Paulding County senior receives 2022 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cup

Luke Leathers, a recent graduate of Paulding County High School, received the 2022 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cup on Saturday, May 28.
The AJC Cup, which began in 1927, is one of the oldest news organization award programs in the country. The prestigious award recognizes students—chosen by faculty and staff as best all-around seniors—that exemplify academic excellence, leadership, community service, and extra- curricular involvement.
“It feels amazing to know that all my hard work was acknowledged,” he said. “I dedicated the last four years to this school and community—renovating the courtyard, building tables for the garden, attending every digital learning day throughout a pandemic, and never leaving the school before 5 p.m.—I want the legacy of PCHS to be how much we care.”
Leathers maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout all four years of high school. He completed various AP courses, and leadership opportunities and received several honors and awards. Some activities Leathers was involved with include: Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Raider Team, Color Guard, Drill Team, Exhibition, Sabre Guard, JLAB as well as National Honors Society, Science National Honor Society, and varsity soccer.
Additionally, he served as Battalion Commander for the school’s JROTC, The Patriot Battalion. In this role, Leathers was responsible for running and representing the JROTC program, creating and overseeing the yearly vision for the program, and giving back to the school and community.
Leathers will begin classes this fall at Georgia Tech, where he will study neuroscience and go on to attend medical school. He received the Oshkosh Corporation Foundation Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholarship. Additionally, he plans to enlist in the air force or U.S. army this year. “I want to use my knowledge in neuroscience and psychology to help people with PTSD and other neurological conditions obtained from the battlefield,” he said. “I want to give back to our veterans and those who served our country. While we get to enjoy our lives, they suffer daily from the sacrifices they made to give us all that we have.”