Four Darlington seniors have been named finalists in the Rome Noon Optimist Club Student of the Year competition. Sam Watters is a finalist in the Academics category, Zach Martin in Service, Maggie Sparks in Fine Arts and Anna Shea in Athletics.
Watters, a National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student and an AP Scholar with Distinction, is a member of the Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Gamma Chi Epsilon, Spanish National Honor Society and French National Honor Society. He is president and founder of the Darlington Chapter of Junior State of America and director of dominions of the Junior State of America in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. Watters is also a member of The Inkslinger staff, the Debate Team, the Green Team and serves as spiritual life liaison in Summerbell House. In his four years at Darlington, he has received numerous awards and honors, including the Phi Beta Kappa Book Award, the Yale Book Award, The D.A.R. Medal and the 2010 Georgia Certificate of Merit from The University of Georgia. He has also earned E.L. Wright Scholastic Awards for having the highest average in AP World History, AP Environmental Science, English 2, Spanish 4, French 1 and 2 Honors, and Graphic Design. Last summer, Watters attended Economics for Leaders at Vanderbilt University and Junior Statesman Summer School at Georgetown University. He is the son of Tracy and Joe Watters of Rome.
Martin is a member of Darlington’s Servant Leadership Committee and over the past four years, he has volunteered over 120 hours at numerous organizations throughout the Rome and Floyd County Community. Much of his service is a result of his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America. To earn his Eagle Scout in eighth grade, he dedicated more than 60 hours to landscaping the three entrances at Parks Hoke Park next to Anna K. Davie Elementary School. Since then, he has volunteered to help numerous other Scouts complete their Eagle Scout projects and served as a Senior BSA Scout for the past four summers, completing various service projects in New Mexico, England and Florida. Martin has also taught ESL at Sara Hightower Regional Library in Rome and volunteered at Rome Little Theater, the Boys & Girls Club and Shorter College’s Pedagogy Music Program. At Darlington, he is a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Gamma Chi Epsilon, Spanish National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, the House Senate and the Random Notes male a cappella group. He is also head day prefect of Summerbell House and treasurer of the Concert Choir. Martin has participated in the Wofford Scholars Program, High School Leadership Rome and the National Federation of Music Clubs Piano Festival, where he earned 11 consecutive ratings of “Superior” for his musicianship. He is the son of Colleen and Zach Martin of Rome.
Sparks is a member of the Concert Choir and the Darlingtones female a cappella group. A former member of the Ladies’ Chorale, she has played a lead role in the school’s productions of “Beauty and the Beast” and “Hello, Dolly!” Additionally, she was a member of the ensemble in the 2009 and 2008 winter musicals. Sparks has also participated in numerous other theatrical productions and excelled in Graphic Design and AP Art History at Darlington. Her artwork has been featured in the Showcase for the Arts, hosted by the National Creative Society, and the Kiwanis Club of Rome’s Art Showcase. She has been selected to participate in GMEA All-State Chorus. She also takes dance. An AP Scholar with Honor, Sparks is a member of the Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Gamma Chi Epsilon, Spanish National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society and International Thespian Society. She is the daughter of Jeanne and Billy Sparks of Rome.
Shea, a four-year member of Darlington's varsity cross country and soccer teams, recently signed a letter of intent to play soccer at Furman University this fall. In 2010, she was a scoring member and captain of the Class A State Cross Country Championship team and was named Co-MVP. Additionally, she is a three-time team captain, MVP and Rome News-Tribune All-Area recipient in soccer. She also plays for the Cobb Futbol Club Soccer Team and is a member of the Region III Pool of the U.S. Soccer Olympic Development Program. Academically, Shea is a member of the National Honor Society, Gamma Chi Epsilon, Mu Alpha Theta and the Spanish National Honor Society. She also serves as senior class vice president and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is the daughter of Janice and Tom Shea of Rome.
Student of the Year winners will be announced at the Student of the Year Banquet on Monday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. in The Forum’s Riverwalk Ballroom. Finalists, their parents and school representatives are invited to attend.
