BROOKHAVEN — LaTronda Gayten, Brookhaven Elementary School principal, announced the Spotlight Student of the Year is Mason Adams. He is a 4th grade student who loves to read and has big dreams. 

Adams received many accolades during his two years at BES, but he is most notable for his Accelerated Reading Success. He earned 1,384 AR points while at BES. His AR success earned him the title Principal for a Day on May 2. 

He led morning announcements and welcomed Mamie Martin Elementary second grade students during tours. Adams academic performance is A+ in his classes and beyond his grade level on district assessments. He exceeded his current grade level on his iReady Reading Diagnostic Assessment by scoring a seventh grade level. Adams is an avid reader. 

He is the 10-year-old son of Nicholas and Juliana Adams. Adams is the youngest brother of Matt, an 8th grader at Alexander, and Max, a 6th grader at Lipsey. He is the grandson of Bill and Sherry Adams and JL and Vicky Wallace. 

Adams was blessed to have one great grandmother, Johnnie Acy, for most of his life. He loved to help take care of her and she was very special to him. Adams attends First Baptist church where he is very involved with the children’s programs.  

He loves going to school at Brookhaven School District. Adams also loves the fact that he attends the same schools as both his parents and 3 of his grandparents. JL was a Bogue Chitto Bobcat. 

Adams loves spirit days during football season, especially the dress-up days during homecoming week. He has had very special teachers along the way who have inspired, encouraged and challenged him. 

He started his pre-school education at Wee Care at First Baptist church with Mrs. Rhonda for 2K, Mrs. Velma for 3K, Mrs. Teresa Coleman (his mom and cousin Mary Parker’s kindergarten teacher) and Mrs. Jessica Young for 4K.  

Adams then transitioned to Mamie Martin Elementary to start his formal education with Mrs. Ashley Davis and Mrs. Wolfe (also an assistant for his brother, Matt) for kindergarten, Mrs. Hutson (who also taught his brothers and some cousins) and Mrs. Cherish for first grade, Mrs. Gennaro (who also taught his brother Max and some cousins) and Mrs. Tosha for second grade. 

The last two years have been at Brookhaven Elementary School with Mrs. Motta and Mrs. Ashley (teachers of his brother Max and some cousins) for third grade and Mrs. Black, Mrs. Golmon and Mrs. Paulk. Adams is a part of the Quest program at BES and loved having Mrs. Driskell and Mrs. Whittington encourages him to think outside the box and use his creativity in all areas of life.  

Adams would also like to thank his amazing librarians who always found him more books to read and series to be captivated by – Mr. Randy Cothern at Mamie Martin and Mrs. April Grim at BES. His principals have been Mrs. Nancy Fisher and Mrs. LaTronda Gayten. 

They have made learning fun and made school a welcoming, loving, exciting environment to learn. He has had the privilege to serve as principal of the day at Mamie Martin and BES as a reward for the most AR points in the school. These days were definitely highlights of his educational career thus far.

When Adams isn’t reading a book, which is rare, he loves to play tennis with his friends, ride his ATV, swim in his Quiser and Papaw’s pool,  spend time with his cousins –  Mary Parker, Maddox and Meredith Mason and Paxton, Lillie, Charles Ryan and Stella Adams. 

He loves going to church and school with his buddies Beckett, Daughtry, Leland, John Ray and Si. Most weekends he can be found at his brothers’ baseball tournaments hanging out with Miller and Parker Lee and Lilly Newman.

Adams has aspirations to be a neurosurgeon this week. It has changed over time from architect and marine biologist. His family is so proud of him and knows that whatever he puts his mind to he will accomplish.  

Thank you to Wee Care, Mamie Martin, Brookhaven Elementary School, Brookhaven School District Administrators and Board for providing an avenue for students to excel.