Straughn High School salutatorian David Dillard’s motivation to earn his rank was the need to succeed.

“Becoming salutatorian was mostly just a perk that came with working hard,” Dillard said. “Which I did just because I wanted to be successful.”

Dillard said that he has always been in competition with valedictorian Elizabeth Porter since their ranks were revealed in ninth grade.

At SHS, Dillard is involved in the chess club, E-sports, Envirothon and the Spanish Club.

His role models are his grandmother and his father.

“They always made sure that I was taken care of,” Dillard said.

Outside of school, Dillard said that he mostly helps his grandmother around the house and mow the lawn for his dad.

After graduation, Dillard plans to attend the University of Alabama to earn his degree in computer science.

He is the son of David Lee Dillard Sr., and Sharon Patterson. He is the grandson of Aubrey Patterson, Sandi Kersker, Laurie Senn, and Robin Kersker.