Leake Academy graduation ceremony held May 10

Leake Academy celebrated the Class of 2024 last Friday with a graduation ceremony at the school’s gymnasium. 

Abigail Graham was named Valedictorian and Benjamin Jackson was named Salutatorian. 

Graham is the 17-year-old daughter of Doug and Allison Graham of Philadelphia. She is a member of Longino Baptist Church in Philadelphia and is active in their youth group. 

She has been on the headmaster’s list for her whole high school career, maintained a 4.0 GPA, scored a 30 on her ACT and has a 31 SuperScore. She was named Valedictorian for the 2024 senior class at Leake Academy. 

She has received numerous subject awards throughout her high school career and received the Citizenship Award in the 9th and 12th grades. This year, she was honored to be named “Student of the Month" for the month of October by the Carthage Rotary Club. 

At Leake Academy, Abigail is a member of the Lady Rebels basketball team and the golf team. She received the Leigh Ann Barnett Memorial Sportsmanship Award for basketball and the Rebel Award for golf this year. She has also been on the annual staff since 10th grade and served as an editor this year. 

During her junior year, Abigail was a member of Leadership Neshoba and served as treasurer. She is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership council, G-Force, Beta Club, and Mu Alpha Theta and was honored to be named this year’s Champion of Character for FCA. 

Abigail plans to attend the University of Mississippi in the fall and be a part of the Early Entry Pharmacy Program, and she hopes to one day give back to her community as a pharmacist.

Jackson is the 18-year-old son of Chris and Missy Jackson of Philadelphia and is a member of the First Methodist Church. 

During his high school career, Benjamin has maintained a 4.0 GPA while being actively involved on campus. He was named Salutatorian for the 2024 senior class at Leake Academy.

Benjamin has received numerous academic awards during high school including Physics, College Algebra, English Comp II, College Psychology, College Speech, Creative Writing, and US Government as a senior. 

In Who’s Who elections, his peers selected him as Best All Around and Most Likely to Become President. Benjamin was elected Vice-President and later became President of the Student Body. 

Benjamin was a member of both the varsity football and the varsity basketball teams. He was chosen as WTOK-TV’s Scholastic Athlete of the Year and was also selected to play on the MSAIS All-Star football team where he was chosen as the Offensive MVP.

Benjamin plans to attend Mississippi State University in the fall.

— See the Graduation section inside today’s Democrat.