Cass High Magnet

🎓 Senior Spotlight: Anniston Shultz 🎖️

Anniston Shultz, our 2026 Salutatorian, is truly one of the kindest and most energetic ladies I know. She has been a Cass Magnet superstar, tackling 9 AP courses while staying deeply involved in just about every corner of our school community.

In addition to her academic success, Anniston has competed with our nationally recognized Marching Band and Winter Guard programs, bringing both dedication and spirit to each performance. She has been recognized by KSU for being a standout Model UN delegate, is an American Sign Language all-star, and has been a contributing member to too many clubs to list. I think she might also hold the record for the highest scores earned on all our Social Studies/History AP exams. And just when you thought you were done, Anniston is also an accomplished thespian who just rocked the stage in our musical production of Into the Woods, showcasing yet another dimension of her talent and presence.

Anniston will attend Georgia Southern University in the fall, where she will double major in Public Relations and Journalism. She was also accepted into the Honors College and selected as an Honors Global Scholar, which will allow her to spend her Spring semester studying in Wexford, Ireland!! She will continue showcasing her performing talents as a member of GSU’s Southern Pride Color Guard team. See, she isn't even on campus yet, and she is already absolutely killing it!

We are going to miss this little ball of sunshine next year, but we could not be prouder of all that Anniston has accomplished. We are so excited to see what she does next. 🌟 🌍🧲💙💛

Cass High School Georgia Southern University

🎓 Senior Spotlight: Jackson 🎭

In honor of graduation day, let's take a moment to put our Valedictorian and Salutatorian in the spotlight!

I don't know where this kid gets his smarts or energy, but Way to Go to our Class of 2026 Valedictorian! Completing an impressive 13 AP courses, he has balanced a rigorous academic schedule with a wide range of achievements across disciplines.

Jackson has represented Cass High and Magnet Program as a Presidential Scholar candidate, President of the Chinese Language Society, a 3x Varsity Tennis Letterman, a Model UN delegate, and has earned recognition as a region and state-level placer in academic competitions for Beta Club, Thespians, and our GHSA Literary team.

But if I had to guess, his favorite accomplishments were earning a record-breaking 16 automatic university-admission callbacks at Thescon and being accepted into highly respected dramatic arts programs at USC, Berkeley, and UGA... dang, his parents must be so proud!

In the fall, Jackson will attend the University of Georgia, where he plans to major in theater with a concentration in acting. While the future is never certain, it is clear that Jackson is well prepared for continued success.

Cass Magnet was lucky to snag this one. Jackson, we are so proud of you and cannot wait to see what the future holds for you!!🌍🧲💙💛

PS -- You better remember us if you become famous 🌟🍿

Cass High School University of Georgia

🌟Today we want to take a minute to put the spotlight on Hailey Sullins!💙💛

Hailey is a talented member of our award-winning band program, a Model UN superstar, an award-winning artist for her American Sign Language piece, and a young lady who is deeply dedicated to helping our global population. She is exactly the kind of student our International Studies Magnet is always looking for—driven, compassionate, and committed to making a difference.🌍🧲

Hailey didn’t have to wait very long to be snatched up by a top university. She received a personal phone call from the Dean of Students at the University of West Georgia to let her know that she had been accepted to the Honors College—and that she was the recipient of the Presidential Scholarship, a four-year, full-ride, debt-free college experience! And that is just one of her scholarships!

She is excited to use this opportunity to pursue a career in Speech Pathology and to continue her passion for helping others.

We are so proud of Hailey and incredibly excited for her as she moves on to the next part of her journey!⭐️💕

Cass High School University of West Georgia

🌟Senior Spotlight: Connor New🌟

Connor is, quite simply, a legend on CHS’s campus. If you’ve spent even five minutes here, you’ve probably heard his name, and for good reason. Connor is known for his unmatched work ethic and his uncanny ability to do all the things. I don't think this kid ever sleeps.

His commitment to leadership and excellence in every role he takes on is exactly why he was named Mr. CHS, a title he more than earned. During his four years, Connor has left his mark everywhere: holding leadership positions in Magnet, Beta, and FCA; serving as a dedicated sports med member for our football team; bringing energy and insight as our baseball statistician and announcer; representing CHS as a Model UN delegate; and, of course, being a full-force Chick-fil-A marketing machine. And I am sure that I'm leaving out a gazillion other things, as the list would never end.

The bottom line: this kiddo just doesn’t stop! And colleges noticed. They were practically beating down his door trying to get him on their campuses. But in true Georgia fashion, you can’t beat the pull of the Dawgs—or the appeal of that Zell Miller Scholarship—so Connor will be heading to the University of Georgia this fall.

