SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Sylacauga High School has announced that the Class of 2026 Valedictorian is Casey Malone and Salutatorian is Carleigh Mae Rivers.
Todd Casey Malone, Jr. is the son of Todd Malone and Heather Gonsoulin. He has a younger sister, Bailey Malone. He is the grandson of Toni and Tommy Malone and Marsha and Billy McCollough. He will attend the University of Alabama and intends to major in chemical engineering.
Casey has been accepted to the University of Alabama’s Honors College and was named a National Merit Finalist. He is the recipient of the University of Alabama National Merit Finalist Package and the Harry I. Brown, Sr. and Margaret W. Brown Scholarship.
Among his high school accomplishments, Casey played soccer at Sylacauga High School for six years and was a five-year letterman. He served as varsity boys soccer captain for two years, led the team in scoring for three years and in assists for two years, and was named to the 5A All-State Team for two years and the Super All-State Team for one year. He also played club soccer for two years and was a member of Grace Baptist Church’s youth group. Casey was a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Mu Alpha Theta.
Carleigh Mae Rivers is the daughter of Gary and Jaclyn Rivers, Jr. She has a younger brother, Tripp Rivers. She is the granddaughter of Gary and Dixie Rivers, Sr., the late Sharon Mitchell, and Gary and Anita Mitchell. She will attend Auburn University and intends to major in animal science.
Carleigh Mae has been accepted to Auburn University’s Honors College and is the recipient of the Spirit of Auburn Founder Scholar Scholarship, Bryant-Jordan Regional Scholarship, Coosa County Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship, East Highland Schools National Alumni Association Scholarship, Masie Knight Memorial Scholarship, Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union Scholarship, and the Big Future Scholarship.
During her high school career, Carleigh Mae was named the Region 4 Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athlete and was a Sylacauga Chamber Diplomat. She was also a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, Scholars Bowl, HOSA–Future Health Professionals (4 year state competitor), Future Business Leaders of America (3 year state winner and 2 year national competitor), National Technical Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and SHS Varsity Tennis, where she was a five-year letterman and team captain. She was an active member of Church of the Highlands.
Sylacauga High School will hold graduation commencement on Tuesday, May 19, at 7:00 p.m. at Legion Stadium.
