Future Colonel Mia Newton Marches Toward a Bright Future
Gary Newman
The Ashland Beacon
The end of any chapter is merely the transition into a new chapter of a story where turning the page is met with the optimism of new beginnings and the lessons learned from the previous chapter. Graduation is such an end of one chapter that will transition into an optimistic new beginning. For 2023 Fairview Co-Valedictorian Mia Newton, that’s a very bright new beginning.
Newton’s high school career began at Williamstown, and after 3 years at Fairview, she’s written a special chapter full of accomplishments and accolades. In sports, she’s played soccer for one year (before the move to Fairview), served three years as Co-Captain for Varsity Basketball and Varsity Cheerleading, and Captain for Varsity Tennis.
As a basketball player, she noted that she was, “Sad walking away from basketball.” Newton faced continuing struggles her senior season that involved a number of setbacks, including a dislocation injury and watching a collection of injuries take a toll on the Lady Eagles. Newton sadly recalled how difficult it was when she lost Kiera (Loving) and Ashton (Stidham) in basketball and had to go through that without them.
Cheerleading has been her most enduring sport; walking away from it was particularly challenging. “As a cheerleader, I feel like it was more bittersweet than some of the other sports I’ve played.”
“Mia is an extraordinary young lady. She is a leader in the classroom and on the field of play. She encourages her teammates and her classmates. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to teach and coach such an intelligent, competitive, and compassionate young lady,” Fairview teacher and tennis coach Carrie Tomlin shared, “I know Mia will achieve whatever she pursues in life.”
Her resume is so solid in sports, but even more impressive academically. Newton compiled, “. I completed the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership program as a sophomore. Last year, I was a part of the Honor Guard.
I’ve gotten the Principal’s Highest Distinction, President’s Award for Educational Excellence, and KHSAA Academic All-State every year. I was a 2023 Soaring Eagle, Co-secondary ready, completed the marketing program and National Occupational Competency Testing Institute exam for Nursing, and I am one of five valedictorians.”
Fairview teacher and cheer coach Valerie Price shared, “It’s been a pleasure getting to know Mia the last two years. I’m excited to see what’s next for her! She’s quiet, hard-working, competitive and has a bright future ahead.”
While her senior year has flown by, she’s been consistent in delivering the highest output in sports and academic pursuits. “The last few weeks I’ve just been doing a whole bunch of scholarships, been focusing on finals and school, studying for those, finished up tennis just a couple of weeks ago,” Newton shared, and noted that all year, she’s been deliberately working at improving her social skills, making a conscious effort to know others better. “I feel like I’ve been a pretty shy person, and this year I just decided to reach out to people and get to know new people outside of just the people I have classes with.” Senior year’s biggest change lies in being able to talk to people. “I was able to talk to people, but I couldn’t carry on a conversation with somebody in August, and now I can go up to about anybody and talk about whatever.” While she’s tried to keep this year in perspective, she’s quick to admit that it’s been more laughs than tears.
One thing that’s been instrumental in her continuous success is the support system that is in place for her. “My parents, Pam and Roger, they’re there for all my sporting events, and if I ever need help on an assignment, just trying to learn how to figure it out, they always explain it to me more so I can do it.” Additionally, “My brother, me and him talk every couple of weeks, keep him updated.” Newton expressed gratitude for all that’s been done for her. “I’m thankful for my parents and my brother just how supportive they are; they do a lot more than I probably realize.”
Next up for Newton—Eastern Kentucky University where she’ll study Athletic Training. “I want to become an athletic trainer either for a high school or a college hopefully somewhere down where it’s warm…South Carolina, Florida, maybe Georgia,” Mia shared, “When I was in middle school, I thought I wanted to be a physical therapist because I broke my leg. I had lots of physical therapy, and it made me think I just wanted to be around that. I looked at the classes and decided not to do that because I think athletic training would be a little easier on me. I like being around sports, so it will be a good way for me to stay around it.”
Newton hopes her legacy will be her kindness. One thing’s for certain: Whatever the next chapter brings, Mia Newton will transition into a story that is full of hard work, leadership, determination, and intelligence. That’s all the ingredients of a story that will inspire others to keep turning the page.
