Hankerson and Ryals Recognized by Vidalia BOE
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Vidalia High School Seniors Hillaree Hankerson and Kingston Ryals were recently recognized for their outstanding leadership skills and service to the community and student organizations by the Vidalia Board of Education at the Board’s meeting on Tuesday, January 13.
Superintendent Sandy Reid began the special presentation by expressing her admiration for those who serve in offices of student organizations. “I remember going to student organizations, and I would see people who were performing or serving in the role of president, vice president, secretary, etc., and I remember thinking, ‘Gosh! They are so cool — they are really special to get up there in front of all of these students and all of these adults, and they're so mature,’” Reid recalled.
She continued, “Now, watching both Hillaree and Kingston function in that role and in our school system — it just affirms everything that I thought back then. They are so cool, mature, and responsible. I knew when these two came through J.R. Trippe [Middle School] — when I was principal there — that they were going to be something special. They’re just starting, and they're already fulfilling that journey and pushing themselves forward.”
Reid explained that the students would be receiving the Student SPEAR Award – which recognizes students who exhibit character traits that prioritize service, participation, excellence, and other achievement recognitions. She told the students that these awards were not given monthly, but rather when the Board felt that they were truly deserved. “Tonight, we want to give you an opportunity to accept a very rare SPEAR Award for not only your service serving as a governing body or governing positions in those organizations — but also how you demonstrate service, participation, excellence, and achievement every day. We are so proud that you're part of Vidalia City Schools, and we're thankful that you walk a walk every day that shows everyone what it means to be an Indian.”
Hillaree Hankerson
Hankerson was honored first, as her Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Chapter Advisers Amanda Mosley and Morgan Sager spoke about her dedication to both the Vidalia City Schools chapter and state chapter of the organization.
Mosley began, as she emphasized her and Sager’s pride in Hankerson’s most recent leadership role, as she served as the Georgia State FCCLA President. “She has tackled this position with enthusiasm, and it has been such an honor to watch her grow over the last four years,” Mosely remarked. “I had no doubt that she was going to achieve great things after witnessing her drive and dedication when she entered VHS as a ninth grader. Having taught Hillaree in fifth grade, I was secretly awaiting their group to come to the high school. She’s not only served as a Georgia state president, but she also has also competed and finished second and third at nationals for FCCLA competitions as a ninth and a tenth grader.”
She continued, “Over the last four years, I've experienced many firsts with Hillaree, such as her first plane ride to Denver and Seattle, first Whitewater Rapids trip, food tours, and more. We have taken an aerial yoga class, ridden tandem bikes through D.C., and her very favorite, completed a one-mile hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Many people ask why I teach, and this is why. Getting the privilege to share these experiences and watching her leadership and confidence grow brings us so much joy.”
Mosley recounted one of her favorite memories with Hankerson, which occurred in recent months. “In November, Hillaree and I attended the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. We, of course, took a little detour, and we walked through her future college campus of Howard University. And I'll tell you exactly what I told her mom whenever we got back — this girl is ready. I have no doubt that Hillaree is going to continue to have great success, and I've just been honored to be along with her right now,” she shared.
Hankerson then addressed the Board, thanking them for the award and sharing her appreciation to Mosley and Sager for their help and impact throughout the years. “I just want to say thank you so much for just giving me such a great honor, but I also want to say thank you to Ms. Mosley and Ms. Sager, of course, because they've always pushed me to just try my best and accomplish as much as I can — they're just such supportive people in my life. I want to say thank you to my mom and my dad because they've always loved me and been there through everything, from all the money that I've asked for, to just being there and showing up — driving hours away to come watch me when I got sworn in as president,” Hankerson said. “Also, thank you to the Vidalia City School System because you all showed me what it means to be an Indian, and being an Indian is leading, showing courage, and helping others. Thank you so much.”
Kingston Ryals
Kingston Ryals and Toombs County 4-H Agent Riley Wimberly addressed the Board at the conclusion of Hankerson’s recognition.
Wimberly began his comments to the Board by explaining that the Toombs County 4-H Club involved students from Vidalia City Schools, Toombs County Schools, and private schools within the County. “Kingston Ryals definitely stands out among them all,” he emphasized.
He shared that Ryals had begun participating in the Toombs County 4-H Club after former Toombs County 4-H Agent Cheryl Poppell spoke to Ryals’s class in 5th grade. His first event with 4-H was competing with the local District Project Achievement (DPA) competition, during which he gave a speech about how to play chess.
“His first out-of-county event was attending junior camp at Rock Eagle in 2021 when he was in 7th grade. Kingston attributes his camping experience to the foundation of his love for 4-H. That was the first time he'd ever been off on a 4-H trip. He met so many different people from all across Georgia. That's where he really started his love for 4-H,” Wimberly told the Board. “He has attended county, district, state, and national level events.”
Wimberly said that Ryals had worked to mentor younger Toombs County 4-H Club members and even had served as a chaperone for county club events. He also has participated in several service projects, such as volunteering with the local Salvation Army, where he gave back to the community around him.
