Francis Marion School’s graduation exercises were held in the Albert Turner Senior Gymnasium on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Bruce Jackson, principal
Dr. Theresa King, assistant principal
Ms. Sherry Saulsberry, assistant principal
Mrs. Allison Taylor, school counselor
Mr. Donnis Cowart, senior sponsor
Mrs. Donnita Tucker, senior sponsor
Valedictorian:
Taleedra Arnaye Smith is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lee and Marilyn Smith and the granddaughter of Mrs. Estella Hinkle, and Mr. Paul Fagins Sr. She is also the granddaughter of the late Ms. Rosie Lee Smith, Mr. Wiliam Clarence Sawyer Sr. and Mr. Tommy Lee Hinkle Sr. Taleedra is an outstanding, well rounded student at Francis Marion School. She is a member of various organizations as well as a leader. She is the President of Future Business Leaders of America, President of Lambda Iota Tau, Secretary of the Student Government Association, and is a member of the National Honors Society, Girl Scouts, Drama Club, and is a Student Ambassador. Taleedra has also been the Class President since 2018 (9-12th grade years). In addition to the numerous organizations she’s involved in, she has managed to maintain straight A’s while participating in multiple extracurricular activities. Taleedra has been cheering for ten years and was named captain of the Francis Marion School Varsity Cheerleaders 2021-22. Cheering has always been her pride and joy. She was the Co-Captain and a player on the first ever Francis Marion volleyball team for 2021-22, a band member for three years, and a track and field member for four years. After high school, Miss Smith plans to further her education at the Univesity of Alabama in Birmingham. She will pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and she plans to become a Labor/Delivery Nurse. Miss Smith knows that with God, all things are possible. Her favorite quote is: “I’ve learned that dreams can be challenging, but always worth the success they can bring.” – Darren Hardy
Salutatorian:
Kristalyn Debbiana Steadman (Salutatorian) is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carlos and Kristie Steadman. Kristalyn is a very active and diverse student at Francis Marion. She is involved in numerous clubs and organizations, including FBLA, Lambda Iota Tau, and the National Honors Society. She is an excellent student-athlete, from cheering and showing her spirit for more than 7 years and being named co-captain for the year 2021-2022, to running track and cross country for 4 years and serving as captain for the year 2021-2022. She helped start Francis Marion’s very first volleyball team and served as their captain! As you can see, she has great leadership skills. With all of these achievements, none of this would be possible without God on her side. After graduation, Kristalyn will be attending Marion Military Institute where she received a full ride for track and field and an ROTC scholarship. After graduating from MMI, she will commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. She plans to transfer to Florida A&M or the University of Alabama at Birmingham to continue her career in track, and obtain a degree in nursing. Her career plans are to become a nurse practitioner and open her own practice.
