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2016 Valedictorian and Co-Salutatorians

Congratulations to our 2016 Valedictorian, Caleb Cranford, and Co-Salutatorians, Micah Dempsey and Hayley Ford.

Valedictorian-Caleb Cranford

Recently named a National Merit Finalist, Caleb Cranford began his school career as a Little Harding student. In addition to excelling in our most rigorous coursework, Caleb has found time for involvement in the fine arts, in church and community service, and in leadership.

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A familiar face on the Harding stage, Caleb has excelled in music and theatre. Every year since eighth grade, he has been selected by audition for All West honors choirs and All Southwest honors bands. This is his second year to qualify for All State Band and his third year to qualify for All State Choir.  He has appeared in Harding theatre productions since sixth grade, with notable roles including Robert in The Drowsy Chaperone and Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors.

Caleb has been selected for a number of awards that include the Barry Lumpkin Award, Faculty Award, National School Choral Award, Straight A Award (grades 7–11), and Bausch and Lomb Science Award. Caleb has qualified for membership in a number of honor societies: 30+ Club, Science National Honor Society, National Honor Society, International Thespians, Mu Alpha Theta, English National Honor Society.

Caleb is a confident and capable worship leader, often called on to lead worship in chapel and also as part of the praise team at his church. He frequently serves as the worship leader for both youth group and adult services at church.

Co-Salutatorian-Micah Dempsey

Micah Dempsey began at Harding in seventh grade. He has distinguished himself in a number of ways: as a scholar, an athlete, a leader, a journalist, an artist, and a volunteer.

Micah is a member of the 30+ Club and earned Straight A Awards in grades 7–11.  He is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, English National Honor Society, Rho Kappa, National Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. He has run cross country and played tennis at Harding where he has garnered a number of leadership awards. He has served on the journalism staff for two years, producing the award-winning yearbook, the Shield. As a student in his third year of 3D art, Micah has earned an honorable mention in Scholastic Art Awards for his ceramics.

Micah has been involved in a number of church activities including Lads to Leaders, and he has volunteered at HopeWorks, worked as a tutor, and done mission work.

Co-Salutatorian-Hayley Ford

A National Merit Commended Student, Hayley Ford began at Harding as a two-year-old. Known as a student who is successful in a wide array of endeavors, Hayley has been involved in activities ranging from cheerleading to tutoring, from pole vaulting to band, from mission trips to theatre.

Hayley is a member of the 30+ Club, Rho Kappa, National English Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society. She has been involved with Harding Health Scholars and has volunteered as a tutor at Harding and at Streets Ministries. She has taken several mission trips, both domestic and foreign. Hayley is vice president of her senior class and has served as a class officer for the past three years.

A member of the Senior Wind Ensemble, Hayley was selected for All West honors band this year. She played in the orchestra for Drowsy Chaperone and has appeared on the Harding stage as a dancer in several productions.

Hayley was a part of Tennessee’s first STUNT team and was on the varsity cheer squad starting in eighth grade.