What Atlanta Public School valedictorians would tell a freshman

The 2018 U.S. News & World Report rankings are in and here are Georgia's best high schools.

Each year, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution asks some of the best and brightest high school graduates from our region to share a litte of their younthful wisdom with other students and readers.

Here are two valedictorians from Atlanta Public Schools.

Richard Christopher Sims, a graduate of Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School, will be headed to Georgia Tech this fall.

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Richard Christopher Sims

School: Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School

Extracurricular Activities: Chess Club (president), Garden Club (vice president), Photography Club, Anime Club, Video Game Club, National Honor Society, National Beta Club

Where are you going to college? Georgia Institute of Technology

What do you intend to study? Mechanical Engineering

What is the best advice you got about succeeding?

I remember being told to never give up. Whether you succeed or fail, you should keep moving forward. Don’t let anything deter you from your goals and dreams. Through perseverance and determination, you will achieve your goals.

What advice would you give to a freshman?

High school will be difficult at first. It may be hard to keep up with the work, but don’t give up. Laziness and procrastination now will put you in a deep hole in the near future. Make sure to stay on the right track and never give up.

Tyra Moore from Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta has some words of advice for freshman.

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Tyra Moore

School: Booker T. Washington High School

Extracurricular activities: National Honors Society, Beta Club, Basketball, Softball, Teens on the Move

Where are you going to college? Georgia Institute of Technology

What do you intend to study? Computer Science

What is the best advice you got about succeeding?

My best advice about succeeding is it’s not easy. There will be obstacles that will try to take you down. But if you are determined, success will come knocking on your paying you for believing in yourself.

What advice would you give to a freshman?

Freshmen, this is your most important year. Many people look back and wish they could have done better this particular year. Don’t be the person that wishes that, start off your new beginning with goals and complete them.