Crosby, Kirby excel in academics, life

Charles Albert Crosby Jr and Amy Lee Kirby are in the top ten percent of the 2009 Lake City High School graduating class and are showing their teachers and fellow classmates they are ready to enter the real world.
Principal Kasey Miles Feagin said Crosby and Kirby perform well academically and are very positive-minded students.
“They always have smiles on their faces,” Feagin said as she took a break from managing the day-to-day operations of the high school. Feagin said they are both always willing to give assistance in school wide activities, such as decorating for pep-rallies.
“They are motivated to participate in all aspects of the total high school program,” said Eleventh and Twelfth grade Guidance Counselor Beverly Donnelly. Donnelly said not only do Crosby and Kirby excel academically, they find time to participate in athletics, student government and fine arts.
Crosby is a member of the Lake City High School Varsity Soccer Team, National Honor Society, National Beta Club, Ensemble, is Student Body Second Vice-President and plays trumpet in the school’s marching band.
Band Teacher Susan Cox said Crosby has a natural talent when it comes to music. She said although he mainly plays the trumpet, she sometimes catches him playing the drums or the baritone in class.
“He is soft spoken, but a true leader,” Cox said.
“It’s hard to keep a level head,” Crosby said explaining peer pressure is a challenging part of being a high school student in today’s society.
After high school graduation in May, he plans to attend a four-year university and major in physics. He has not decided on a particular university yet, but is looking at Clemson University, Vanderbilt University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Georgia.
While in college, Crosby said he will decide whether he wants to use his undergraduate degree in physics to pursue such disciplines as aviation or medicine.
Crosby said it is important to do well in school and study hard because it prepares you to enter the real world and face different situations.
He said he will miss teachers, administrators and students he grew up with the most after his high school graduation. Crosby said he will especially miss Donnelly because she assisted him a lot during his high school career.
Another favorite teacher of Crosby is his former Algebra II & III Honors Teacher Wanda B. Fulmore.
“She is a very intelligent, strong minded person who has a good understanding of the students she teaches,” Crosby said.
He said what he remembers the most about his elementary school days are performing in Christmas plays, such as the Nutcracker.
Spanish Teacher Lindsey Robusto said Crosby is a very mature student and will be successful in what he chooses to do in life.
Crosby said incoming freshmen need not follow the “in” crowd and need to participate in activities which will lead them in a positive direction.
His pastimes include, playing different sports, researching various topics on the Internet and traveling with his father, Dr. Charles Crosby Sr.
He said his mother, Sondra Fleming-Crosby raised him and has kept him grounded since day one, and for that he will forever be grateful.
As for the outcome of the 2008 presidential election, Crosby said he is glad Barak Obama won the election and to see a Black man assume the presidency. Crosby was seen working at the polls at Ronald E. McNair Middle School on Election Day.
He said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr is the most inspirational world leader because he paved the way for all races.
Crosby, who describes himself as being optimistic, charismatic and encouraging is a native of Nashville and will celebrate his 18th birthday on November 28.
Kirby has had a love for animals since her childhood days and this love led her to pursue a career as a vet-erinarian.
“I have two dogs, two cats, eight horses and two snakes,” she said with a smile.
Kirby said after graduation in May, she will attend Clemson University for pre-veterinary medicine studies and then attend the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
“There is so much that can pull you off track,” Kirby said explaining life as a high school student. “You have to keep in mind where you want to be in ten years.”
Kirby, 18, describes herself as friendly, out-going and smart. She is a member of the ensemble, National Honor Society and varsity tennis team.
She is a native of Lake City and has found biology to be her favorite academic subject.
Kirby said it is important to her to study hard so that she will be able to attend college and ultimately re-turn to Lake City to practice veterinary medicine.
She said teachers she will miss the most after graduation are Faith Godwin, Fulmore and Galen Humphrey.
Kirby said incoming freshmen need to understand the importance of studying hard and not “goof” off in their early high school years.
“She is a very confident student and it is admirable that she already knows what she wants to do in life,” said Robusto.
Her most memorable elementary school experience was in the fourth grade. She said she caught a honeybee and ran to show her teacher. On her route to her teacher, the honeybee stung her. Fortunately, she said, she is not allergic to bees.
Kirby’s hobbies include tennis, horse back riding and swimming.
“I think Obama can do good things and I’m glad he won,” Kirby said talking about the election.
Kirby is the daughter of Pam and Roger Kirby.