AHS student third sibling to earn top class honor

By Randy Grider
randy@casscountynow.com

If Kellianne Huffman needed any additional motivation in her quest to be the 2016 Atlanta High School valedictorian, she needed to look no further than her own family.
Call it friendly sibling rivalry or a family tradition, but the Huffman clan now boasts three valedictorian honorees -- Maggie Huffman in 2013, Sarah Huffman in 2015 and now Kellianne, who will deliver the keynote valedictorian speech Friday night during Atlanta’s graduation ceremony.
Kellianne, who admits she is more reserved than her sisters, isn’t above a little friendly trash-talking.
“She said if we were all in the same class in high school, she would be No. 1,” Maggie said laughing.
“That’s just who I am,” Kellianne said. “I’m pretty driven.”
Sarah said all high school graduation classes are pretty competitive among top academic achievers. But following Maggie did offer some extra incentive. “It was a personal goal, but everyone wants to be No. 1 so it’s competitive.”
When Kellianne is asked if she looks at her sisters as role models, she nods her head, but teasingly adds, “I’m my own role.”
Kellianne’s quiet confidence is equaled by her wit. “I don’t show it sometimes because I’m more shy than they are, but I’m the boss,” she quips. “I know what I want to do, and I’m going to do it. Whatever I do, I want to be the boss.”
Kelliane, who is leaving high school with 27 college credit hours, will not only be following the academic footprints of her sisters in high school, but in her college choice and major.
This fall, all three Hoffman sisters will be at Texas A&M, which is their father Kelly Huffman’s alma mater (their mother Pam Huffman is a Baylor graduate), and all three majoring in biomedical science. Maggie, who originally started out pursuing a biomedical engineering degree before switching to biomedical science, is leaning towards a career in physical therapy.
Sarah’s career path is coming down to a choice between dentistry, dermatology and veterinary. Kellianne said she is undecided on what field she will eventually enter.
Obviously, their parents are proud of their daughters’ respective accomplishments. “I’m proud of them,” Pam said. “They were all well rounded in high school. We tried not to put too much pressure on them. We just always told them to do their best.”