Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Two Andalusia High School graduates will continue their education at Auburn University in the fall after being selected for the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering’s Ginn Scholarship.

Riley Tucker and Graycie Sansom each received full cost of attendance scholarships and became the first two recipients in AHS history. Both finished in the top 10 of their graduating class and were two of only 10 scholarship recipients among thousands of applicants.

Tucker plans to major in Electrical Engineering and obtain a minor in Nuclear Engineering.

“I was honestly speechless,” Tucker said. “It was this incredible mix of gratitude, excitement, and relief. I immediately thought of what it meant for my family, my parents are both public educators, and I know how much this scholarship helps. It felt like all my hard work had paid off in a big way.”

Sansom plans to major in Aerospace Engineering and work in the space or aviation industry.

“I was shocked and incredibly grateful,” Sansom said. “It was a surreal moment to know that all the hard work and long nights had paid off. My first thought was how much this would mean for my family. It felt like a dream come true.”

A third-generation graduate of Andalusia High School, Tucker won the 4A state championship and served as a varsity starter since his sophomore year. He was chosen as a 2024 Team Captain his senior year, earned the Dale Carnegie Highest Award for Achievement in the Generation Next course, maintained a 4.2 GPA, and was also selected as a City of Andalusia Ambassador.

“I’ve always been drawn to understanding how things work, especially through math and science. That curiosity started early during my time in the gifted program in elementary school with Mrs. Peek where problem solving and creative thinking were encouraged,” he said.

He took dual enrollment classes at LBW in Industrial Robotics and Construction Wiring during the summer between his freshman and sophomore year. It was at that time when he developed an interest in electrical engineering.

“Outside of academics, I’ve stayed active in football, church youth group and praise band, and part-time jobs. Balancing all of these responsibilities has taught me discipline and time management,” Tucker said.

Aside from earning salutatorian honors, one of Sansom’s proudest accomplishments was serving as a section leader in the marching band.

“I have always been heavily devoted to my studies and love to hang out with my friends. I have always been driven by curiosity, especially when it comes to flight and space, which pushed me to pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering. I have also always loved to volunteer and was very excited to get involved with clubs that were based around community service,” she said.

Both graduates acknowledged their loved ones for being positive role models in their lives.

“My parents have always been my biggest supporters. They raised me to work hard, have good manners, and treat others kindly. No matter what I’ve pursued school, sports, or work, they’ve encouraged me every step of the way,” Tucker said.

“My mother has always been my biggest role model. She has overcome many personal hardships all while keeping a smile on her face for her children and never letting us go without anything. I hope one day to be at least half the woman she is. I will never be able to put into words how much she means to me and how thankful I am to have her as a role model and mentor,” Sansom said.

Tucker and Sansom agreed Auburn University was the right place to continue their studies.

“Auburn has the top engineering programs in the state, and it also feels like home. I was drawn to the strong reputation and campus life. As someone from a small town, Auburn felt like the right fit,” he said.

“Auburn has an outstanding aerospace engineering program and offers so many opportunities for hands-on learning and research. When I visited campus, I immediately felt like I belonged there. The welcoming community and strong academic support really stood out,” she said.

They were prepared well when they found out they had been selected for the scholarship.

“I made it a priority to take challenging classes, including seven dual enrollment classes and 12 advanced courses. I also stayed involved in a wide range of activities from sports to city ambassadorships to church. I took the Dale Carnegie Generation Next course the summer between my junior and senior year to improve my public speaking and leadership skills, which helped me during interviews and applications,” Tucker said.

“I stayed focused academically by taking advanced and dual enrollment classes and consistently challenged myself.  On a personal level, I set clear goals early and worked steadily toward them. I also tried my hardest to get involved in many clubs and obtain as many service hours as I could,” Sansom said.

Both participated in several extracurricular activities throughout their time as AHS students.

