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Chattanooga: Valedictorians rank spirituality ahead of career and money

By: Holly Leber
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Lookout Valley's Joshua Henderson discusses being the third valedictorianin his family

In Chip and Deanne Henderson’s home, academics took priority, but the couple never set out to have all of their children awarded the top honor at their high school.

“Whatever time they had left after homework was finished was how much time they had to play in the evenings,” Mrs. Henderson said.

The attention on classroom excellence paid off with an unusual accomplishment this year. Her youngest son, Joshua, was named the class of 2008 valedictorian at Lookout Valley High School.

He follows in the footsteps of his brother, Jason, who claimed the same honor in 2005, and his sister, Amber, who earned top scholar status in 2003. Amber is now a property accountant, and Jason is studying history at Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn.

“College was never (not) an option,” said Mrs. Henderson. “It was never ‘if you are going,’ it was ‘where are you going?’”

Joshua, who plans to study criminal justice at UTC, is among 78 regional high schools valedictorians the Chattanooga Times Free Press surveyed to gauge their opinions on their outlook for the future, their priorities and presidential politics.

Of the total, 30 are male; 48 are female. As a group, about half identify themselves with the Republican Party. About a quarter identify with the Democrats, and the rest consider themselves independent, other or undecided, according to the survey.

More than 70 percent said they believe the top issue in the 2008 presidential election will be the stalling economy.

While concerned about the U.S. economy, only 21 percent of students surveyed cited money and career as their most pressing personal concerns.

The majority said they are focused, instead, on leading a spiritual life.

Presidential politics and faith

Many of the region’s valedictorians have thought about whom they would like to see as the next American president. Many will be old enough to vote in an election that for the first time includes a black and a woman as major party candidate contenders.

“I have different opinions on different topics so I vote based on each candidate’s stance on the topics and not by the party they belong to,” said Alexandrian King, valedictorian for 21st Century Academy.

Some first-time voters in the group indicate they will base their political choices on religious beliefs.

“The Bible says a man should be the leader of the household, and now there’s a good chance that we could have a woman president,” said Mr. Henderson of Lookout Valley High.

“I’m not sure how I feel about that exactly, if it is OK for a woman to lead.” He also cited the Bible as the reason he opposes abortion and same-sex marriage.

Other students have adopted a more liberal point of view.

“I believe that people should be free to be who they want to be and free to believe what they want to believe in,” said Kanesha Earvin, valedictorian of Howard School of Academics and Technology. “I also believe that people should not be persecuted for who they are and their beliefs.”

Some, such as Eric Snider of Hamilton County Middle College are reserving judgment on the presidential candidates.

While he aligns more with the Republican Party, Mr. Snider said: “There is still plenty of time until the 2008 presidential election, and my opinion can still change.”

Michael Schulson of Baylor School seems to be adopting the lesser-of-two-evils philosophy.

“I don’t feel a close affiliation with the Democrats,” said Mr, Schulson, “but I cannot support John McCain or much of what the Republican Party stands for.”

Lauren Caldwell, valedictorian for David Brainerd Christian School, simply is dissatisfied.

“I do not feel there is a good candidate to vote for this election,” she said.

World in turmoil

Many of the valedictorians said they do not have an optimistic view of the future. Sixty-three percent of survey respondents said they see a world in turmoil.

“There is war and strife everywhere you look,” said Leah Smith of Pisgah High School.

“(I see) a world in turmoil — unless we as human beings step up to do something about it,” David Copeland of Boyd-Buchanan School said. “The world won’t fix itself.”

Charles McCullough of Ringgold High School prefers to focus on the progress that has been made.

“The world has become a better place throughout history thanks to advances in civil rights and technology,” Mr. McCullough said. “I think it’s possible, even likely, that this trend will continue.”

Matthew Hicks of Chattooga County High School said he sees a world in chaos “because God has been removed from so many aspects of the world, especially the government.”

Two members of the 2008 valedictory class cited the book of Revelation as being indicative of a future in turmoil.

This Biblical mind-set jibes with the fact that a majority of the students said spirituality, is more important to them than succeeding in college or money and career.

“This is obviously the most important thing no matter what stage of life you are at,” said Mr. McCullough.

And Diana Patrick of Grace Baptist Academy said, “True happiness and significance can only be found in him.”

Some are steadfast in their spiritual devotion. Others seek to learn and explore.

“I’m most concerned about figuring out exactly what the word ‘spiritual’ means,” said Blake Wilkey of Soddy-Daisy High School.

Andrea Barger said she is planning to take things as they come. “Succeeding in college is my biggest concern momentarily, especially because that is the next stage of my life,” said the Gordon Lee valedictorian. “Once I get through succeeding in college, I can worry about money and a career.”

Economic worries

More than 70 percent of surveyed students are concerned about the economy.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry -- Joshua Henderson, right, Lookout Valley High School’s 2008 valedictorian, stands with his siblings, Jason and Amber, in the hallway of their alma mater. Josh is the third family member to represent Lookout Valley as the class valedictorian. Jason was valedictorian in 2005, and Amber was valedictorian in 2003.

“I feel that the economy, with the possibility for disaster that it holds, is key to the upcoming election,” said Sean Forrest of Chattanooga Christian School. “Historically, a great deal of our nation’s power has been due to the incredible wealth we have enjoyed. With the continuing rise in power of nations like China and India, it appears that we are falling behind.”

He cited the national decline in home prices as a key element of economic decline in the United States.

Andrea Barger of Gordon Lee High said the troubled economy has ripple effects.

“Everyone has to deal with the price of food, gas and other commodities whose prices are skyrocketing,” she said.

The valedictorians who did not cite the economy as the most important issue in the upcoming election were divided in their focus among the war in Iraq, health care, the environment and illegal immigration.

They are evenly divided on their feelings about Iraq. One-third support America’s involvement there, one-third oppose it, and the rest feel ambivalent.

Some, like Emily Epperson of Marion County High School, are trying to maintain a positive perspective.

“I am sure some aspects of this war could have been handled differently, but overall I believe it is a worthwhile cause. I do regret all the innocent loss of life, but they have not died in vain,” she said.

Others are angry.

“I do not support the Iraq involvement because too many soldiers are losing their lives for a pointless war brought on by President Bush’s personal vendettas,” said Dadrien Barnes, valedictorian of Central High School.

But Danielle Houts of Dade County High School stands behind the president.

“A country divided cannot stand,” she said.

Times Free Press staff writers Anne Braly, Kathy Gilbert, Karen Nazor Hill, Susan Pierce and Christine Simmons contributed to this report.

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