By definition, optimism is “the hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.” Each year, Cass and other schools across Bartow County are charged with choosing a student who embodies this “glass half full” mindset, and this year, senior Macy Wright was chosen to receive the Outstanding Student’s Award for Cass High School.

The award is presented by Cartersville’s Optimist Club, a nonprofit organization that works closely with the Bartow school system on a number of projects, including the state’s oldest Civic Youth Day. Representatives of the organization, along with the recipients of the award and the principals of their respective schools came together on Tuesday morning at Cartersville First Baptist Church to recognize these exceptional students.

Wright, with a nearly perfect GPA and exasperatingly sunny disposition, couldn’t have been a better candidate to receive the award. She faces many personal struggles, varying from the numerous AP and Honors classes she takes to the three sports she participates in, all while keeping a bright smile on her face. Under the enormous amounts of pressure that every student is seeming to face at this age, Wright rises to the occasion like no other. She is a ray of light that shines through the ominous, grey clouds of college applications, graduation preparation, and AP Macroeconomics. “I am extremely grateful…There are so many wonderful students at Cass, and I am blessed to have this opportunity to represent my school,” Wright replied when asked her feelings regarding the award.

Wright, although still unsure of where she plans to go to college, aspires to one day become a cardiologist, inspired by her brother who has a heart condition. She has been accepted to multiple schools already and is hoping to hear back from Vanderbilt on April 1. Even in moments such as these, in which every senior is racked with anxiety upon whether they’ll get in or not, Wright remains as hopeful as always. “It’ll be okay,” she says.

From everyone part of the Colonel family, we send Macy Wright our love and congratulations. We thank you for being so bright.

See Mr. Nelson’s award presentation to Miss Wright: