Hester enjoyed ‘small school’ experience
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 Emily Hester has experienced what it’s like to attend a big school where you are just a face in the crowd and a smaller school where everybody knows your name, and for this 17-year-old, she said she would choose the smaller school any day.
The smaller school that stole Hester’s heart is Red Bay High School. She first started attending RBHS when she was in the sixth grade and she said the change ended up being a welcome one.
“I came from a school where I didn’t know half the people who went there,” Hester said. “I liked the fact that after I got settled in at Red Bay, I got to know everybody and everybody got to know me. It made it feel more like home.”
Hester said she became involved in the youth group at her church and in several clubs at school like Health Occupation Students of America, Students Against Destructive Decisions, the Future Farmers of America quartet, the tennis team and the cheerleading squad.
“I thought it was good to get involved with different activities because it keeps you busy, keeps you out of trouble and it helps you get scholarships,” she said. “A lot of the clubs were fun, too. Some of the best memories I had were from cheering at pep rallies and Friday night football games. We always had such a good time.”
Hester said she would miss the laid back atmosphere at Red Bay and seeing all the friends she has made over the past several years.
“High school was a really fun time, but there are some things about college that I think will be fun, too,” she said. “I’m looking forward to having a little more freedom and to finally stating that next chapter and working towards my future.”
Hester plans to attend Northwest-Shoals Community College this fall on an ambassador scholarship.
“Northwest was a good option for me for the first couple of years because it’s close to home, it’s cheaper, and I’m not 100 percent sure what I want to major in yet, so it’ll be a good place for me to get my basics.”
Hester said recently she had been leaning toward majoring in business and early childhood development so she could open her own daycare.
“I really love kids and I think I would enjoying taking care of them and teaching them things,” she said. “I also think I would like owning my own business and running it myself.”
If she has her way, Hester said she would like to remain in Red Bay after she finishes school and is ready to start her career.
“You just have your own privacy here, which is great,” she said. “I just love the small town atmosphere and knowing the people you bump into at the store or in town. I think that type of place is a good place to live and raise a family.”
When she isn’t busy planning for her future, Hester said she enjoys playing tennis and singing.
“I just enjoy having a good time and I like spending time with my family and friends,” she said.
Hester is the daughter of Tony and Rhonda Hester and Susan Cantrell. She has three older siblings: Sarah Hester, Kyle Palmer and Leah Palmer.