“I really enjoyed STEM subjects like honors physics and research and design in physics, both taught by Mr. Klinge. He is a great teacher and supporter. I played varsity football for four years, was a starter for three years, and was named Player of the Week and team captain as a senior. I’ve also been involved in the National Honor Society, Peer Helpers, and Usher Club. I played drums in my church praise band and served as a City of Andalusia Ambassador,” Tucker said.

“I was involved in the marching and concert bands, Covington County Youth Leadership, National Honor Society, FCCLA, Key Club, Usher Club, and the Memolusia yearbook staff,” Sansom said.

Tucker and Sansom acknowledged their academic goals at Auburn along with their future goals.

“My long-term goal is to return home and contribute to my community through engineering. I’d also love to give back to my community by coaching youth sports. I’m interested in minoring in nuclear engineering. Auburn has a program where you can take five additional classes to become a nuclear engineer,” he said.

“I have a goal to work in the space or aviation industry. I’m particularly interested in spacecraft design and propulsion systems, and I hope to contribute to innovations in space exploration and work in the control room at NASA. I’m excited to explore areas like aerodynamics, space systems, and propulsion,” she said.

They agreed that the scholarship would prove to be beneficial to the needs of their families.

“It means everything. It removes a huge financial burden for my family and allows me to fully focus on my education. It’s a blessing that we’re all extremely grateful for,” Tucker said.

“It’s an incredible honor and a huge relief. It means I can pursue my education without placing a financial burden on my family. It also validates all the effort I’ve put in over the years. I cannot explain how truly thankful I am for this opportunity,” Sansom said.

Several factors went into shaping who Tucker and Sansom have become today.

“High school taught me how to balance academics, athletics, work, and community involvement. I learned how to lead on and off the football field and how to stay focused on my goals. Every challenge taught me something new about responsibility, teamwork, and perseverance. I am thankful for the traditions I’ve been a part of and values I’ve gained at Andalusia High School,” he said.

“High school taught me the value of discipline, time management, and perseverance. Through academics and extracurriculars, I learned how to lead, how to collaborate, and how to bounce back from setbacks, all of which prepared me for college and beyond,” she said.

According to Tucker, being named a starter on the football had a huge impact on his journey.

“Up to that point, I had been working hard lifting, studying plays, and giving my best at every practice. When the coaches trusted me enough to put me in the starting lineup, it proved to me that hard work really does pay off. That moment didn’t just motivate me for the season; it set the tone for how I’ve approached everything since, both on and off the field. I’ve carried that mindset into academics, work, and leadership roles, always remembering that consistent effort can lead to big opportunities,” he said.

Sansom credited her mother as the person who has always been her biggest supporter.

“My mother has studied with me countless times and has always provided me with encouragement and positivity even through my toughest times. I would not be where I am without her,” she said.

One of his proudest achievements was serving as a City of Andalusia ambassador. His favorite event was the Veterans Day parade.

“I’m proud to have represented Andalusia at city events. Both of my grandfathers are veterans, and it meant a lot to me to have them there and for me to be able to give them an American flag. It also meant a lot that my peers chose me for the football team captain and the Dale Carnegie Highest Award for Achievement,” Tucker said.

She was proud of several accomplishments during her time in high school.

“I was proud to be on Starz competitive cheer and be a part of ‘A Sound Tradition’ Marching Band. I also reached my goal of completing 100 service hours with Meredith’s Miracles,” Sansom said.

With high school now behind them, Tucker and Sansom are ready to make the most of their time at Auburn.

“I want to take advantage of the opportunities I have to get involved, whether that’s through engineering clubs, internships, or co-ops. I’d like to mentor other students the way I’ve been mentored and am excited to be part of Auburn’s traditions,” Tucker said.

“I plan to get involved in student organizations like the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, pursue internships, and participate in research projects. I will also be participating in the Honors College and will be looking to participate in different clubs and activities,” Sansom said.

Riley is the son of Jason and Jessica Tucker with a sister, Macy.

Graycie is the daughter of Buffy and Brad Sansom with three siblings: Jax, Stella, and Maddie.