Red Level High School Salutatorian Jacob Catrett said that he was motivated to be the student who worked the hardest.

“I didn’t want to just be average,” Catrett said. “I set small goals every year to get to this stage in my academic career and I believe I met or exceeded every single one for four years.”

Catrett didn’t view the valedictorian and salutatorian race as a competition, but a friendly wager.

“Dalton Myers and I have always been competing against each other since elementary school,” Catrett said. “To be honest, I believe we did not view this as a competition, but as a friendly wager. We both were happy for whoever got valedictorian or salutatorian. We both really talked about who was which one since 11th grade. We had a feeling we were the top two in our grade. It’s been a fun ride to see us succeed.”

Extra-curricular activities were at the top of Catrett’s to-do list, who is involved in the Red Level Student Council, which he currently serves as president; Peer Helpers; Beta Club; Mu Alpha Theta; FFA; FBLA; and JAG, which he currently serves as president. He is senior class president, and served as junior class vice president. He also is a member of the LBWCC Mu Alpha Theta and Phi Theta Kappa.

He was a team captain in basketball and cross-country

He was as 2016 participant in the University of Alabama Capstone Leadership Academy; represented Red Level at Alabama Boys’ State; was his school’s Student of the Year for 2018-19; was nominated for the Bryant-Jordan Student Athlete scholarship program; and made the President’s List at UA.

Catrett said that his role model is his father, Allen Catrett.

“He has showed me and taught me over the years to have grit and determination,” Catrett said. “He instilled in me a blue-collar attitude that has carried me into a good work ethic. Without him, I would not be here today where I am.”

Outside of the classroom, Catrett volunteers his time to different school functions and lifts weights at CrossFit Andalusia.

“I have been doing CrossFit at Crossfit Andalusia for a few years now,” Catrett said. “Lifting weights, doing CrossFit workouts and running long distances are the few things of many that I enjoy. I also like to go to any high school/college basketball and softball games and tournaments I can find.”

After graduating from RLHS, Catrett will attend the University of Alabama in the fall and already has a gig lined up as manager for the UA women’s basketball team.

“I plan to major in finance,” Catrett said. “I currently have 32 college credit hours from the University of Alabama and LBW Community College. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA from LBWCC. If I do the necessary things required there, I can fast track and get my master’s degree in four years.”

Catrett is the son of Allen and Sabrina Catrett and the grandson of Travis and Susie Catrett. His sibling is M.J. Catrett.