WALNUT GROVE, AL — West End High School seniors Braylee King and Jarrin Vaughn were nominated for the Academic Achievement Award through the Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Scholarship Program.
King is the valedictorian of the West End High School Class of 2026 and is actively involved in a wide range of academic, athletic and service organizations. She serves as president of Beta Club and Mu Alpha Theta, treasurer of Key Club and FBLA, and reporter for FFA. She is also an officer in FCA and participates in Peer Helpers, the Yearbook Committee and the Science Club.
Athletically, King competes in volleyball, cheerleading and softball. She serves as captain of both the varsity volleyball and varsity softball teams. She was named first-team All-State in softball for the 2025 season and earned team honors including Most Valuable Player, Silver Slugger and Golden Glove. She also received All-Area and All-County recognition in varsity softball.
King was selected to play in the Alabama North vs. South All-Star Softball Game this past summer and has signed a softball scholarship with Gadsden State Community College.
In volleyball, she also earned All-Area and All-County honors for the 2025 season.
Beyond athletics and academics, King represented West End High School at the Etowah County Student Leadership Academy this past summer.
Following her time at Gadsden State, King plans to pursue pharmacy school at Auburn University.
West End High School senior Jarrin Vaughn is being recognized for his achievements in academics, athletics and leadership during his high school career.
Vaughn has earned a 4.15 grade point average while remaining active in several school organizations and athletics. He is a two-time state cross-country runner and a one-time All-County cross-country runner.
He also holds the West End High School record in the 5K with a time of 18:46.
In addition to athletics, Vaughn serves in several leadership roles on campus. He is the president of Future Farmers of America, a representative for Future Business Leaders of America and serves as secretary/treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta.
Following graduation, Vaughn plans to attend the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where he intends to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.
