Bulldogs’ graduating class

The 2009 Marianna High School Bulldog baseball team lost six players to graduation this year. Those six played a huge part in winning the district champion in 2008, and winning district runners-up this past school year. Each of those players held a separate distinction off the field as well. They were all honor graduates in their graduating class.

The six are Adam Bigale, Troy Clemmons, Laramie Dryden, Brandon Hendrix, Dustin Larkin and Dustin Miller.

Four will be together in some fashion, having chosen to stay in Marianna and attend Chipola College while two others have ventured further north to rejoin Marianna alumnus Bobby Pierce at Troy University.

One senior opting to remain close to home is Adam Bigale, who held a 3.75 unweighted GPA. Bigale was a four-year member of Beta, two years in National Honor Society, Distinguished Bulldog, Student Government Association’s senior class president, as well as sports editor of the yearbook.

Not quite ready to hang up his cleats, Bigale will be attending Chipola College and will walk on the Indian baseball team. Having been awarded the offensive player of the year or the 2009 Bulldogs, Bigale is certain to be an asset to the Indian lineup. Bigale plans on a career in sports management.

Troy Clemmons was the Bulldogs receive the defensive player of the year award in 2009. Clemmons graduated with a 3.30 unweighted GPA. As a member of the Bulldog football team, he was awarded the Bulldog Award, served as captain, was second team All -State linebacker, three-time player of the week, and made the Floridan Terrific Top Ten. Clemmons was selected as an Outstanding Bulldog and was a member of Beta and National Honor Society. Clemmons was awarded the American Legion Scholarship, Frederick Peters Scholarship, the Cattleman’s Association Scholarship, and the MEGA Gym Scholarship.

Clemmons was a workhorse on the mound for the varsity Bulldogs, as well as a force at the plate. Although Clemmons had the opportunity to continue to play elsewhere, he too has opted to attend Chipola College in hopes of helping them to another state and national championship. Troy plans to major in business.

Laramie Dryden graduated with a 3.61 unweighted GPA. Dryden was a four-year member of Beta, two-year National Honor Society, and Student Government Association for four years. His achievements on the field garnished him the Bulldog of the year award for his senior year. Although not quite ready to hang up his baseball skills altogether, Dryden will be attending Troy University as a student assistant to baseball coach Bobby Pierce. Dryden plans a career in risk management following his completion of college.

Brandon Hendrix graduated with a 3.62 unweighted GPA. Ready to move on after four years of baseball at the high school level, Hendrix plans to attend Chipola College, pursuing a major in psychology. Hendrix’s head coach for the past two years at Marianna was Andy Shelton. “This kid’s got one of the best arms I’ve seen and analyzes everything,” Shelton said, adding “he’s notorious for having the last word.”

With that being said, psychology seems very fitting. Hendrix was a member of Beta and the National Honor Society.

Dustin Larkin graduated with a 3.60 unweighted GPA. Larkin was a member of Beta, the National Honor Society, Distinguished Bulldog, and Student Government Association. Out of the classroom, Larkin was the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs football team. While on the football team, Larkin was twice awarded player of the week.

Not quite ready to abandon his on-the-field talents, Larkin will be attending Troy University as a student assistant for the football program under the direction of head coach Larry Blakeney. As a member of the Bulldogs baseball team, Larkin held a host of positions, from being called upon to take over on the mound, behind the plate and as a utility infielder. Larkin plans a career in risk management and insurance upon his graduation from Troy.

Dustin Miller graduated from Marianna with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, was valedictorian, a four-year member of Beta, two-year member of National Honor Society, Distinguished Bulldog, a four-year member of the Student Government Association, holding an executive office his senior year.

Miller was involved since seventh grade in the Duke TIP program, and was the recipient of the City of Marianna scholarship. Miller was an active member of the Bulldog baseball team for four years, with three of those as a varsity member. Ready to move on to the next step in his life, Miller will be attending Chipola College for two years before heading to the University of Florida, where he will major in political science. Tentatively, he plans a career as an attorney, where he will concentrate on family law.