GOOD HOPE, Ala. – Good Hope senior Luke Shelton recently collected his high school diploma and in this interview, he shared some of his favorite high school memories and talked about what made Good Hope a special place for him.
“Some of my favorite high school memories were when we decorated the senior float, when I played at Baccalaureate, and walking out air guitaring at graduation,” Shelton said. “Everyone just made it feel like home. No matter who you were, you were always welcomed in by someone. The teachers always made a class easy to go to. In my 13 years of school, I never hated a class. The teachers always greeted us as we walked in the class. I would just say walking in felt like a safe home.”
Luke will always cherish memories that he made with everyone at Good Hope. He learned a lot of important things during his time as a Raider, and he shared some advice with the students that will be starting high school in August.
“I’ll remember all of the memories that I made with everyone, whether it was in class, at break, or even at a school event. I’ll definitely miss seeing everyone every week,” Shelton said. “What I learned the most during my time at Good Hope is how to treat everyone with kindness, and love and respect everyone the same as I would with my family. Some advice that I would give to the students that will be starting high school in August is to enjoy every second they have. Go to games, sit in the student section, and go to after school events, but be careful with the things that you decide to do in high school. Don’t start drama. Just have fun but be smart about it. Don’t stress over classes. You will be okay. Always do your best and try your hardest.”
Luke earned a scholarship to Wallace State and he plans to attend there before going to Athens State University where he will major in Artist Management/Studio Management. He also talked about a couple of role models that helped him get to this point in his life.
“Receiving a scholarship from Cullman Savings Bank meant so much to me. We all know how expensive college is, and this helps me out tremendously with the expenses,” he said. “Coach Griffin Morris showed me how to be a man of God with everything that he does. He is so loving and kind, and he is easy to reach out to. Mr. Greg Thomas and I shared a love for rock and roll together. He was always so caring to the students and is always there if you need him.”
God has played an enormous role in Luke’s life, and he shared his favorite Bible verse.
“He means more than you know. He’s guided me through everything. He is the way, the truth, and the life of everything,” he said. “Philippians 4:13: ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me’. This quote guides me through everyday life. If you trust in Him, He will make a way for you. Call upon His name, and He will give you strength and guidance.”
Luke tried his best to help lead others to God and wants to be an inspiration for younger kids.
“If I led anyone to Christ or showed them how to love, I give glory to God, because I would not know how to do that without His grace,” he said. “I hope I showed them how to have fun and try not to care about what other people think. Just be who you are. I want people to remember me as the guy who always has his guitar with him and is quick to listen.”
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