FAIRVIEW, Ala. — Fairview’s Shelby Stringer collected her diploma in May, and in this interview, she shared some of her favorite memories participating in archery and the band at Fairview High School alongside her friends and teammates.
“The best memory I have from archery was when we made it to Nationals the first year, and that was a really big accomplishment for the archery team. We also qualified for Worlds last year, but because of the timing, we couldn’t go. One of my favorite band memories was when the seniors rode the fire truck. Every year on the last day of band camp, the seniors are allowed to ride on a fire truck and spray their fellow band members with water and as a grand finale, the band director lets us spray him with water and silly string,” Stringer said. “It was scary at first, but over the years, some of them became like my family, and one of them became my boyfriend, who is now my high school sweetheart. What I learned from them is to be yourself, no matter what, and to not let people push you around.”
Shelby soaked up as much as she could from her band director and her archery coach. She will deeply miss being in the band this upcoming year, and she shared her favorite band performance and her favorite archery competition.
“I wouldn’t trade my band director for the world. Mr. Kilgo has a scary face, but he is a sweetheart on the inside. I learned to not take everything to heart and to just go with the flow. Coach Tyler Ayers was amazing. He taught me math when I struggled with it, and to never be afraid to ask for help,” Stringer said. “I will miss the family aspect of band. After we got done with a performance, we would all huddle up, and it was just so much fun. This year’s show was Monster, and it was so much fun. My favorite archery match was Nationals. It’s a little overwhelming, because there are so many people, but it was still fun.”
Shelby kept her favorite high school memory short and sweet, and she absolutely loved her teachers at Fairview.
“My favorite high school memory was meeting my high school sweetheart,” she said. “What made Fairview a special place to go to were the teachers that were there. Some of my favorites were Mrs. Nickels, Mr. Kilgo, Coach Jon Dumas, Mrs. Cheryl Magnum, Mrs. Elizabeth Lockhart, and coach Ayers. They were and still are like a second set of parents, and I will truly miss them. No matter how far I go from Fairview now that I have graduated, they will always have a special place in my heart. I will never forget them or the things that they have taught me over the years. I will truly miss them.”
Shelby made a lot of memories during her time at Fairview, and she talked about her experience participating in the Key Club and the theater.
“I will always remember the school events and activities that our teachers and administrators put on for the students to make our year more enjoyable and memorable,” she said. “I was in the Key Club for two years and the theater for three years. It was really fun being in the Key Club and the theater, and I learned to always help those in need, and have fun with all that you do.”
She gave some advice to those students that will be starting high school in August and talked about the role God has played in her life.
“Always try everything once, because if you don’t, you may regret it after you’re gone. I can’t tell you how many times now that I have graduated that I have told myself I should have done this. I should have done that. Don’t wish your high school years away,” she said. “He has been a big influence in my life with my friendships and in my relationship with my boyfriend. He gave me my best friend, Allidy Hackney.”
Shelby shared a couple of her favorite Bible verses, and she wants people to remember her as someone that sought to help others.
“The first one is John 3:16, and this verse has always been told to me. It keeps me grounded. The second one is Corinthians 13:4-7. My mom told me to use this verse to pray for my future husband and even with my friends to see if they are right. This verse talks about love and friends,” she said. “I want people to remember me as the helpful one.”
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