By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
Nolan Boatner, like many high school seniors, has been considering colleges for some time.
Luckily, Nolan has worked hard to keep his GPA high. Despite playing baseball and football, which would often keep him from getting home until 7:30 p.m., when he would still have to complete his homework, Nolan still managed to maintain a 3.8 average.
By taking ACT prep classes, he brought his ACT score up from a 28 to a 29 and then, all the way to a 31.
Nolan is also involved on campus and excelled at sports. He is an office aide and a member of the service-oriented Key Club and the National Honor Society. He also served as class president last year.
As a center on the GCHS football team this year, Nolan was named to the 2014 Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 7A All-State first team and was first team on the Messenger’s 2014 All-Area football team. He helped Gadsden City post a 10-3 record, win the region championship and make it to the semifinal round of the state playoffs.
Nolan’s hard work paid off; after sending his ACT scores to about 12 schools, he was offered about $250,000 in scholarships, based on his impressive academic record.
He will accept a $75,000 full-ride scholarship to Mississippi State University, where his father, Roger, obtained his undergraduate degree in Accounting. He hopes to walk-on the football team.
Nolan also received full scholarship offers from the University of Alabama, University of Mississippi and University of Kentucky.
“I knew I wanted a full academic ride, so I’ve definitely been working hard,” said Nolan.
Nolan hopes to major in business before attending law school. His ultimate goal is to become a sports agent.
“Nolan has represented us very well for four years,” said Gadsden High School Principal Keith Blackwell. “He is a very well-rounded young man.”
Publisher/Editor Chris McCarthy contributed to this story.