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Photo courtesy of Kim DeSimone.
Paxton, 2017 graduate, Carly, 2022 graduate, and Camden DeSimone, 2020 graduate, sisters and alumni of Hewitt-Trussville High School and valedictorians of each of their senior classes, hold their valedictorian medals.
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Photo courtesy of Kim DeSimone.
Paxton, 2017 graduate, Carly, 2022 graduate, and Camden DeSimone, 2020 graduate, sisters and alumni of Hewitt-Trussville High School and valedictorians of each of their senior classes, hold their valedictorian medals.
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Staff photo.
Valedictorian Camden DeSimone speaks at the Hewitt Trussville High School commencement ceremony held at the Hewitt-Trussville stadium in 2020.
Find the commonality in these three groups: the Golden State Warriors, Alabama Crimson Tide football program and the DeSimone sisters.
Answer: they are all recent dynasties.
The trio of DeSimones all graduated from Hewitt-Trussville High School, all at the top of their classes. Paxton was the Hewitt-Trussville High School valedictorian in 2017, Camden tied for the top spot with Zach McBride in 2020 and Carly earned the title in 2022.
All three challenged themselves with pre-Advanced Placement and AP courses. All three were meticulous about building their high school course schedules. All three were encouraged, not pressured, by their parents. All three earned grade-point averages greater than 4.5. All three spoke at their graduation ceremonies.
Paxton knew in middle school that she was a good student. She wanted to keep that up, and by the time she was a sophomore she realized achieving valedictorian status was in reach if she continued enrolling in AP courses and performing well in them.
Somewhere along the way, she decided, “Oh, I really want this,” she said. “I want to try to get it.”
That motivation made its way to Camden and Carly.
“Carly and I are both a little competitive, so we couldn’t let big sis just beat us out,” Camden said.
Paxton said her younger sisters would have earned the honor without her achieving it first.
“Both Camden and Carly are really smart and driven, too,” Paxton said. “I feel like it would have been something that both of them strived for. I don’t think it hurt [that I did first], but I could have seen both of them getting it, even if I hadn’t done it. I think it’s something they wanted to earn to challenge themselves or prove to themselves they could do it.”
Said Carly, “They set the best example anyone could have for a sibling.”
Camden reviewed Paxton’s old high school binders for tips. Carly reviewed Camden’s. All three had different approaches.
“It was cool to see how all of our strengths have kind of paid off,” Camden said.
Clearly, all three sisters rubbed off on each other, inspiring each other to work hard.
“We all have that drive to be our best, whether it be in college, high school, extracurriculars or other stuff,” Paxton said. “Seeing them also working for their goals, it makes you want to continue to try your best and work hard and not stop.”
Carly said earning the valedictorian honor, being the last sister to do so, was a long time coming.
“I wouldn’t even say you have to be the smartest in your class,” Carly said. “It’s just the classes you take. I guess it’s more of how much effort you’re willing to put in. Definitely a lot of late nights.”
Paxton earned her bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Auburn University in 2020 and completed her master’s degree in the same field in May. Camden is also at Auburn, where she is majoring in industrial engineering. She has been earning work experience at a manufacturing plant and loves it. Carly will also attend Auburn, and is undecided on what major she will choose, she said.
“Since both my sisters went [to Auburn], I have another good example, of course,” Carly said. “So, they’re going to help me guide myself there.”
