Celebrating their High School achievements are Wortham’s Valedictorian Madison Newhouse and Salutatorian Bre Kennedy.

Valedictorian

“It is an incredible blessing for me. Knowing that all of my effort over the years has paid off is a relief. I am incredibly appreciative of everyone who has supported me along the way,” said Madison, after learning she had earned the title of Valedictorian with a GPA of 4.67.

Madison is the daughter of Missy and Butch Newhouse.

During her high school career at Wortham, she was a member of Varsity Cheer (4 years, Co-Captain last year and Captain this year), Varsity Volleyball (4 years), Varsity Basketball (1 year), Varsity Softball (4 years), Varsity Tennis (4 years), Varsity Golf (4 years), FCCLA (1 year), Student Council (4 years, 1 year treasurer and president this year), FCA (4 years, 1 year vice president and president this year), Class President (4 years), NHS (2 years, president this year), and Academic UIL (3 years).

Madison received many honors during her time at WHS. Some of those include UIL Regional Qualifier in Headline Writing (1 year), UIL Regional Qualifier in Editorial Writing (2 years), Jonathan Hardin Chapter’s Good Citizen Award, Miss Wortham High School, KWTX Classroom Champion, Regional Qualifier in Tennis (3 years), Regional Qualifier in Golf (3 years), 1st Team All-District for Volleyball (2 years), 2nd Team All-District for Volleyball (1 year), Academic All-District for Volleyball and Softball (4 years), Academic All-District for Basketball (1 year), Bulldog Heart Award for Volleyball (4 Years), MVP for Tennis (3 years), MVP for Golf (2 years), 2nd Team All-District Infielder (1 year), Honorable All-District for Volleyball (1 year), Honorable Mention for Softball (1 year).

Outside of school activities, Madison has stayed busy with Mission Arlington, Wortham First Baptist Church Youth Leadership, Wortham and Mexia Food Pantry, serving as Sunday School Teacher and Worship Service Leader at Peace Ministries Church in Teague, Teague Community Food Bags, Wortham Mini Cheer Camp, Limestone Cancer Support Group Fashion Show, Downtown Wortham Christmas on the Bricks, Reading Books to Elementary Students, Wortham Blues Festival, Wortham Unite Celebration, Ed Hauus and Signature Sound Concert, Miss Texas, Lions Club 100th Annual Celebration. Total volunteer hours for 4 years is 378.5.

Hobbies include going to the movies, watching sports, going to concerts, tanning in the sun, shopping, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Her advice to underclassmen is “Time goes by faster than you think so embrace every moment. You will make mistakes and have tough times, but that is the only way to learn perseverance. Always stay true to yourself!”

Madison said, “Other than my parents, my Volleyball and Tennis coach, Mrs. Whaley, has inspired me the most. She has taught me leadership, integrity, and responsibility. I have not only learned many lessons about Volleyball but also many life lessons that I will take with me for the rest of my life.”

What she most appreciates about Wortham High School is “for all the opportunities that Wortham High School has given me. Throughout high school, I had the opportunity to participate in sports, clubs, honors classes, and dual credit courses, all of which helped to mold me into the person I am today. The staff and teachers at Wortham High School have been incredibly supportive, and I genuinely would not want to be anyplace else.”

Finally, Madison said, “I am incredibly grateful to have been selected as Wortham High School’s valedictorian for 2024. I want to say thank you to anyone that has been an influential part of my high school journey. God bless!”

Madison’s future goal is “to work as a pediatric speech therapist, therefore I intend to pursue a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders at The University of Texas at Tyler, followed by a master’s in speech-language pathology.”

Salutatorian

“It feels absolutely amazing to earn this honor!” said Bre, when hearing the news that she was Salutatorian of her class. Being named the salutatorian is such a surreal and rewarding experience. It’s a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and late-night study sessions. I can’t help but feel a mix of pride, gratitude, and excitement. It’s truly an honor to be recognized among my incredible classmates. I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”

Bre is the daughter of Brandy Kennedy and Chris Kennedy. Proud siblings are Ryleigh and Adalynn Kennedy.

