Fifty-five Pillow Academy students will don their caps and gowns at 7 p.m. Friday at the Leflore County Civic Center to receive their diplomas during commencement.
The valedictorian is Anish Sharma. The son of Anil and Sunita Sharma, Anish has a 101.68 grade average.
“It is sad because I have been at Pillow Academy for 14 years, but I am excited to experience a new place,” Anish said. “I have been in Greenwood my whole life.”
He plans to attend Ole Miss and double-major in accounting and finance because he enjoys working with numbers.
He received one of the two Robert M. Carrier Scholarships given by Ole Miss.
During his time at Pillow, Anish has been the Student Council president, National Honor Society president, JETS president, a member of the Green and Gold Club, quiz bowl captain, member of FCA and editor of the school newspaper. He has also been involved with sports as a member of the basketball team and track teams.
His favorite memories from Pillow have been from his time on the basketball team.
“We were all really close,” Anish said. “It was fun being around each other, hanging out in the locker room and playing a sport we enjoy.”
He hopes his classmates will remember to do things they enjoy and do them with all their heart as they move on to the next stage in their lives.
Kelsey Stephens, daughter of Shane and Janet Stephens, is the salutatorian. Her grade average is 99.82.
She said she is feeling confident in her ability to take the next step into college.
“Pillow Academy has laid the foundation for our academic success,” Kelsey said. “We will be able to take that wherever we go.”
She’ll attend Ole Miss this fall and study pharmacy.
“I’ve seen how much of an impact pharmacists in our community have made to help people,” she said.
Kelsey was recently admitted into the early entry program at the university.
She received numerous scholarships including the Academic Excellence scholarship, the Longstreet scholarship, the Chancellor’s Leadership scholarship and the High School Valedictorian/Salutatorian scholarship. She also received local scholarships through Altrusa and the Chamber of Commerce’s Student Achievement program.
She has been a cheerleader since seventh grade, varsity cheerleading captain her senior year, Crown Club president, ASTRA president, Green and Gold Ambassador, JETS vice president, foreign language club president, FCA leader, National Honor Society treasurer and a member of the math and science club, stock market club and Lions Leadership. She is a member of First Baptist Church in Greenwood.
Kelsey has been inspired by her 11th-grade honors English teacher, Romney Brock.
“She really showed me you have to strive and do your best because you never know what is ahead of you,” Kelsey said.
Kelsey encourages her classmates to follow that example and do their best in everything they try.
