Seniors of the Month

Jada Johnson stands out as an exceptional leader whose service, compassion, and commitment to inclusion have made a lasting impact at Smithfield High School. As President of Best Buddies during her senior year, Jada has gone beyond holding a title to actively foster belonging and meaningful connections for students across grade levels. She consistently leads with empathy and purpose, ensuring that every student feels valued, supported, and included in the life of the school.  In addition to Best Buddies, Jada serves as a Student Advisory Representative, advocating for her peers and contributing thoughtfully to school-wide discussions. Her involvement in Debate Club, Key Club, Green Club, and as a Drama Club Helper reflects a student who engages fully—academically, creatively, and civically. Jada takes initiative in everything she does, from organizing a celebration and activity day for Best Buddies students to developing a schedule of events for the current school year. Her positive energy, creativity, and genuine care for others have earned her deep respect throughout the school community. “Jada has a natural way of stepping up and taking charge, yet she does so with patience and understanding. Whether working with our special needs students or supporting her peers, she shows genuine care and dedication making a lasting impact on everyone around her.”—Alyssa Canady, Art Teacher.  After graduation, Jada plans to pursue a career in law and has applied to Virginia Commonwealth University, Christopher Newport University, and the University of Virginia.

Lana stands out for her exceptional balance of academic excellence, leadership, and sustained service. She demonstrates strong performance across all subject areas, pairing intellectual curiosity with collaboration and initiative as a group leader in the classroom. Her consistent work ethic, resilience, and thoughtful engagement reflect a student who not only excels academically, but also elevates the learning environment for those around her.  Beyond academics, Lana’s long-term commitment to leadership highlights her reliability and dedication to her school community. She has served as SGA Vice President for four years, Cheer Captain, and an active member of numerous academic and service organizations. Whether leading peers, supporting teammates, or contributing behind the scenes, Lana approaches every role with maturity, loyalty, and a genuine desire to serve. Her steady presence and positive influence have made a lasting impact throughout her high school career.  “From the moment I taught her in Honors Earth Science, it was clear that she is a student of rare character and drive. She brings passion, resilience, and leadership into everything she does—whether leading a group in the classroom, balancing rigorous academics with countless extracurricular commitments, or serving her community. She is the kind of student who steps up without being asked, supports others quietly and consistently, and uses challenges as motivation rather than excuses. It has been a privilege to watch her grow into a confident, compassionate leader, and I have no doubt she will continue to make a positive impact wherever she goes.”
—Deb McManaway, Science Teacher.  After graduation, Lana plans to attend Virginia Tech in the fall, where she hopes to major in communications.

Jeremy King distinguishes himself through a strong balance of academic responsibility, authentic leadership, and character. He approaches his coursework with consistency and maturity, particularly excelling in history and language-based classes. In science courses, Jeremy has taken on leadership roles such as serving as a lab captain, where he ensured every group member had a meaningful role and felt included. His respectful demeanor, confidence, and commitment to teamwork are evident in both academic and collaborative settings. Beyond the classroom, Jeremy is a trusted leader as a multi-year varsity captain in both football and soccer. He leads by example rather than ego, creating positive, supportive environments where teammates feel valued and motivated. Whether organizing class groups, distributing responsibilities fairly, or setting high standards on the field, Jeremy consistently demonstrates accountability, initiative, and a genuine concern for the success of others. His ability to balance academics, athletics, and leadership makes him especially deserving of recognition. “I have had the absolute privilege of knowing Jeremy since the first grade, when he was a student in my class during my first year of teaching. Jeremy is intelligent, athletic, talented and a friend to all. He also has the most genuine heart and is incredibly kind and humble. He has always been respectful, grateful, polite and is the definition of a hard worker. He faces challenges with strength and perseverance. I am beyond proud of you, Jeremy. I know you will continue to succeed in all that you pursue.”—Mrs. Erin Guimoye, English Language Teacher.  After graduation, Jeremy plans to study business or accounting at Christopher Newport University, where he also hopes to continue his football career.

Reagan Bresnahan has been a consistent academic standout throughout her time at Windsor High School, continually challenging herself through Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment coursework. She approaches even the most demanding subjects with discipline, persistence, and intellectual curiosity, pushing herself to master material that stretches her abilities. Her strong work ethic and love of learning are evident in both subjects she naturally excels in and those that require extra determination and focus. Beyond the classroom, Reagan has made a lasting impact through her leadership on the Debate Team. She has been instrumental in running the Public Forum Division, earning two consecutive state tournament berths while also serving as division captain. In this role, Reagan has focused on developing new team members, routinely providing guidance, feedback, and encouragement. Her willingness to prioritize mentoring—often stepping back from competition to support younger debaters—has strengthened the entire program and allowed coaches to support other divisions more effectively. “Reagan has also thrown herself into a leadership role with the National Honors Society. NHS secretary, according to Ms. Whittacre and Ms. Washington, is the most demanding position as the secretary has to keep track of member hours. Reagan has also been instrumental in planning and expanding NHS activities.”
—Lana Booth, School Counselor. Reagan plans to pursue a major in Classical Studies and is applying to a joint program that would allow her to study at both William & Mary and St. Andrews University in Scotland.

