It has been a busy year for Statesboro STEAM Academy’s 2020 valedictorian Abigail Lorden. In spite of not having a “normal” senior year due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, her days have been full of activity. The 17-year-old only had one high school class, but was dual-enrolled at Georgia Southern University, where she has been accepted into the honors program.

After graduation, she plans to continue at GSU, majoring in special education. She likes being around special needs people and loves teaching and helping in the classroom, so it is a natural fit, she said. “I would like to work with people who need extra attention.”

Abigail enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading and occasionally playing certain video games. She is a middle child, with an older brother and younger sister, and is the daughter of Patrick and Anastasia Lorden of Statesboro.