Georgiana High School Guidance Counselor Janice Daves and student Tony Davison look over some literature from the University of Alabama. The GHS senior recently scored a 33 on his ACT test and has been awarded a full-tuition scholarship to the medical school at UA where he intends to study next Fall.

Photo by Robert Blankenship

Tony Davison has always been committed to bettering himself, not just academically but in all facets of life. Lately, he has began to reap the rewards of that dedication especially when he scored a 33 on the ACT test.

The Georgiana High School senior who loves to read and hang out with friends has scored the highest ACT score in the county and has already accepted a scholarship to enter the medical school at the University of Alabama.

Davison said that he took the test very seriously and put many hours into preparing for the test.

"I studied pretty hard," he said. "I probably studied one hour a day for about a month. But, it paid off and I am very pleased with my score."

As graduation day nears, Davison said that he is constantly being reminded about the reasons that he has worked so hard on his education.

"When I was growing up I would get frustrated with my parents for staying on me about my grades. But now, I am starting to see the payoff and I have a better understanding of why they wanted me to study," he said.

Grades is not the only thing important to Davison. He was very active in many aspects of campus life at Georgiana High School. He participated in varsity basketball, baseball and was a member of the high school band where he served as their drum major for two years.

"When I was younger, I was more of an introvert. Then I began playing in city league baseball and that opened up a lot of other things. I think that the extra curricular activities that I have been a part of have helped make me who I am and is one of the reasons for my success," he said.

He has been a member of the math team; plays the saxophone in concert band; played varsity basketball for five years and was captain in 1997-98; played varsity baseball for two years; served as National Honor Society President and Junior Class President; was a Boy's State Representative for GHS; a HOBY Representative; member of the Future Business Leaders of America; a Key Club member and served as a computer assistant to teachers.

The successes that Davison has had in high school has paved the way to a bright future in college. He turned down a full-paid scholarship to the University of Oklahoma's engineering school because he wants to study medicine.

"Earlier I had wanted to be a chemical engineer. But, after attending a Rural Health Scholars Program I decided

I wanted to be a doctor. It really appealed to me and the things that I would like to do," Davison said.

To go along with his scholarship to the University of Alabama, Davison also is a National Achievement Finalist which recognizes members of minorities who are high achievers. If he is chosen he could earn $20,000 in scholarship money.

In addition, he has recently been nominated to the Birmingham Post-Herald 2000 Alabama All-State Academic Team and the USA Today All-Academic Team. He will learn on Feb. 25 if he has made the USA Today team.

Georgiana High School Principal Roland Pettie said that Davison is the type of student that everyone can be proud of and that his excellence in academics is exceeded only by his character.

"He is one of the finest young men I've had the pleasure of being around," Pettie said. "Not only is he an excellent student, but he is a well-rounded individual. He is a good person and a delight to be around. Whatever he chooses to do in the future I am sure he will be successful."

The future for Davison is just around the corner. Though he is excited about college and studying medicine, he admits that there are a lot of things he will miss about GHS.

"I am going to miss everything-being around my classmates and teachers everyday and just hanging around with my friends. But, I am very excited about college and feel fortunate to have this opportunity," he said.