Perry Chamber names Students of the Month

The Perry Area Chamber of Commerce announced the Students of the Month for September. The recipients, Sydney Barker, Jacob Turner and Christopher Watts, were presented the award on Sept. 26 at the Chamber Office with their principals, family, and friends in attendance along with 2013 Chamber Chair Beth McLaughlin, members of the Board of Directors, and President/CEO Stacy Campbell.

Sydney Barker is the Student of the Month for The Westfield School. A student at Westfield since kindergarten, Sydney has challenged herself to be involved in all facets of school – from student government to environmental club to different sports teams to mission trips. Within each of these areas, Sydney always gives her best and knows that she’s representing not only Westfield but her family as well.

On the softball diamond, Sydney is a tenacious competitor, and her skills have been noticed across the state as she has been honored by being a member of the All-Region Softball Team and a member of the All-State Softball team.

But Sydney is so much more than just a great athlete – she’s also a student who wants to give back. One of her fondest memories at Westfield was the time she went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with the school’s FCA Club. While there, of course, she played some softball, but she also remembers being able to be a witness for God’s Word. She has also volunteered by working at the Westfield summer camps where she has served as a positive role model for our younger kids.

With college calling, Sydney is interested in pursuing a career as an environmental scientist. She’s passionate about protecting the earth and has practiced her own recycling efforts by being a four-year member of Westfield’s Green Team, the school’s environmental club. She is hoping to continue her softball at the college level.

Christopher Watts is a senior at Veterans High School. He is the son of Johnny and Dena Watts of Bonaire. Chris is the Captain of the Warhawk football team and plays tight end. He is also a member of the fellowship of Christian Athletes and partner’s club. Chris is nearing completion on the rank of Eagle Scout. He plans to attend Mercer University and play football. He has not determined his exact major, but plans to go into a medical field.

Jacob Turner is a senior at Perry High School, where he will graduate this May. His Parents are Bob and Beth Turner. He is a member of the Panther Regiment Marching Band, and has been the Percussion Captain in his junior and senior years. Jacob has been very active in the PHS Drama and Theatre programs since ninth grade, where he has enjoyed roles in one-act play competitions and spring musical productions. He is also a member of the Boy’s Quartet for the PHS Literary Team, in which he sings bass. He was recently elected as the National Honor Society President.

This past summer, Jacob was selected to attend the prestigious Governor’s Honors Program at Valdosta State University, where he was a social studies major. Just this month, he has been chosen by State School Superintendent John Barge to be one of just 50 students to serve on the Student Advisory Council for the Georgia Department of Education, for which he was also nominated as Governor. Jacob is also a proud graduate of the Chamber of Commerce Perry Youth Leadership program, which he completed during his junior year.

For the past four years, Jacob has served as the Worship and Music Leader at the Crosswalk Student Ministry of Perry First Baptist Church, and has participated in two international mission trips to Nicaragua as well as numerous mission projects in the community through First Baptist Church and Perry Volunteer Outreach. Jacob’s future plans are to attend the University Of Georgia or Georgia Southern and seek an undergraduate degree in political science with a minor in history or economics and then to attend law school and earn a law degree.

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