She graduates WHS with a 4.32 GPA.

During her high school years, Bre played Volleyball, Golf, and Track. She played Club Volleyball for 3 years.

She is a member of the National Honor Society, serving as Treasurer; has been involved in FFA for the past 6 years, this year serving as Vice President; participated in the Senior quiz, and livestock judging through Wortham FFA; participated in 2 years of student council, and FCA; and is an active member in 4H in limestone county where she participates in showing livestock.

Bre has taken numerous dual credit classes through Navarro and Tarleton; received Academic Excellence in Agriculture and Chemistry classes; as a sophomore, she advanced to regionals in golf and competed at the regional tournament; and received Cow-Calf BQA Certification, Stocker/Backgrounder BQA certification, BQA Transportation Certification: Farmer and Rancher, and BQA Transportation Certification: Professional Driver.

After hours, Bre stayed busy through participating in a city-wide trash pickup in Dallas at the FFA State convention; working Fairfield & Teague rodeo ticket sales, Wortham’s Blues Fest, along with many concession stands; working the War on Hogs, the Limestone & Freestone county fair & the buyers dinner; and helping out at the Go Texan BBQ cook off.

Hobbies include spending time with family and friends, shopping, all things with animals. She loves doing all things beauty (hair & makeup).

“Since I can remember I have participated in pageants,” she said. “This past year receiving 1st runner up in Freestone County. I also compete in the Limestone County fair queen pageant, where I have received 1st runner up twice and second runner up twice.”

Her advice to underclassmen is, “First, be kind — always. Kindness opens more doors than you can imagine. People remember how you made them feel, not just what you achieved. Secondly, live like there is no tomorrow. Leave no ‘what ifs,’ take every opportunity, cherish every moment with those around us, and treat every second of life precisely.”

“When it comes to inspiration, it’s like a whole community has a hand in shaping who I am today,” said Bre. “It’s not just one person; it’s a tapestry of influences, from my principal’s steadfast leadership to my ag teacher’s practical wisdom, right down to the nurturing support of my mom. My principal showed me the power of leading with integrity and the impact of making thoughtful decisions. Then, there’s my ag teachers, whose passion for agriculture went well beyond high school, which grew my love for it tremendously. They taught me life lessons that I will forever cherish. And my mom, well she’s been my rock. Her endless encouragement and belief in me have been what got me to where I am. She taught me about strength, compassion, and the kind of love that keeps you grounded. Each of the remarkable individuals has contributed to my growth. To everyone who has had an inspiring impact on my life, thank you!”

When asked what she appreciates most about Wortham High School, Bre said, “There are so many things I appreciate about my high school! First and foremost, it’s the sense of community that really stands out. From the teachers to the students, everyone feels like a big family. I also love the wide range of opportunities my school offers. Whether it’s academic clubs, sports teams, or my personal favorite, FFA, there’s something for everyone. It’s a place where you can explore your passions and discover new ones along the way. Another thing I really appreciate is the dedication of the teachers. They go above and beyond to make sure we understand material and succeed. They genuinely care about our growth and are always there to lend a helping hand. Let’s not forget about the memories! From the sporting games to FFA competitions, each experience has been filled with laughter, friendship, and unforgettable memories that will stay with me for a lifetime. Overall, I appreciate the sense of belonging, the opportunities, the amazing teachers, and the memories that my high school has given me. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful for every moment of it.”

Finally, Bre said, “I am deeply thankful for the support and encouragement I’ve received on my educational journey. ‘Education is the key that unlocks the door to endless possibilities. With faith as our guiding light, we can embark on a journey of lifelong learning, knowing that every step we take brings us closer to our dreams.’ Everyone’s belief in me has been a beacon of faith and a reminder of the power of education.”

Bre will be attending Cosmetology School in College Station in the fall, along with going to Blinn to get her business degree.

Graduation

Wortham High School commencement will be Friday, May 24, 2024, beginning at 8:00 p.m. in the Gym.

(Photo by Jennifer Lansford)