Ozbirn named RBHS valedictorian
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.
Red Bay senior Priscilla Ozbirn has had a well-rounded high school experience.
Ozbirn has been a member of the Spanish Club, Leo Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, SAFE, Future Farmers of America, Beta Club, Science Club, the RBHS Hall of Fame, annual staff, the school’s tennis team and the senior Class Who’s Who list as Most Idealist.
She was a member of Franklin County Junior Leadership where she participated in community service and community awareness events.
“I enjoyed being part of Junior Leadership because I got to meet students from other schools across the county that I wouldn’t have met otherwise and I was able to help out in my community.”
Ozbirn was also recently named the valedictorian for the class of 2013.
“It was definitely a goal of mine to be the valedictorian when I found out it was a possibility,” she said.
“I was excited when I found out I’d actually gotten it because I knew it would help me in the long run.”
Ozbirn said she believes it’s good to get involved in high school because it can help teach you many lessons you will need once you’re older.
“I’ve always gone to Red Bay so we pretty much know everyone, but being involved in clubs and activities helps teach you how to interact and work well with others,” she said.
Ozbirn said she also thinks it’s important to stay on top of your schoolwork.
“Even if you aren’t wanting to be at the top of the class, it’s still important to take school seriously from the very beginning of high school because it can catch up with you later if you didn’t.”
Ozbirn said she has made some great memories in high school including a lot of the school’s sporting events.
“The thing that sticks out the most to me is when the girls basketball team made it to state,” she said. “It was so exciting at school and everybody went to the game to support the team.”
Ozbirn said she’s enjoyed her time at RBHS and the perks of going to a smaller school.
“With class sizes being smaller, teachers are able to work with you more and give you more of the help you need,” she said. “I’ll miss some of the teachers and my friends once I graduate.”
But Ozbirn said there were also things about the next chapter of her life that she was looking forward to as well.
“I’m ready to meet new people and just be somewhere different,” she said. “It’s exciting to think about all the changes.”
Ozbirn said she planned to attend the University of Alabama in Birmingham because of the programs they offer there.
“UAB is somewhere I’ve always wanted to go,” she said. “They have a good school and it will be nice to live in a bigger city for a change.”
Ozbirn said she planned to major in chemistry and minor in math, which she will use towards a career in forensic sciences.
“I’ve always loved math, so I knew I wanted to have a career that utilized that subject somehow,” she said.
“I really think I would enjoy forensics, especially the criminal aspect. It would be interesting to use science and math to solve crimes.”
Ozbirn said once she graduates from college she plans to stay in the Birmingham area or another big city.
“I don’t think there would be much of an opportunity for me to find a job in my field unless I lived in a bigger city,” she said.
“Plus, there are just more things to do.”
Ozbirn is the daughter of Karen and Scott Ozbirn and she has an older sister, Jacklyn Jennings.
