Perry Chamber honors student achievement

The Perry Area Chamber of Commerce recognized excellence in the classroom as it presented “Student of the Month” awards for April to three high school students.

“It is heartwarming and encouraging to know what we’ve got coming up in our future leaders,” said Darlene McLendon, chamber president/CEO.

Selected as April’s Student of the Month were Chris Clerkley of Perry High, Jai Brothers-Bembry of Veterans High and Emmy Westmoreland of The Westfield School. All are seniors.

Clerkley played basketball four years at Perry High was captain this year and played small forward and center. He has a scholarship to play at Georgia State University.

“Chris has had an awful burden the past four years,” said Darryl Albritton, Perry High principal. “When you’re 6’8” people expect you to score 50 points a night, and that’s a lot for a young man. But Chris has handled it well.”

Albritton said Clerkley is also a special person.

“Just yesterday I saw a special needs child come up to him, and that says a lot about the special type of personality he has where people are drawn to him, even those at-risk, where they want to be close to him. He just has a big heart and he will be a great ambassador for our school at Georgia State.”

McLendon cited Brothers-Bembry’s work ethic and family ties.

“Even with the rigors of Advanced Placement classes, Jai Brothers Bembry is an outstanding student who makes time to be involved in her community. She works a part-time job and makes time to be with her close-knit family,” McLendon said.

Though she has been at Veterans High just two years, she already has a long list of accomplishments, McLendon added.

“She has made a name for herself with her work ethic, reliability and upbeat demeanor,” she said. “She has been a cheerleader for football and basketball the past two years, serving as the captain of the varsity football cheer squad this past year. She is a three-year member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has served in leadership positions.”

Brothers-Bembry has a 3.896 grade point average and is a third-year honor student. She is also a member of the Youth Council and Kids in Our City leader at Trinity United Methodist Church. She enjoys swimming, bike riding and spending time with her family.

In the fall, she will pursue a degree in chemistry at the University of Georgia. This is only the first step as she plans to continue at the University of Georgia Pharmacy School on her path to becoming a pharmacist.

Westmoreland is the daughter of Josh and Angela Westmoreland and has attended Westfield since pre-kindergarten, McLendon said.

She is loved by her peers and teachers, McLendon continued, and is known as the leader of the cheerleading squad where she supports athletic teams and entertains students with her skill at pep rallies.

Westmoreland is a member of the Beta Club, Tri-Hi-Y Club, Culinary Arts Club, French Club and the Green Team. She was elected by her class and was named to the Homecoming Court the past four years. She is involved with the Perry United Methodist Church where she has been an intern with the children’s department the past six years. She is a high honors graduate and will attend the University of Georgia in the fall.

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