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Dallas County High School had a unique situation in the Class of 2023.

Valedictorian Shikeria Fails was joined by three Salutatorians:  Hayden Primm, Bailey Ross and Rodney McCarroll. They were among 80 students who walked across the stage under a rainstorm to receive their diplomas at Martin Field.

Dallas County High Principal Erika Crum said she wasn’t surprised ties resulted in the second-best student for the senior class.

“The Class of 2023 has always been academically competitive,” Crum said. “DCHS is elated this year to have three students graduating with the same GPA ranking them to be tied for Salutation. I believe this class will truly excel in their future endeavors.”

Fails, who plans to attend Alabama A&M University and Major in Biology/Pre-Med, said her finishing first combined hard work and determination.

“It feels great being the Class Valedictorian,”  Fails said. “I wasn’t the smartest student, but I was  the hardest-working student.”

The tri-Salutatorians were honored to share the stage in a three-way tie.

Primm, who will attend Auburn University to become a teacher, said sharing the Salutatorian honor with two classmates was good.

“I aimed to become the Valedictorian, but finishing second means a lot,’’ Primm said.  “I’m proud of the hard work I put in.”

McCarroll, who will major in Electrical Engineering at Alabama A&M, said he was surprised but thrilled to finish second alongside Primm and Ross.

Ross, who will major in Engineering at the University of Alabama, said she’s proud of her academic career at Dallas County High School.

“All of the hard work I put in paid off for me being with two other Salutatorians,” Ross said.