“Within 4-H, Kingston has taken home several awards for his hard work as a 4-H'er. Georgia 4-H's highest award is to become a Master 4-H'er, and Kingston hasn't mastered just once — he's mastered four different times,” Wimberly continued.
According to Wimberly, Ryals has earned the coveted title of Master 4’H’er twice in speech competitions, through which he qualified for the state competition and won the ultimate title – once for a speech about robotics in 9th grade and once for a speech about workforce in 10th grade. Ryals is hoping to earn a fifth Master 4-H’er title in 2026, as he is competing in the state competition with a speech about human development. Ryals also earned the title of Master 4’H’er through the Dean’s Award competition, where 4-H club members prepare a portfolio and resume. He competed in the leadership category of this competition, where he compiled all of his leadership experiences into a portfolio and did an interview on these projects, which ultimately earned him his third title of Master 4’H’er.
His fourth Master 4’H’er victory came through the National Conference competition, where Ryals completed a series of interviews to become one of six Georgia 4-H members selected to attend a national leadership conference in Washington, D.C. “He participated in that two years ago,” Wimberly explained. “On the national level, as well, Kingston is a National 4-H Youth in Action winner. Over30 high school 4-H'ers from across the United States apply for that. They go through a bunch of interviews and application processes — a long, drawn-out process — and at the end, last year, Kingston came out as the national winner for that, which is a really, really, really big thing. He's going to receive a $5,000 scholarship from that whenever he graduates. So that's a really big achievement.”
“Lastly, I just want to mention Kingston's work as the Georgia 4-H state president. He was elected in July 2024 and served until July 2025. While president, Kingston was able to meet and work with numerous Georgia-elected officials. He was able to advocate for Georgia 4-H'ers from every county,” Wimberly told the Board.
Wimberly informed the Board that in preparation for the recognition, he reached out to Georgia 4-H Leadership Specialist Kelle Ashley for a comment on Ryals. “She said, ‘Kingston excelled as a Georgia 4-H state president, leading with integrity and purpose through sharing his journey of growth and service with peers and stakeholders. He demonstrated firsthand how 4-H helps young people explore their passions, build confidence, take risks, and grow resilient, qualities he fully embodies,’” Wimberly remarked. “I just could not agree more with that statement. That trip to Rock Eagle for junior camp was the first time Kingston and I actually met. And I came home from camp, and I told Mrs. Cheryl Poppell, who was the agent at the time, ‘We have to keep Kingston involved in 4-H, because he will be something. I don't know what, but he will be something one day.’” Wimberly added, “So, I’m super glad that you stuck around with me, and super proud of all your accomplishments. I hate to see you go – I really, really do – but I know that you have represented Toombs County 4-H amazingly.”
Ryals then addressed the Board. “[Wimberly] really did a great job at going through my 4-H career. Last year, I got the opportunity to serve as the 20242025 Board of 4-H State President, and it was an honor. It was truly a dream that I've had ever since I joined 4-H,” he began.
Ryals continued, “One of the biggest things I got from my time as State President was those connections you make with people. Like, how many 17-year-olds can say that they've met with the Governor [or] the CEO of Nationwide? I've been in different rooms all across the nation, and just really had some cool opportunities. I also got to learn from eight other leaders that I was elected with, and just having that opportunity to see different points of views and just hear from other student leaders was just truly inspiring.”
He thanked Wimberly for all his support throughout the years, as he remarked, “I wouldn't be here without my 4-H agent, Brian Wimberly. He's really been the one to entertain all my wildest dreams. And whenever I came to him with an idea, he would say, ‘How do we do it?’ So, I'm just really glad to have an outlet like 4-H, and I'm really thankful to have a community like Vidalia and this school board that supported us so much. I look forward to seeing how that support will go in the future. And while I was the first [Georgia 4-H] State President from Toombs County and Vidalia, I hope not to be the last. Thank you.”
Superintendent Reid also commented on Ryals’s tenure as the Georgia 4-H State President, as she explained that the year of his presidency was also her first year as the Vidalia City Schools Superintendent. “I was beginning my position in this role, and everywhere I went, whether Atlanta or Macon or Columbus or wherever, there was Kingston. I don't know how Kingston's mom managed to keep up with it, but he was everywhere representing very well. So, thank you for the way you represented,” she told him.
Hankerson and Ryals each received a certificate commemorating the award, as the Board celebrated their representation of Vidalia City Schools and accomplishments in their student organizations.
STATE FCCLA PRESIDENT – Vidalia High School Senior Hillaree Hankerson has showcased her leadership skills across the state, as she was elected the Georgia State Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America President. L to R: Superintendent Sandy Reid, Hillaree Hankerson.Photo by Makaylee Randolph
STANDOUT FROM THE START – Toombs County 4-H Agent Riley Wimberly (right) said the Vidalia High School Senior Kingston Ryals (left) stood out from the very first time that he met him, as he was sure Ryals would accomplish great things.Photo by Makaylee Randolph
SHARING MANY FIRSTS – During the recognition on January 13, Vidalia High School Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America Advisers Amanda Mosley (right) and Morgan Sager (left) said that they had shared many “first” experiences with Vidalia High School Senior Hillaree Hankerson (center).Photo by Makaylee Randolph
