RHS senior honored by SADD

By Staff
Rebecca James, Franklin County Times
Russellville High School Senior Sasha Willingham was honored yesterday at a reception after being named SADD's National Student of the Year.
She will serve as the national spokesperson for the organization, and is the only student from Alabama to do so.
Russellville High School Principal Rex Mayfield and Russellville School Board Superintendent Dr. Wayne Ray provided the welcome and offered their congratulations to Willingham.
"This is an outstanding day for us," said Ray. "There is nothing more rewarding for me than recognizing a student's achievements."
"She is a wonderful young lady," added Mayfield. "There are not too many students like Sasha, and I know she will have a great future."
National SADD President and Chief Executive Penny Wells, who has had the opportunity to work with Willingham in the past, also offered her congratulations.
"I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to continue working with Sasha," she said. "This is one of my favorite events of the year, and I am looking forward to a great year of working with Sasha."
"This is monumental and we are looking forward to having (her) on board. This goes to show that just by being who you are, and by working together and lifting up your friends and encouraging them to live a healthy lifestyle, you can really have an impact."
Also in attendance were Paul Housel from Senator Robert Aderholt's office, and Eddie Russell from the North Alabama State Highway Safety Office.
"National student of the year is a huge deal," said Housel.
"Sasha is an extraordinary person and her leadership is outstanding," Russell said.
Alabama SADD Coordinator John Perkins presented Willingham with various letters of congratulations from Congressman Robert Aderholt, State Senator Roger Bedford and Governor Bob Riley.
"I'd like to thank everyone for coming out to support me," Willingham said. "I'm very happy to be the SADD Student of the Year, and I'm really looking forward to this."