SHS Senior Emma Claire Spradling has earned recognition as a National Merit Semifinalist.
Starkville High School senior, Emma Claire Spradling, has earned recognition as a National Merit Semifinalist for her performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Spradling is among only 16,000 students nationwide to earn the honor through the National Merit Scholarship Program and scored in the top one percent of students in Mississippi to qualify.
When speaking about her experience in the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, which she has attended since 4th grade, Emma Claire says the diverse student body and the passion teachers have had for their subject matter have prepared her for success not only in high school but as she embarks on her future plans.
“As a Yellow Jacket, I have always been surrounded by a group of diverse and driven students. As I go into college, I will have the experience of working with people who have different strengths and perspectives than myself,” said Spradling.
Spradling has not chosen the university she will attend after graduation, but plans to explore the fields of psychological research and cognitive science. She says her experiences in advanced classes like Algebra III, AP (Advanced Placement) Statistics and AP Psychology helped to spark her interest in data science and hone her passion for pursuing a career that could bring those skills together.
Jason Scott taught Emma for her Algebra III and AP Stats classes, and she credits him with sparking an interest in data science as well as helping her understand her own learning style.
“I owe my passion to go into statistics and data science all to him. His systematic approach to teaching appealed to me as a logical thinker, and he was always able to see exactly what his students needed,” said Spradling.
Likewise, her AP Psychology class, taught by Adam Burton, offered a combination of fun, energy and learning that brought challenging subjects to life.
"I had Mr. Burton for AP Psychology my sophomore year and do not think I will ever forget how much I enjoyed going to second block everyday," she said. "He created fun ways to learn every single day. I learned so much about the experimental models that I hope to work with in college by taking AP Statistics and AP Psychology from amazing teachers.”
When asked what advice she would give to younger students at Starkville High School, Emma encourages them to take advantage of all the opportunities available to them. In addition to focusing on academics, Emma has maintained a balance between school work, extracurricular activities and volunteer work. She says her activities outside the classroom have made her coursework more fun as she was able to pursue other interests.
“I would encourage students to take advantage of the wide range of classes available to you, because not everyone has the opportunities you do," Spradling said. "Aim your classes towards your passions, be inquisitive, and do not be afraid to expand your interests. Find a balance between schoolwork and social life, and you will enjoy learning so much more."
Four the last four years at SHS, Emma Claire has been a medal-winning member of the Yellow Jacket Varsity Cross Country team. During her senior year, she has also participated in the MSU Early Honors program, a partnership with Mississippi State University where she enrolled in her first dual credit honors class through the MSU Shackhouls Honors College. In addition to these activities, she has also pursued competitive dancing for a number of years, which fueled her decision to launch a community service project.
Last year, Emma Claire began the Dance Free Project, an initiative that provides free dance classes to children who may not otherwise be able to afford lessons. She offers the classes through the programs at the J. L. King Center in Starkville.
“It has been extremely rewarding to share my passion for dance, give back to my community, and see how happy dance makes these kids,” she said.
This same desire to give back is something Emma has seen demonstrated by the teachers and staff she has encountered during her years as a Yellow Jacket.
“I have been privileged to have the best teachers who pour their heart into the success of their students. Not only have I learned Calculus and U.S. History, but I have also received invaluable life and career advice,” said Spradling. “I know I am part of a district that really cares about every one of its students and that will support me throughout my life.”