According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 30 percent of children from single-parent households live in poverty, are uneducated or will be incarcerated; but for Keith High graduate Franchestia Flennory, she beats the stigma.

Raised by her mother Alisia Williams-Flennory, not only did Franchestia graduate at the top of her class with honors, but the valedictorian was also awarded the 2011 Gates Millennium Scholarship, was a 2011 Girl of the Year finalist and was the Alabama Bandmasters Association’s Red Band top piccolo player in the state. Flennory said her mother is her role model.

“My mom is my big sister, best friend and mom all in one. She gave me encouragement whenever I had hard times,” Flennory said. “She kept me going and helped me out.”

Flennory, who has only made one ‘B’ during high school, has major plans.

“I want to attend college and major in biology and pre-medicine with a minor in musical performance,” Flennory said. “I want to help people live better lives and give them hope. People shouldn’t be afraid to go the doctor.”

Flennory is undecided about what college she will attend. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tuskegee University, University of West Alabama or the University of Alabama at Birmingham are her top choices.

“I would go to UAB for medicine and FAMU for music because it has a good band program,” Flennory said. “After my medical degree, I want to work at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Birmingham for about four years and then eventually come back to Selma and either own my own practice or work with others.”

Because Flennory grew up as an only child, she said music was a form of escape.

“I didn’t have siblings to do things with, so getting in band was fun and helped me keep my grades up,” Flennory said. “I played in the Alabama State Honor Band for the past four years and that’s where I met my friend, Mary Peeples. Just like me, she uses music to express herself.”

Flennory participated in volleyball, Student Government Association, Future Business Leaders of America, Selma-Dallas County Youth Leadership and photography while in school. Flennory also enjoys drawing, for which she’s won contests.

“I like drawing still life and drawing different things — especially with music,” Flennory said. “One time I drew a watercolor of the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the bridge keeper’s house — the yellow house adjacent to the St. James Hotel. I’ve also drawn tiger lilies from residents’ homes and bowls of fruit.

“The Selma-Dallas County Youth Leadership had an anti-littering campaign, and I won first place in the senior division,” Flennory said. “Copies of my poster were placed throughout the city. It was cool.”

The key to success, Flennory said, is simple.

“Work hard,” Flennory said. “You’re going to have struggles, but you have to always do your best, not someone else’s expectation of what your best should be.”