Kelton Towery Hits An Academic Homerun!

WEST LINCOLN––You might say that Kelton Blake Towery has really hit a homerun.

Yes, literally and figuratively. Towery, a noted West Lincoln High baseball standout (a pitcher and an infielder), is the school’s valedictorian for the class of 2020. With his long hair, chiselled features and rock-star good looks, Towery is picture-perfect for the role––just like one of those stars from a 1980’s movie.

The Herald caught up this weekend with the son of Jonathan and Angie Towery. The proud mom and her accomplished son told us all about what will surely be a bright future for an even brighter young man.

Young Towery earned an associate in science degree by combining AP (or advanced-placement) courses and taking courses through Gaston College’s dual-enrollment program. By achieving his two-year degree early, Towery will potentially save some $48,000.

He is just as accomplished academically as he is athletically. Towery was an “A” honor roll student throughout his years at WLHS. His high school unweighted GPA (grade-point average) is a perfect 4.00; weighted, 4.656; unofficial, 4.731; and his Gaston College GPA is likewise a 4.00, as he told The Herald.

“Whereas I technically graduated from college before I will graduate from high school, it never bothered me that I wouldn’t walk with my Gaston College class,” he revealed. “However, the thought of not getting to have a traditional ceremony with my high school peers has been a real disappointment.”

Towery was referring to State-mandated virus-related restrictions that have put the kybosh on such commencement ceremonies (amongst a host of other things) throughout most of America.

“Some people may not understand how important that is to all of the other seniors and me,” he said. “But it’s part of our journey that we have looked forward to. I know that there’s always a positive way to look at things. Yes, I am thankful that we all have our good health. But we are not selfish for wanting to have that moment with our class, with our people.

“This pandemic has been challenging and has had me feeling many different ways,” he added. “I miss my classmates, and I miss my teachers. Although I know graduation is about to happen, I really wish that we could just go back to school to have some last good times and to have that closure.”