The Rotary Club of Covington saluted Newton County School System students Monday in its annual Top 10 reception.

The Top 10 reception recognizes the top 10 graduates from Alcovy, Eastside and Newton high schools, along with giving the students the chance to honor their favorite teachers.

The Rotary Club of Covington has been honoring the top 10 students for more than 30 years, and continued that tradition at Newton High School, with Rotarian Keith Adams serving as master of ceremonies.

R.L. Cousins Class of 1968 graduate Almon Turner was the event’s keynote speaker, setting the tone for the evening and talking about the course the students, themselves, must set after graduation.

Turner told the crowd of students, teachers and parents about his journey from a hopeful musician at Fort Valley State to his current role as the Assistant Chief of Police with the Covington Police Department.

He spoke about the importance of the journey, preparation, and opportunity, highlighting how the students earned the right to be called a top 10 student, and shouldn’t stop doing what got them there.

“You must have the spirit of good will and amoral compass,” Turner told the students. “As you travel to the top, be sure to reach back and give the person behind you a helping hand. You had others to help you, others to help give you encouraging words. Do the same for them.”

After Turner spoke to the crowd, each student was recognized and given an award, along with their top teacher.
The top 10 students and their favorite teachers from Newton High School are: Jalise Black and Lakeshia Mills; Alexander Bourisquot and Clarence Canty; Brianna Hayden; Jonathan Hyman and Adrienne Boisson; Christopher Lightsey and CW04 Rawley Colemon; Paris Little and Kristina Collins; Hanah Scott and Mrs. Elbert; Blake Small and Paige Meakins; Taji Steele and Tawana Parker-Bellamy and Joshua Suber and Maruthi Rampally.

The top 10 students and their favorite teachers from Eastside High School are: Nicholas Anderson and Alan Flower; Nicole Butler and Judy Smith; Jesse Eldell and Monique Mitchell; Courtney Farrow and Michael Poor; Charles Hall and Michael Poor; Angel Li and Eric Adams; Monica Privette and Joel Singleton; Brantley Proffitt and Eric Adams; Scott Reich and Coach Jones and Heather Yu and Michael Poor.

The top 10 students and their favorite teachers from Alcovy High School are: Anthony Johnston and Mrs. Anderson; Elysia Baker and Mr. Kim; Aleea Marie Bishop and Ms. Hebert; Naomi Alexis Carter-Thomas and Ms. Uryga; Baylee Friedman and Ms. Floyd; Aaliya Goode and Ms. Cole; Allison Ballew and Ms. Uryga; Hanna Maddux and Ms. Briggs; Acacia Nicholson and Dr. Austin Manuel and Tierra Hodges .