academic honors in biology, English I, computer discovery, health, chemistry, English II, French I, business and computer technology I and English III.
She had perfect attendance and is listed on the school's Honor Roll.
Duren has won a National Science Award and received awards in accelerated English IV, U.S. government, trigonometry and pre-calculus.
Duren is vice president of the school's Beta Club and a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. She has played softball, basketball and track in grades seven through 12.
She is a member of the Jaguar Steppers Team and was a cheerleader in grades eight through 12.
Duren was also a senior maid in the 2006-2007 homecoming celebration.
Duren said two of her favorite teachers have been Coach Tom Hamby, who taught her math in the seventh grade, and Coach Claude Elam, her basketball, softball and track coach.
Duren plans to attend the University of Mississippi in the fall.
Bailey says her speech will have two purposes.
"It's more of an inspirational speech. I'll talk about how the world can be cruel but don't let it get you down," she said.
In addition, she said she plans to advise incoming seniors to be thoughtful of those they meet.
"I'll be telling them, 'Don't be rude to the people you see; you may run into them later on in life,'" she said.
Bailey is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bailey.
Her academic honors include awards in history and economics.
Bailey has a perfect attendance record at J.Z. George.
She is a member of the school's Honor Roll and served as a senior homecoming maid.
A member of the Beta Club, Bailey has served as junior and senior class president.
Bailey has received a full scholarship to Jackson State University in the fall.
"I don't see anything wrong with Jackson State University, plus, they gave me a full scholarship, so why not go?" she said.
At JSU, Bailey plans to major in biology and go on to medical school.
She said she plans to become an obstetrician-gynecologist.
