JULIANNA HIGHTOWER: Close friendships, ecology club and sisterhood

Julianna Hightower has developed many close relationships with her teachers during her 14 years at Stratford.

“I already cried today about Mrs. (Carol) Lanier because she’s been there for me for 4 years, and I couldn’t imagine walking in every the morning and not seeing her smiling face,” she said. “I’ll also miss Mr. (Luke) Harrington just because he’s Mr. Harrington, and he gave me such a hard time through Chemistry. I don’t think I can forgive him for that. But I’ll especially miss Mrs. (Martha) Eubanks, because she always keeps me calm.”

Julianna has been extremely involved in the Stratford community. She took part in many sports, including cross country, soccer, and track. She is also a member of the Pep Club, Latin Club, French Club, Ecology Club. She said her favorite was the Ecology Club with math teacher and high school principal, Mrs. Theresa Ferrari.

“ I really liked Ecology Club. The Peake Road litter cleanup with Mrs. Ferrari was pretty special, especially when only like three people showed up,” Julianna said. “It makes it really interesting, and we find some pretty cool things.”

Next year, Julianna will be attending the University of Georgia. Her older sister and Stratford alumni, Mary Kathryn Hightower, is a student at UGA. Julianna is very excited to be attending the same school as her sister again. Julianna loves having three sisters, but has missed her older sister while she has been away.

Julianna recalled a few embarrassing and memorable times she has experienced at Stratford. She thought back to one instance in Dr. Frank Katz’ English class where she misread a word.

“There have been so many things, but the most embarrassing thing that happened to me was probably something in Dr. Katz’s classroom. I misread something and the way I misread it was not good,” Julianna said.

Julianna has loved being a part of the Class of 2017. She loves the close relationships she has developed with her classmates.

“I don’t know if I have a favorite memory so much as just being here with everyone every day,” she said. “When the flu hit and it was basically like everyone died for a few days, it was really weird because I felt so lonely since so many people were gone. I kept thinking next year it’s gonna be like that. I guess just being with everyone and having such a close grade has been my favorite part of Stratford. My grade is exceptionally close, and it will be hard to adjust to not seeing them next year.”