Words by Anna Lee Vaughn | Images by Justin Hunter
Jasper High School students Maitland Baxter and Luke Tuggle were voted Mr. & Ms. Jasper High School for the 2023-2024 school year.
Maitland and Luke are involved in various school sports and organizations, have an incredible work ethic and big ambitions for the future.
Maitland Baxter
Maitland Baxter is a JHS varsity cheerleader and tennis player with a 4.5 GPA.
She is involved in the Key Club, Interact Club, Ambassadors Club, Spanish Club, Student Council, Honor Society, and Beta Club. She is a former member of Walker County Youth Leadership and a current member of the Chamber of Commerce of Walker County’s Junior Ambassadors Program. She is also involved in community service through her various school activities and her church, Jasper’s First Baptist Church.
Maitland received the title of Ms. Jasper High School by receiving the most votes for female Class Favorite, which she describes as ‘surreal.’
“I love being a member of a team, getting to cheer for our football and basketball teams, and competing for our school. I love being part of the tennis team, playing tennis, and cheering on my friends. It feels like a family because we’re with each other so often,” says Maitland.
Maitland plans to job shadow local pediatric dentists this summer before attending Auburn University to study biology and pre-dentistry, then the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to become a pediatric dentist.
Luke Tuggle
Luke Tuggle serves as the Activities Director, Vice President of Key Club, and an Editor for the Yearbook. He is a member of the ACT 30+ Club, Yearbook Club, and Student Council.
Luke is also involved in the Technical Department of Center Stage, where he helps with lights, sound, and backstage production for the program’s performances. As a class officer and member of the Student Council, Luke has a hand in leading the homecoming float, fundraising, and planning school events. He is a former member of Walker County Youth Leadership and a current member of the Chamber of Commerce of Walker County’s Junior Ambassadors Program.
“My favorite is Key Club because I get to interact with many different people, whether in the school or outside of the school. It gets me out of my house a lot, and I can help a lot of people. This school year, I would say I’m most looking forward to just enjoying my last few months with friends before we graduate,” says Luke.
Luke plans to attend the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) to earn a nursing degree and then continue to graduate school to become a Certified Nurse Anesthetist. WL
