Lela Moser Makes History As The First Black Valedictorian At Scottsboro High School In Alabama – AfroTech
Lela Moser has made history at her Alabama high school, which was founded 132 years ago.
The Jackson County Sentinel reports that Moser is a recent graduate of Scottsboro High School in Scottsboro. Her uncle, Sam McCamy, was part of the first group of Black students to integrate at the institution in 1967.
“At one time, I could not enter into the drugstore,” he told the outlet.
However, he noted that teachers at the school welcomed the students with open arms.
Moser felt her experience at times mirrored that of her uncle. Representation was still limited. She was the only Black student in dual enrollment and AP classes. Despite feeling lonely, she dedicated her time to serving in a leadership role.
“You can become the example that you need for yourself,” Moser told the outlet. “No matter what barriers are in front of you, always work around them and chase your goals because anything is possible as long as you work hard. It will pay off in the end.”
Making History
And it certainly paid off. She graduated from high school in May as a seven-time state track and field champion, per WAFF, and with honor cords and scholarships. She also made history at the school as its first Black valedictorian. She described it as a “full-circle moment,” but also acknowledged that there is far more groundwork to do regarding representation.
“I hope people take from our story that achieving the impossible is possible and that there’s still a long way to go in history,” she explained, according to Jackson County Sentinel. “Even though it’s 2026, we still have some barriers being broken — like me becoming the first Black valedictorian — but there’s still a long way to go in the community in the sense that we need to grow as a community.”
As for what’s ahead, Moser was accepted into the Samuel L. Ginn College of Engineering program at Auburn University. She is a Ginn Scholar, which means tuition, fees, room, and board will be covered, WAFF reports.
