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For most students, graduation is a milestone. For Eva Carnes, it’s the realization of a dream she’s had since kindergarten.

“I’ve wanted this since I was five years old,” Carnes said, reflecting on the moment she learned she’d be named valedictorian of the Troup High School Class of 2025. “I stood in the library, with Miss Upchurch and Miss Taylor, just sobbing. We were jumping up and down. I was overwhelmed. It was the best feeling ever.”

When her mom found out that she had been named valedictorian, Carnes said she was over the moon knowing that this had been her daughter’s goal. Carnes credits much of her success to her mom.“She has been there through and through….She has to be a mom and a dad, and she has to financially provide for us and without her, I don’t think I would have been here. She encourages me so much. She, I don’t know. She just always makes it happen,” Carnes said.

At school, teachers like Mr. Paul Hammock, her AP Government teacher who was also involved with the ambassador program and peer leadership, left a lasting impression on Carnes.

“He’s my all-time favorite and like my school dad,” Carnes said. “He always has words of wisdom when you need it. And having somebody like that at school is so impactful.”

She also loved Mr. Chance Giddens’ class and said that Giddens and Mr. David Diehl were very inspiring.

Aside from classes, Carnes spent two years as an ambassador, her favorite part being Friends Club.

“I feel like being in that really impacted, like the way, I think, because we work with our exceptional education students.”

She also took part in FCCLA conferences as an officer, which she felt gave her great leadership experience and was a member of both the National Honor Society and Beta Club, the latter giving her opportunities to participate in academic competitions and service projects.

Despite her full extracurricular plate, she also held down two jobs during high school.

One of the biggest academic challenges she faced was AP Calculus.

“It moved so fast, and I just wasn’t comprehending properly, so I was struggling. I reached out to classmates, including our salutatorian, Brianna Crawford, who was so helpful, but she didn’t know parts of it too. Then I went to my teacher, Miss Ward. She was amazing. She stayed after school for tutoring every day. Miss Ward was able to help me figure it out,” Carnes said.

This Fall, she’ll be heading to the University of Georgia to major in pharmaceutical sciences, with ambitions of becoming a nuclear pharmacist, a specialized role that involves medications for thyroid conditions and some forms of cancer. Her future plans may include UGA’s Double Dawgs program or transferring to the University of Tennessee for their nuclear pharmacy track.

She also said that she has a soft spot for children.

“I’ve worked at Callaway Gardens for three years as an elf and did summer camps there. I just love working with kids,” Carnes shared.

When asked what advice she’d give younger students, she stated, “Take a deep breath. It may seem like the end of the world…but it’s not going to matter in the long run. Challenge yourself. A lot of people, I don’t feel, challenge themselves enough. Challenge yourself with what you’re doing in school. Be active in school because once you’re active, you find that support group of teachers and fellow students. If you don’t put yourself in those situations, you’re not going to have that loving environment that is there for you.”

As Carnes prepares to take the stage, she leaves her classmates and her community with one final thought, “Let go and let God deal with it.”