Belgreen felt like home for grad Whitten
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.
Recent high school graduate Montana Whitten has gone to eight different schools during her years as a student, but she said she really felt at home when she became a Belgreen Bulldog this past year.
“I really liked the small-school atmosphere at Belgreen,” Whitten said. “It was easy to make the adjustment when I moved here because I was able to get to know everyone faster.”
Whitten didn’t let the fact that she had only been at Belgreen for a year stop her from getting involved in school organizations.
She was a member of the Drama Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Future Business Leaders of America, Beta Club and Faith Followers. She was also the only active female member of the Bulldog Anglers fishing team.
“Probably some of the best memories I made at Belgreen were from things we did with the fishing team,” she said. “I know being part of the fishing team isn’t something girls normally do, but I’ve always liked to fish and I though it would be fun. It was a good experience and I really enjoyed fishing in the tournaments.”
Whitten said she was able to participate in several community service projects through the fishing team as well.
“We built habitats for the fish and we would have clean-up days at the lakes,” she said. “It was good to feel like we were giving back to the community.”
Now that she is officially a high school graduate, Whitten is looking toward her college future.
Having transferred schools so many different times due to her parents’ teaching jobs, it would seem that embarking on another new school experience would be a breeze for her, but she said she’s still anxious about a few things.
“I’m looking forward to starting that new chapter of my life, but I want to try to have an east transition from high school to college,” she said. “I’m planning to go to Northwest-Shoals Community College for the first two years because I think it will be a good transition school.”
Whitten said after she concludes her time at NWSCC, she plans to transfer to the University of North Alabama in Florence where she will major in math secondary education and minor in art.
“I have always loved math so it seemed like the best subject for me to teach,” she said. “And there aren’t as many people who go into that field of teaching so hopefully there will be a bigger field of jobs for me to choose from.”
Once it comes time for her to start her career and find a teaching job, Whitten said she hoped to find one in Belgreen.
“I just really like Belgreen and the fact that everyone knows everyone,” she said. “I think that makes it a great place to raise a family and to grow up, so hopefully I’ll be able to move back here one day. My mom teaches at Belgreen and I know she likes it, so maybe I could teach here, too.”
Whitten is the daughter of Brian and Teresa Whitten. She has two younger siblings, Kellen Whitten and Briley Whitten.
