Booker, Dartnell earn valedictorian, salutatorian status at MCHS

By Kathryn Purcell
Managing Editor

    When Morgan County High School students Arthur Julian Booker and Malin Dartnell got to school last Wednesday morning, they had no idea of the honor that was coming their way. Then again, they didn’t expect to be leaving the school in a limousine during the middle of the day, either.
    It came as a surprise to both Booker and Dartnell that they were named valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the Class of 2008.
    After spending some quality time with Morgan County High School Principal Mark Wilson – for reasons unbeknownst to them – they were led out of the office and through the front doors of the school, into a cheering crowd of teachers, school system personnel and their peers, where the announcement was made by Wilson.
    “I thought they were clapping for Julian,” Dartnell said, of her initial reaction to the crowd.
    “I tried not to think anything when we were walking out,” Booker said.
    Booker and Dartnell, along with Wilson, Assistant Principal Pat Lemming, counselors Brian Cook and Leslie Smith and Superintendent Stan DeJarnett, boarded a limousine and headed for Madison ChopHouse Grille, where the newly named valedictorian and salutatorian met their parents, Arthur and Luz Booker and Devon and Mary Ann Dartnell, for lunch, along with the rest of the limousine’s passengers.
    “Parents, we thank you for our 2008 valedictorian Julian Booker and salutatorian Malin Dartnell,” Wilson said. “They are outstanding students and we’re proud of all you’ve done for them. We know you’re proud of them.”
    Booker and Dartnell have both been accepted to the honors program at the University of Georgia. However, both students plan on waiting before making their decision.