By Haley Mitchell Godwin

Crenshaw Christian Academy (CCA) announced Kinley Abigail Compton as valedictorian and Tanna Lee Singleton as salutatorian for the class of 2023. Both are students who have proven academic and leadership excellence throughout their time at the academy.

According to Kristie Garner, senior sponsor and high school English teacher at CCA, the students are very deserving. 

 “Kinley and Tanna are two of the hardest working students I have ever known,” Garner said. “There is no task that they shy away from whether academically or in the community when others need help. Both of them are wonderful young ladies and there is no doubt that they will go out into the world and do big things.”

Compton is the daughter of Tom and Monica Compton and has attended CCA since 8th grade. She took on leadership roles that included SGA parliamentarian and Excel Club ambassador. Compton is on the all A honor roll and her membership in the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta and Quill & Scroll further underscores her intellectual prowess. She will graduate with 32 college credit hours and over 200 hours of community service under her belt. 

Beyond her academic accomplishments, Kinley has been active in a variety of extracurricular activities. She served as a yearbook staff member and was on the homecoming court her sophomore and senior year. She has been recognized for her leadership and talent as a cheerleader throughout her five years cheering at CCA, being selected as a three-time All-American cheerleader and a 2022 Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) All Star Cheerleader. Additionally, she played volleyball in ninth through 12th grade, basketball in ninth through 10th grade, and softball in the ninth grade.

Looking toward the future, Compton has plans to attend the University of Alabama to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Her ultimate goal is to become a nurse anesthetist, a profession that will allow her to help others in a meaningful way.

“Helping people is a passion of mine and growing up on a farm has shown me that you can put your passions to work throughout your life,” Compton said. “I love living in a rural area and I hope to continue to live here even if I take a job outside the county.”

In her free time, Compton enjoys hunting, fishing, and anything that takes her into the outdoors. 

Singleton is an outdoors woman who loves to fish and hunt. She is the daughter of David and Jodie Singleton and has attended CCA since ninth grade. 

Singleton has held leadership positions such as Student Government Association treasurer and Excel Club ambassador. She received a scholarship from South Alabama Electric and from Alabama Ag. Singleton was a member of the yearbook staff and her academic excellence shows through her membership in the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta and Quill & Scroll. She was also on the all A honor roll for the year. Singleton was involved in every sport available to her throughout high school including volleyball, basketball, softball, and cheerleading. She is a 2023 All-American Cheerleader, and a 2022 AISA All Star Cheerleader, a 2022 AISA All Star Volleyball Player, a 2022-2023 AISA All Star Basketball Player, and a 2023 AISA All Star Softball Player. She was part of the 2023 AISA All Tournament softball team, the 2022-2023 AISA Class A State Runner Up basketball team, and the 2021-2023 AISA Class A State Runner Up softball team.

Singleton graduated high school with an associate degree from Lurleen B. Wallace that she received May 12. Her future plans are to attend Auburn and become a small animal veterinarian. 

“We live on a farm and my entire family loves animals,” Singleton said. “We have Boykin Spaniels, an Australian Shepherd and a lot of hunting dogs. I want to be able to take care of people’s animals and treat them how I would want mine to be treated and I hope to open up a vet clinic in Pike County where I am from.”