Valedictorian Matthew Rakestraw CCHS Class of 2023
It was a completely life-changing experience for me . I began to actually love learning and being around people who also had similar interests . I developed an intense love for history and later , writing .”
“ There was one teacher -- Kristy Croft — who really stuck out to me , and she brought out so much from me that was sort of trapped inside . Ms . Croft took time to make sure she understood how I learned best ,” he said . “ She made history -- specifically early American history -- exciting and relatable . I ’ ve been in love with the past and the past ’ s implications for the future ever since .”
It wasn ’ t until 10th grade that Rakestraw realized his grades were high enough to compete for the title of valedictorian .
“ One day I was sitting in my Spanish class and looked at the transcript that we have on Infinite Campus and realized that I was first . And from then on , I just committed myself to making it happen ,” he explained .
Amidst a rigorous academic schedule that consists of dual enrollment core college classes such as Advanced Placement calculus , German and biology , lies another of Rakestraw ’ s passions – choir . Inspired by his mother and sister , both of whom were school choir veterans , the tenor has been involved in various forms of choir since sixth grade . He described how his sister pushed him to stay in choir , encouraging him during a period when he was beginning to lose interest .
“ It took a lot for me to stay in eighth and ninth grade because I just wasn ’ t interested at that point . By the tenth grade , my sister was like , ‘ You have to do the musical , you have to do it . If you don ’ t , you ’ ll regret it .’ So , I auditioned and got a pretty good part for a sophomore ,” he explained .
JULY 2023 MoultrieScene 21