At UGA, he plans to major in business marketing or possibly explore a path combining medicine and business. While the exact road he’ll take is still unfolding, one thing is absolutely certain: Connor New is going to be wildly successful, wherever he goes and whatever he does.

We are beyond proud of you, Connor. CHS won’t be the same without you--Magnet won't be the same without you—but we can’t wait to see all the incredible things you’re about to accomplish. 🌍🧲💙💛

Cass High School University of Georgia

🌟Senior Spotlight: Merry Par

Tonight we celebrate Merry. While she may not be the most talkative student in the Magnet program, one thing is certain: when Merry speaks, everyone should listen.

Merry has quietly built an incredible legacy. She has challenged herself by taking every math class possible, played a key role in building our Chinese Language Society, and has represented our Magnet program with dedication and excellence.

This fall, Merry will attend Kennesaw State University to study Finance and Economics—and she is more than ready. She is the first person to ever explain Bitcoin in a way that made any sense to this computer-technology-finance-illiterate, old-school English teacher. After her Capstone Research presentation, I was genuinely ready to create a retirement plan based on my very first Bitcoin investment…well, maybe I'll wait until Merry has graduated and let her be my financial planner.

We are so proud of all that Merry has accomplished and cannot wait to see the amazing things she will do in the future.🌍🧲💛💙

Cass High School Kennesaw State University

We are proud to be part of this team! Congratulations to our students and teachers 💙💛🌍🧲

WOW: Student achievement in Bartow County continues to climb, with high schools earning a record 13 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor School designations this year, more than DOUBLING from just five awards in 2018.

The recognition, issued by the Georgia Department of Education, reflects performance and participation in 2025 AP courses and exams. This year also brought an additional milestone for Cass High School, which earned one more award than in years past with the AP STEM Achievement School designation. Across Georgia, 316 schools in 110 districts were named AP Honor Schools.

Adairsville High School received:
• AP STEM School Award
• AP Humanities School Award
• AP Humanities Achievement School Award

Cass High School earned:
• AP STEM School Award
• AP STEM Achievement School Award
• AP Humanities School Award
• AP Humanities Achievement School Award
• AP Access and Support School Award

Woodland High School gained:
• AP STEM School Award
• AP Humanities School Award
• AP Humanities Achievement School Award
• AP STEM Achievement School Award
• AP Schools of Distinction Award

For more information on these awards, click the link below!

https://www.bartow.k12.ga.us/article/2896977

🎓✨ Celebrating Excellence at Cass High School! ✨🎓

Cass Magnet proudly congratulates Cass High School’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian on this incredible achievement! Your hard work, determination, and commitment have truly set you apart. 💙💛

What makes these two so special is how they balanced challenging coursework while still doing what they love. Anniston brought energy and talent everywhere—from Color Guard to the theater stage, shining in our musical, standing out in Model UN, and always showing up for a themed dress-up day. Jackson made his mark as book club famous, turned the stage into his second home, took on learning Chinese, and never backed down from a literary competition.

Even more than their accomplishments, both Anniston and Jackson are loved by everyone for their genuine kindness and the way they treat others. That’s what really makes them stand out. 💫

We are so proud to call you part of the Cass Magnet family—go keep doing amazing things! 🌟🌎🧲

Senior Spotlight: Jessi Alston 🌟

Anyone who has ever met Jessi knows that she has enough energy, s***k, and intelligence to move mountains—literally. And if she woke up today and decided that was the plan… well, consider it done. She is, without question, a total force to be reckoned with.

When it comes to making her mark, Jessi didn’t just dip her toes in ... she dove in headfirst. From lighting up the field with the Marching Band, to tackling global issues in Model UN, to bringing the Big Bad Wolf to life on stage, she has made her presence known in every corner she touched. And as if that wasn’t impressive enough, all that drive and determination culminated in her being named a QuestBridge Scholar, earning a four-year, full-ride scholarship to the University of Richmond—an achievement that perfectly matches her unstoppable spirit.

At Richmond, Jessi plans to pursue a career in forensic psychology, and if her past is any indication of her future, there’s no doubt she’ll make waves there, too!

Let’s be honest—one day, this lady is going to be famous. And all we can say is…don’t forget about us when you are!

We are incredibly proud of you, Jessi, and beyond excited to watch all the amazing opportunities that are undoubtedly coming your way.
Congratulations!! 🎉

University of Richmond Cass High School QuestBridge

That’s right, Cass Magnet proudly bringing you both the Val and Sal⭐️💙💛 And these two, probably two of the most intellectually curious, crazily talented, and genuinely kind people ever — so proud of both Anniston and Jackson!!! 💙💛💙💛🌍🧲

We are so blessed with the best World Language teachers! So proud of these gentlemen 💙💛