Murray plans to pursue career in radiology
Editor’s Note: Franklin’s Future is a regular feature spotlighting a high school senior in Franklin County and what they have planned for life after graduation.
Russellville High School’s Jordan Murray is a standout softball player who has made the most of her high school experience by being involved and setting goals.
During her four years at RHS, the 17-year-old senior has been a part of Future Business Leaders of America, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Christian Students United, Science Club, Spanish Club, Health Occupation Students of America, National Honor Society and she has served as president of Family Career and Community Leaders of America.
In additional to all these clubs and organizations, Murray has also spent the last four years playing softball for RHS, something she said has been one of her favorite experiences in high school.
“Softball is just something I love to do,” she said.
“It gives me time to get to spend with my friends but it’s also something I have really enjoyed. I’m not playing softball in college, so I know this will be something I’ll definitely miss once I graduate.”
In addition to playing softball for her school, Murray has also been a part of North Alabama Thunder, which is a traveling softball team that made it all the way to the World Series in Indiana in the summer of 2010.
“The travel team is a lot of work because you practice three times a week and have games all weekend, but making it to the World Series was something I won’t forget,” she said. “We ended up winning and I got a championship ring so that was pretty special.”
When she isn’t involved in school organizations or playing softball, Murray said she enjoys spending time with her friends both outside of school and out school-related events.
“Some of the best memories I’ve made in high school have been at Friday night football games or pep rallies,” she said.
“That’s one of the great things about Russellville is having so much school spirit. Russellville also has good teachers that are really concerned about helping you and I’ll miss a lot of them after graduation.”
One of the things she has learned from her teachers is that it never hurts to be prepared – something she hopes students younger than her will take note of.
“My advice to underclassmen would be to take all the college classes you can in high school,” she said. “Russellville offers dual-enrollment in biology, English and psychology. It might be hard but it will be worth it in the long run to have those things out of the way.”
Once she graduates in May, Murray has decided to attend Wallace State in Hanceville where she will pursue a degree in radiology.
“I have spent some time at Russellville Hospital through HOSA and I think radiology would be something I would like to do,” she said. “It’s also a way to help people, which is something I wanted to do in my career.”
Murray is no stranger to helping others. She has participated in several community service projects through her time spent in the Franklin County Junior Leadership program that is sponsored through the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
“In Junior Leadership, we visited the Sara Dinsmore Center and I really enjoyed being a part of that,” she said. “I also loved going to The Cottage in Russellville and playing Bingo with the residents and hearing their stories.
“Helping someone else makes you feel good because you know it’s making them happy.”
Once she graduates from college, Murray said she hopes to find a job close to home so she can settle down in Franklin County where she was born and raised.
“This is just home to me and all my family lives here,” she said. “There is a good sense of community and I know the people here and I think this is a good place to live and raise a family.”
Murrary is the daughter of Mark and LeAnne Murrary and she has one brother, Jaceton, who is in the fifth grade.
