SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Sylacauga High School has announced the top academic honors for the Class of 2026, naming Casey Malone as valedictorian and Carleigh Mae Rivers as salutatorian.
Todd Casey Malone, Jr. is the son of Todd Malone and Heather Gonsoulin. He has one younger sister, Bailey, and is the grandson of Toni and Tommy Malone and Marsha and Billy McCollough. He plans to attend University of Alabama, where he intends to major in chemical engineering.
Malone was accepted into the university’s Honors College and was named a National Merit Finalist. He also received the University of Alabama National Merit Finalist Package and the Harry I. Brown Sr. and Margaret W. Brown Scholarship.
During his time at Sylacauga High School, Malone played soccer 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 earned selection to the 5A All-State Team twice and the Super All-State Team once. He also played club soccer for two years and participated in the youth group at Grace Baptist Church.
Malone was also 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 one younger brother, Tripp, and is the granddaughter of Gary and Dixie Rivers, Sr., the late Sharon Mitchell, and Gary and Anita Mitchell. She plans to attend Auburn University and major in animal science.
Rivers was accepted into Auburn University’s Honors College and received several scholarships, including the Spirit of Auburn Founder Scholar Scholarship, the Bryant-Jordan Regional Scholarship, the Coosa County Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship, the East Highland Schools National Alumni Association Scholarship, the Masie Knight Memorial Scholarship, the Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union Scholarship, and the Big Future Scholarship.
At Sylacauga High School, Rivers was named the Region 4 Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athlete and served as a Sylacauga Chamber Diplomat. She was also a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, Scholars Bowl, HOSA–Future Health Professionals, Future Business Leaders of America, National Technical Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta.
Rivers competed at the state level for four years in HOSA and was a three-year state winner and two-year national competitor in FBLA. She was also a five-year letterman and team captain for the school’s varsity tennis team and an active member of Church of the Highlands.
Graduation commencement for Sylacauga High School’s Class of 2026 will be held Tuesday, May 19, at 7:00 p.m. at Legion Stadium.
