May 22, 2025—Each graduate in Cobb’s Class of 2025 has a unique story. As the new graduates proudly hold up their diplomas, they are celebrating the path that led them to the graduation stage. Their diplomas represent the countless late nights studying, hours of community service, leadership in school organizations, personal obstacles conquered with courage and perseverance, and all those who supported them along the way. Their diplomas don’t just mark the end of high school; they honor the resilience, ambition, and character built along the way.
Cobb seniors have stepped into leadership roles, launched nonprofits, joined the workforce, and overcome personal adversity to make it to graduation day.
Here are just a few of the seniors whose journeys to graduation are inspirational reminders of what students overcome to achieve success.
Leaders in the Classroom and Beyond
Many Cobb seniors have excelled not just academically but also as leaders, mentors, and innovators.
Over the past four years, Brennan Rice has stood out as a pillar of leadership and service. As Senior Body President, Chess Club founder, and Cobb Youth Leadership mentor, the Allatoona High School student worked to create a fun and exciting learning environment. He also launched a weekly student faith group, Bucs in the Bible, while maintaining a 4.397 GPA and playing in the orchestra all four years. Brennan will attend Georgia Southern University to study engineering and Chinese.
Kennesaw Mountain High School's Taylar Wharton is a prime example of poise and productivity. With a staggering 4.552 GPA, 14 AP classes, and a full calendar of leadership roles—including president of BOND and woodwind captain in the marching band—she still finds time for service. She founded her own nonprofit and is a Carson Scholarship winner, GMEA Honor Band member, and AP Scholar with Distinction. In addition to various band recognitions, Taylar has earned the Most Outstanding Visual Award twice. She’s headed to Spelman College on a full-ride scholarship to study biology on the pre-med track.
As a Georgia Certificate of Merit Scholar, past President of Beta Club, and President of the Student Government Association, Emma Wood’s impact on Osborne High School has touched areas throughout the school. Emma spearheaded the school’s first-ever Health and Wellness Fair, bringing together over 75 organizations to support more than 1,500 students and staff. In addition to her leadership positions, Emma has also been an active member of Sources of Strength, Key Club, HOSA, and National Honor Society. She’s a Certified Nursing Assistant with multiple health certifications, earned through her studies at the Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy. Emma also worked at Osborne’s IRS-certified Tax Center, helping community members file their taxes.
Named Ms. Osborne High School in 2024, Emma also juggled her time as first chair flute in Osborne’s Mastery Wind Ensemble Band, dual enrollment student, all while holding down a part-time job at Publix. Her hard work helped her earn a Cobb Schools Foundation Scholarship and the CITA Difference Maker Award.
Rising from Adversity with Strength and Determination
For some students, simply reaching graduation is a triumph, and what they’ve overcome along the way is nothing short of inspiring.
Noah Nelson from Pope High School has faced immense personal loss and health struggles during high school. After losing his younger brother at the start of his junior year, he was later diagnosed with epilepsy following a terrifying near-death emergency. Despite these challenges, Noah never gave up. He earned a perfect ACT score, achieved Eagle Scout rank, became a U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidate, was named an AP Scholar with Distinction, was accepted to all 10 universities where he applied, and received multiple scholarship offers. His teachers and family describe him as a servant-leader, always supporting others while quietly excelling. This inspiring Cobb graduate plans to study engineering at Auburn University.
Like Noah, Pebblebrook High School senior TaNiya Michelle Walker didn’t just work hard—she fought her way to graduation. After losing her older brother during her freshman year, TaNiya faced personal and academic challenges but never gave up. Motivated by her goals and the support of family, teachers, and counselors, she pushed forward, working a part-time job and using her savings to take extra classes to graduate on time.
TaNiya will take a gap semester to grow her small business as a hair stylist before beginning her associate’s degree in business management at Chattahoochee Technical College. Her long-term goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University. TaNiya’s determination and resilience make her a true example of perseverance.
Perseverance, resilience, and determination describe Vanessa Rendon’s high school journey. The Cobb Horizon High School student faced significant learning challenges before she became a mother. The way she learned to balance motherhood, academics, and a part-time job inspired those she met at Cobb Horizon. After becoming a parent while still in school, she fought to graduate by advocating for flexible schedules and mastering life skills. She was determined to earn the education she knew was essential for her and her son’s future.
At Harrison High School, Shaniya Allen deserves to be highlighted for her incredible strength and resilience. Despite being diagnosed with a bone-forming sarcoma in 2023 and facing a recurrence after a brief remission, she has continued her education through Hospital Homebound and is determined to graduate with her class. Her perseverance in the face of adversity is truly inspiring.
