Heritage Bank celebrated academic achievement with the seventh annual High Honors Recognition program for the exceptional students of Fayette County High School by extending the honors to include neighboring Starr’s Mill High School. Best-selling author Ronda Rich entertained the group of 220 scholars and their families with her renowned humor as she drove home the message that hard work and persistence are the tools of success, and they should never give up their dreams.

“Heritage Bank strives to make our community a better place through our presence and our actions, and I cannot think of a better investment in our community than the education of our young people,” Heritage Bank vice president Carol Colon told the students. “We are proud to honor you for your outstanding achievements and the standard of academic excellence you bring to your school.”
FCHS and SMHS students from ninth through twelfth grades must maintain a minimum grade of 93 percent in all of their classes in each grade of high school to earn High Honors. This year, nine FCHS students and eight SMHS students were each awarded a plaque for four consecutive years of High Honors achievement. Students also received an academic letter and a bar for their letter jackets and a certificate.

“This is a very prestigious honor, which these students have earned,” said FCHS assistant principal Kelly Taylor, emphasizing that most of the honorees are involved in an array school activities and athletics beyond the classroom. “We appreciate that Heritage Bank does this for our community because it allows these kids to really be recognized for their great work ethic and for making the right decisions. We are very proud of these students, and they and their families deserve the recognition.”

The High Honors program is the brainchild of Heritage Bank Executive vice president Jack Bowdoin, who envisioned the positive impact of rewarding the academic accomplishments of local high school students. When Heritage Bank began the program with Fayette County High School in 2001, FCHS was a newly-minted National School of Excellence (2000).

“What a nice way for Heritage Bank to recognize our students for their achievements,” said Sue Zeller, mother of SMHS honoree Holly (’09). “And what a special opportunity it was to meet Ronda Rich! She was delightful and we all – students and parents - left talking about what a great evening we had.”

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