They're No. 1: Alexandra Eakin, Bell City high school valedictorian

Alexandra Eakin

School: Bell City High School

Hometown: Bell City

Parents: Pat Eakin

Post-graduation plans: Attend Southeast Missouri State University and major in finance

High school activities: Volleyball, Cheerleading, Academic Team, Beta Club, FBLA, FCCLA, Pep Club, Student Council

Honors: Beta Club State Convention English Competition - second place, FBLA District Competition Intro to Business Communications - first place, Student of the Year, All District Volleyball Team, All County Cheerleading and Volleyball teams

GPA: 4.0

Favorite high school memory: I could never just pick one, something hilarious happened every day.

Favorite teacher and why: Jessica Cloninger. Not only was she a wonderful English teacher and cheerleading coach, she's also one of my best friends.

Role model: My mother, as unoriginal as that is, but she truly is the strongest woman I know.

Summer plans: I recently spent a week in Europe, which was amazing enough for all summer, so the rest of time will be devoted to working and relaxing.

What will you miss about High School? Being so involved in everything

Advice to incoming seniors: Don't start the countdown to graduation the very first day of school. Try to enjoy it and the people around you.

How will you make the world a better place? I truly believe in those "pass it on" commercials; if you show kindness and respect to someone, they will show it to someone else.

What your prop says about you: This represents all the tears, sweat and, yes, even blood I put into a group of people I loved, respected and believed in.