Tremel has demonstrated sustained academic excellence, impressive extracurricular involvement, and meaningful service to her school and community. While preparing for a future major in Biology, she has successfully balanced a challenging course load with leadership roles and volunteer commitments, showing exceptional maturity and responsibility. Her achievements in public speaking and theater at the regional, super-regional, and state levels highlight both her talent and her dedication to developing her craft.  Mel’s compassion for others is equally noteworthy. She has volunteered at multiple blood drives, delivered meals to families in need, supported educational programs for young children, and provided care and comfort to hospice and dementia patients within her family. Her reliability shines through her work as a babysitter and in organizing a church fundraiser, further demonstrating initiative and service-minded leadership.  “Mel is one of the stars of the senior class: not only is she gifted in the realm of academics, she has shown her impressive speech skills and joined the theater and forensics teams in state level competitions. Mel is also one of the kindest, friendliest, and most genuine young adults in the school. No matter where she goes in life, she will continue to represent Windsor High as a graduate embodying the high qualities that we hope to instill in our students.”—Mr. Burgess, History.  While Mel plans to study Biology in college, she is still in the decision-making phase for selecting the school she will attend.

Jackson is an exceptional student whose strong academic performance, leadership, and dedication to service make him an outstanding representative of Smithfield High School. In addition to excelling in the classroom, Jackson is deeply involved in the school community through varsity soccer, the JROTC Raider Team, the swim team, and the National Honor Society. As the JROTC Battalion Commander, he has earned the respect of his peers and instructors through his integrity, initiative, and ability to inspire others. Under Jackson’s leadership, the SHS JROTC Raider Team delivered top performances across multiple events at the 4th Brigade Best-of-Best Qualifier Competition, including areas such as physical fitness, endurance challenges, and team strength events. Their hard work culminated in a 1st place finish in the Mixed Team Division, securing a spot at the Best-of-Best Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in March.  Lt. Col. Badoian shared these words about Jackson: “Jackson Young is an exceptional student-athlete and a highly effective leader. As Battalion Commander, he leads by example—supporting his peers, accepting and applying feedback, and consistently demonstrating integrity and determination. His vision and drive were instrumental in establishing the co-ed Raider Team, which earned a first-place finish at its very first Best-of-Best qualifier. Jackson’s character, work ethic, and leadership set the standard for our program and will serve him well in his future military career.”  After graduation, Jackson plans to attend either the Coast Guard Academy or Norwich University, where he hopes to develop as a military officer while continuing to play collegiate soccer.

Nicholette stands out as an outstanding student whose academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and personal growth set her apart. She has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to learning, excelling in rigorous subjects, especially math, science, and history—through hard work, focus, and a genuine love of discovery.  Her academic success is matched by her involvement in school life. Through her participation in VHSL Theatre and BETA Club, Nicholette balances analytical thinking with creativity, empathy, and leadership. Her work on stage has helped her come out of her shell and connect more deeply with others, while her service in BETA reflects her dedication to teamwork and community. In the classroom, Nicholette’s curiosity shines through her achievements in Chemistry and Physics, where she consistently applies thoughtful analysis and precision in her work. She has taken and excelled in numerous Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses, all while supporting her classmates and contributing to a positive, encouraging learning environment.  Her teacher, Scott Graham, shared these words about her: “Nicholette is a remarkable young lady who excels in everything she does. She has taken and excelled in a remarkable number of dual enrollment and AP courses over her academic career, and is always there to help other students in her class. Nicholette makes Windsor a better place.”  After graduation, Nicholette hopes to attend the University of Virginia, where she plans to study Astrophysics.

Cydney is an exceptional student who exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, and integrity in everything she does. She is known for her strong work ethic and her ability to balance a demanding course load with her many responsibilities outside the classroom. As Senior Class President, Cydney leads her peers with confidence, organization, and a genuine commitment to fostering school spirit and unity. Her leadership has been instrumental in strengthening pride and connection across the school community. Most notably, she played a key role in planning and organizing this year’s Homecoming events, coordinating with staff and student organizations, overseeing logistics, and ensuring every detail came together seamlessly. Her creativity, teamwork, and dedication helped make Homecoming a tremendous success and demonstrated her passion for bringing people together to create lasting memories. Her teacher, Allison Simon, shared these words about Cydney: “Cydney Wells has been my student for only two months, but it is obvious to me that she is making the most of her educational experience while here. As a student, she is always attentive and engaged during instruction, and the quality of her work shows her depth of understanding. We spoke of her aspirations to pursue a degree in Environmental Engineering, and I believe that this young lady will succeed at this and other future endeavors as well.” After graduation, Cydney plans to attend Virginia Tech or Georgia Tech to pursue a degree in Industrial or Environmental Engineering.