POWERGRAMS

12 EDUCATION Natalie Carson has taught at Oakman High School for 15 years and says she's never had a better all-around student than Abbey Mauldin. "She's a great, great kid," the assistant principal of the 350-student school said. "I think the thing I've always loved about Abbey is she's extremely genuine. She's probably one of the most genuine students I've ever taught." Carson worked closely with Mauldin as the Student Government Association sponsor and as her English teacher in a senior year dual-enrollment course through Bevill State Community College in Sumiton. "I don't know anyone who doesn't like Abbey," Carson said. "She's a lot of fun to be around, makes everyone laugh." Mauldin is the Alabama Power Foundation's 2021 two-year Presidential Scholar. The Oakman High graduate plans to study nursing at Bevill State. "My family was ecstatic when they found out I won," Mauldin said. The daughter of Emili and Stephen Mauldin, Miller Steam Plant assistant plant control operator, Abbey feels as if her hard work in school has paid off. As president of the Beta Club, she also led Club Lucky 13, an organization that helps raise funds for her high school alma mater. She was a member of other groups, including Everyone Helping Kids (EHK) and the Anchor Club, a nonprofit youth volunteer and leadership organization. When not volunteering, she enjoys going to the gym, reading and fishing. Mauldin plans to continue her education to become a nurse practitioner. "I've always found nursing interesting and I love to help people," she said. "After graduating from Bevill State, I want to further my education by studying nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham." Growing up an only child, Mauldin finished her senior year becoming friends with more people than she ever imagined. "I went into one of my classes not really knowing anyone. Today we are so close and I'm happy to call them friends." She said that being friendly and nice to everyone she meets is a personal goal and strategy. "You never know when a smile will brighten someone's day and what that simple gesture will bring into someone's life," she said. Mauldin loves goats, so she started a humorous social media campaign to entice her mother to buy one. Carson said many of Mauldin's classmates joined the online effort that has yet to influence Mrs. Mauldin to make the purchase. The Oakman administrator thinks that temporary setback isn't indicative of her student's future. "I have no doubt she'll do well in whatever she does in life," Carson said. Dedication and commitment are attributes Mauldin knows she'll need to continue in the next chapter of her life. "Working hard will help you achieve your goals at the end," she said. B E V I L L S TAT E , U A B I N F U T U R E F O R A P F T W O -Y E A R S C H O L A R by Kim Maryland

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