Before collecting his diploma, Lassiter High School’s Alvaro Cruz Aravena had to overcome several challenges, including moving here when he was 13 and learning a new language. He did so while living with a painful neurological condition, Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease. However, that didn’t stop him from taking Dual Enrollment courses at Kennesaw State University. Staff at Lassiter say Alvaro pushed himself to succeed in whatever he attempted. He will continue his academic journey at Auburn University, where he will study Economics.
McEachern High School senior J.D. Palm spent much of his junior year fighting for his life after being diagnosed with a rare kidney disease. A member of the varsity basketball team, JD would ultimately miss out on his junior year of competition as he and his family embarked on this new reality of uncertainty and fear. He underwent dialysis and eventually received a kidney transplant, donated by his mother. Remarkably, he returned to school for his senior spring semester and even rejoined the varsity basketball team. His strength and his mother’s love brought him to the finish line.
Going Global, Inventing Solutions, and Earning Top Honors
Some seniors have already made a mark on the national and international stages.
Brian Navarro-McLean from Kell High School was selected to represent Georgia and Florida in the prestigious Rotary Youth Exchange program in Taiwan. One of just six students selected across both states, Brian spent high school preparing for this impressive opportunity, studying Korean and Japanese through dual enrollment at Kennesaw State University. After his time in Taiwan, he plans to return and attend the Georgia Institute of Technology. The Kell graduate is described as a cultural enthusiast, resilient, and determined.
A Cobb Online Learning Academy success story, Ava Daniel has spent the last decade excelling in figure skating while maintaining academic excellence. A double gold medalist with the U.S. Figure Skating Association, she competes at the Novice Level and represented the Atlanta Figure Skating Club at national qualifying events. In 2024, she placed in the top 10 at the National Excel Series Festival in Boston. While training and competing, Ava also gave back to the sport by coaching youth and adults through the Learn to Skate Program in Alpharetta. Her flexible online schedule allowed her to pursue skating at a high level while graduating from Cobb Horizon High School with honors and a 3.9 GPA. Her time in the Cobb Online Learning Academy gave her the opportunity to continue training and pursuing her sport while also earning a high-quality education. Ava also took advantage of dual enrollment at Kennesaw State University during her senior year.
After graduation, the Cobb Horizon graduate will continue training at the Atlanta Ice House in pursuit of a national title. She plans to attend Chattahoochee Technical College to earn her esthetician license and explore her passion for skincare and beauty.
At North Cobb High School, Pamela Musungu created a website that helps students access free internships and enrichment programs nationwide. Her platform has drawn over 2,500 views and earned her runner-up in the Princeton Prize in Race Relations.
Aside from creating websites for her community, Pamela has completed just under 100 hours of community service via various volunteer opportunities, including the Georgia Aquarium and Girl Scouts. She has also maintained a part-time job and held various leadership positions in numerous clubs at North Cobb. She’ll build on what she learned at North Cobb when she attends Brown University in the Fall.
Blazing a trail at South Cobb High School as both a scholar and athlete, Oluwatosin “Tosin” Awoleye is a state and nationally ranked track and field competitor. Tosin’s success earned her a spot on the University of Southern California track team. With a nearly 4.0 GPA, AP and dual enrollment coursework, and dreams of medical school, Tosin also has her eyes on becoming a professional athlete and entrepreneur. Her goal is to become a millionaire by age 25.
Leader, dedicated, grounded, and relentless are some of the words describing Walton High School senior Kyleigh O'Donnell. She has a heart of service. After years in the school’s rigorous Biomedical STEM program, she was accepted into three of the four U.S. military academies—Air Force, Coast Guard, and West Point. She plans to continue serving others as she prepares for a career in leadership and national service when she attends the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Rohan is already making an impact as an inventor. The Wheeler High School senior designed a portable, affordable glaucoma screening device to help underserved populations worldwide. His innovation is currently patent-pending and could shape the future of global health access.
Rohan’s success goes beyond local science fairs. It extends to the national and international level, including a 3rd and two 4th Place Biomedical Engineering Awards at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the prestigious $10,000 IEEE Foundation President’s Scholarship, induction into the National Gallery of Young Inventors, and the awarding of a United States Provisional Utility Patent for his innovative work.
Celebrating the Class of 2025
These stories are just a glimpse into the excellence across the Cobb County School District. Whether through academic achievement, perseverance in adversity, or service to others, the Class of 2025 has already made its mark. As they move on to colleges, careers, service academies, and international adventures, these seniors carry with them the strength and resilience that will shape our community and beyond. Congratulations to all of Cobb’s inspiring graduates—we can’t wait to see what you do next.
