By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

            Bronson Town Council members agreed Tuesday to go forward with their Fourth of July fireworks display at James H. Cobb Park and honor Bronson Middle High School seniors in a parade before the fireworks.

            Three seniors, Haley Weeks, Maleigha Surles, and Caitlin Clevinger were given town scholarships of $1,000 each at the council meeting as a way to honor their accomplishments.

            The parade is a way to recognize all the seniors in the Class of 2020. The final two months of their senior year were spent studying at home rather than in classes. The coronavirus also forced them to miss gatherings like the prom.

            Caitlin Clevinger, daughter of Pamela Clevinger, is the salutatorian and was editor of the school yearbook for four years. She said she achieved academic success through hard work and taking advantage of honors classes, advanced placement classes and the dual-enrollment program. She said she is “one year ahead of the game.”

            “I have worked hard to achieve the rank of salutatorian of Bronson’s graduating class of 2020,” she wrote in her letter to the council. “After graduation I plan to work during the summer to can gain more financial independence.”

            She will return to classes at Santa Fe College in August and earn her last 12 credit hours to graduate with an Associate of Arts degree in December.

            “From there I plan to transfer to the University of Florida and achieve a Bachelor’s Degree in botany. With my degree and all my experience I hope to pursue my career in conservation sciences with a focus on botanical research,” she said.

            Maleigha Hope Surles, daughter of James and Jennifer Surles, was active in sports and FFA and earned the FFA Discovery Star Greenhand, Chapter Star, Farm Workhorse and Star Chapter Agribusiness awards. She was a member of the Beta Club and Student Government. She was an athlete in softball and weightlifting.

              She said she applied for the scholarship because she feels it will help her achieve her dreams and goals and eventually assist her in giving back to her community.

            “I believe I am deserving of this scholarship because I am a driven, educated and determined young woman. I have goals and aspirations and I will achieve them,” she wrote to the council.

            She said the scholarship will aid her in continuing her educational career at the next level.

            “I plan to obtain a degree in agribusiness and then branch out into owning and operating my own cattle ranch. I need this scholarship because it will supply me with funds to buy books and supplies needed to succeed in my college courses. The scholarship would give me the opportunity to pursue my career and not have to worry about having enough funds to achieve it,” she said.

            Maleigha is a special person in another way. She loves giving back and helping those in need.

            “I recently donated the sale of my homegrown steer to Amelia King and Rhet Cooper, two kids in my community battling cancer. Receiving this scholarship will help me and my future tremendously,” she wrote to the council.

            Haley Weeks, daughter of Berlon and Donna Weeks, said she plans to become a lawyer.

            “I am a very ambitious student with big dreams to accomplish. I plan on attending Santa Fe College to earn my Associate of Arts, then transferring to the University of Florida to complete my Bachelor’s Degree,” she said. “I am going to study business or history for my Bachelors, then afterwards I am going to attend law school to earn my law degree and become a lawyer. With these dreams there will be a lot of expenses and this scholarship would help out tremendously,” she said. “I believe I would be a great recipient of this award because I am a hardworking student who is determined to succeed.”

            Haley, the senior class president and member of the National Society of High School Scholars, did extremely well in dual enrollment courses. Along with being senior class president, she was captain of her varsity softball and basketball teams. She was a member of many clubs at school and worked part-time at Weeks Marathon.

            “These extracurricular activities have taught me how to manage time and become a better person in and outside of the classroom. I believe I have taken the necessary steps needed to flourish and have a positive impact on society once I graduate,” she said.

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Town of Bronson Regular Meeting May 18, 2020; Posted May 20, 2020