Congratulations to our Student-Athletes of the Month for March: Nolan Burchfield and Ivy O’Neal!
Nolan is a senior member of the Varsity football team. When asked what motivated him to play, Nolan said, “I started playing football because of the culture it has with it and the life long friends I made because of it.” He was named 2nd team All-Region for the 2023 season. Nolan was also selected to play in the Blue-Grey All-American game in Florida this year. Nolan says the RHS teacher who has impacted him the most is Mrs. Molleck. “She was always pushing me to be the best version of myself and challenging me to push myself academically.” Nolan says he has a lot of great memories at RHS, “but my favorite memory was for sure beating heritage at heritage the first game of the season this year!” After high school, Nolan plans to attend Berry College and major in Biology, taking the pre-med track.
Ivy O’Neal is a junior and a member of Ringgold High School Performing Arts. “What made me want to do musical theater was just the love I have for music and performance. A group of RHSPA seniors came to see my 8th grade show and kept asking me about joining. It gave me the confidence to come to theater camp that year and audition for my 9th grade shows.” This year, Ivy was nominated for Best Actress for the Shuler Awards, which she says is one of her most memorable moments so far. “My friends ran around me and hugged me and were so sweet. We were all crying and screaming and I just didn't know what to do except cry more! Their support also has helped so much, even when I was struggling, this Peter Pan cast and crew has been there for me. I love each and every person that has been a part of this show, and I can’t thank them enough!” After high school, Ivy would love to continue her love of music in college or do shows with Broadway touring companies as a job. When asked who has impacted her at RHS, Ivy says, “Mrs. Ellis and Mrs. Kelly have been such amazing mentors throughout these years that I've known them. They've taught me so much about theater; I appreciate them to the moon and back. Without them I don't know if I would've been nominated for a Shuler. And if they read this, I want to say: thank you for giving me the opportunity to play Peter, I love you and thank you so much!” You can watch Ivy and the rest of our RHSPA at the Shuler Awards live on GPB April 18 at 8:00 p.m.
Congratulations to Nolan and Ivy!