Bladen County Schools proudly announces the valedictorians, salutatorians, and junior marshals for East Bladen High School, West Bladen High School, and marshals for Bladen Early College High School. These students have demonstrated exceptional academic dedication, earning some of the highest honors in their respective schools.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian Honors
The valedictorian and salutatorian titles are awarded based on weighted grade point averages (GPA) at the end of the first semester of senior year. The valedictorian represents the student with the highest GPA, while the salutatorian holds the second-highest ranking. These students have consistently excelled in their coursework, setting a high standard for academic achievement.
The Class of 2026 honorees are as follows:
Bladen Early College High School
Valedictorian: Jenna Dove
Salutatorian: Joshua Knuth
East Bladen High School
Valedictorian: Jackson Bridgers
Salutatorian: Dajour Davis
West Bladen High School
Valedictorian: Jonah Bryan
Salutatorian: Michael Reyes Maldonado
Junior Marshals
Junior marshals represent the top academic students from the junior class and serve as ambassadors at important academic events, including graduation ceremonies. Selection is based on students’ weighted GPAs at the end of the third nine-week grading period. The junior marshal with the highest GPA is named chief marshal. At Bladen Early College High School, sophomores and freshmen qualify for the marshal honor due to their accelerated course track.
The following students have been selected as junior marshals for the Class of 2026:
Bladen Early College High School
Natalia Zarate Flores (Junior), Chief Marshal
Mallory McDuffie (Junior)
Awnnica Ringer (Junior)
Anthony Mena Martinez (Sophomore)
Marco Zarate Flores (Sophomore)
Phoenix Nickol, Phoenix (Freshman)
Sairy Ramos George (Freshman)
East Bladen High School Junior Marshals
Claire Devane, Chief Marshal
Tatum Allen
Janice Alvarez-Nunez
Annika Bass
Ta’Mani Brown
Taylor Dowless
Jonah Duncan
Tyler Eason
Tyliah Freeman
Justin Garrett
Jaxon Hair
Emily Hancock
Jayce Hatcher
Ashton Howell
Natalie Kropp
Ethan Metz
Jaimee Perkins
Jamiya Peterson
Marlee Potter
Ruby Stephens
West Bladen High School Junior Marshals
Greer Pope, Chief Marshal
Ethan Bourhill
Ryleigh Brothers
Robert Bryan
Charlotte Cookson
Kimberly Dowless
Karlee Gause
Lydia Harris
Jamie Harvey
Carrie Jones
Payton Kinlaw
Cylee Lugenbell
Alajeh McMillan
Liberty Osborne
Wendy Sandoval-Barrios
Melissa Sandoval Garcia
Emma Singletary
Connor Sykes
Aidan Trinidad
Justin Van Valkenburg
Bladen County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jason Atkinson congratulated the honorees stating, "These students represent the very best of Bladen County Schools. Achieving the distinction of valedictorian, salutatorian, or junior marshal requires years of dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence both inside and outside the classroom. Their accomplishments reflect not only their own hard work, but also the support of their families, teachers, and school communities who have encouraged them every step of the way. We are incredibly proud of these students and the example they set for others. They embody the values of leadership, responsibility, and academic excellence that define our schools. We look forward to seeing the many ways they will continue to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond."
Bladen County Schools commends these students for their hard work and academic achievements. Their dedication exemplifies the district’s commitment to excellence in education.