Last week, the seven area high schools had around 600 seniors to graduate from their respective schools. But only one person from each school had the honor of being the Class of 2015 valedictorian.

These seven young scholars worked hard throughout their high school careers to be the best they could be and we commend them on a job well done.

The valedictorians were Dallas County’s Voneshia Cleveland, who plans to attend the University of Alabama in the fall; Ellwood Christian’s Shekinah Williams, who will begin Jackson State University in the fall; Keith’s Deanthony Griffin, who will attend Alabama A&M; Meadowview Christian’s Jessie Boswell, who signed an academic scholarship with the University of Mobile; Morgan Academy’s Anna Zhang, who will attend New York University, Selma’s Matthew Smith III, who plans to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Southside’s Breana Ennis, who will attend Columbus State University in the fall.

With the colleges they chose being as close to home as the University of Alabama and as far away as New York University, the graduates will be representing Dallas County and the Queen City near and far. But regardless of where they chose to attend and how far they are away from Dallas County and Selma, we know these graduates are going to achieve great things in life and are sure to represent our city well. These graduates have been through a lot during time in school but have all reached for the stars.

Their peers and younger classmates should look up to them as an inspiration to go after their goals and never give up on what they want.

The seven valedictorians are fine examples of the amount of bright and talented young people that we have coming out of the area, and we are excited for them to go out and share their love for their hometown.

We hope after they finish their college days that they will make their way back to share their knowledge and experience and help to make Selma and Dallas County better than ever.

Congratulations to all of these valedictorians and we wish them the best of luck in their future.