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March 2025 - Megha Amin
Name:
Megha Amin
Year Graduated from FPHS:
2015
Colleges (s) attended:
UAB & UAB School of Dentistry
Where did you graduate? Year? Degree(s)?
UAB, graduated December 2018
UAB School of Dentistry, graduated June 2023
What is your current occupation and job title?
I am currently working as a general dentist at Wilson & Fiquett DMD, PC in Fort Payne, AL.
How has something you learned at FPHS helped you in your career or life journey?
FPHS gave so many opportunities to be active in extracurricular activities and academically which allowed me to develop crucial social and leadership skills that were useful during my college and dental school journey.
What was your favorite high school class at FPHS?
My favorite FPHS class was dual enrollment English with Ms. Anna Shugart.
Who was your favorite teacher at FPHS and why?
She was my favorite teacher. Her class was engaging and entertaining. Ms. Shugart helped me write my graduation speech and letter of recommendation for dental school.
I am very grateful for her help and support throughout all these years.
I would say that all of the teachers/faculty were encouraging and supportive!What is your favorite memory from high school? Or a special story you would like to share?
My favorite memory from high school was being part of the yearbook club. I enjoyed working on the yearbook all year long and capturing memories/pictures of all the different events that occurred throughout the year.
What advice would you give to current high school students about education and pursuing their future careers?
I would recommend to them to start figuring out which college they want to attend and which major they want to choose as early as possible, so they can optimize their time in high school to take dual enrollment courses/AP courses in order to get a head start on requirements. It is also very helpful to apply to every scholarship opportunity; any small amount will help tremendously in the future.
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November 2024 - Abigail (Gwarjanski) Trumbore
Name:
Abigail (Gwarjanski) Trumbore
Year Graduated from FPHS:
2013
Colleges (s) attended:
The University of Alabama (undergraduate)
The University of Florida (postgraduate)
Where did you graduate? Year? Degree(s)?
The University of Alabama (2017) Major: Public Relations
The University of Florida (2018) Master of Science in Sport Management
What is your current occupation and job title?
Marketing Consultant at ABC 33/40.
I help businesses grow their brands by developing and implementing effective marketing strategies, managing digital presence, and creating promotional campaigns.
How has something you learned at FPHS helped you in your career or life journey?
I genuinely believe that everyone, no matter their background, can find something in common. So often we focus on the differences, but Fort Payne High School is such a beautiful example of how many different people come together to learn and grow up together.
What was your favorite high school class at FPHS?
The first one that comes to mind is French class with Mrs. Brandon. It was such a unique class, and she was so passionate about the subject. My husband and I are actually going to France this year, so I really need to go back in time and try to remember some key phrases!
Who was your favorite teacher at FPHS and why?
I loved the challenges of math, so I immediately thought of Mr. Pendergrass and Mrs. Sayre. But I also loved the creativity that Chef Henry’s and Mrs. Elliott’s classes allowed. Looking back, Fort Payne was so fortunate to have such well-rounded classes. It allows students with different strengths to really shine in their area(s) of expertise!
What is your favorite memory from high school? Or a special story you would like to share?
The Friday pep rallies always hold such a special place in my heart. One that specifically comes to mind is my senior year where I pretended to be Coach Cochran and tried to emulate the fourth quarter tradition from The University of Alabama’s football team. It was such a full circle moment because the next year, I went to The University of Alabama and worked along side Coach Cochran as a football coach's assistant. Roll Tide!
What advice would you give to current high school students about education and pursuing their future careers?
My questions would be:
1. What do you love to do?
2. What do you genuinely want to learn more about?
For example, are you curious about going into the dental field? Don’t be afraid to ask to shadow your orthodontist! Sure, it may be a week of unpaid labor, but now you can see firsthand what a week in-the-life looks like. When I oversaw the student volunteers in The University of Florida’s football program, I would always tell them to intern as many places as possible. It was even more important to figure out what you don’t like to do than finding out what you do like to do. Internships and shadow opportunities are the perfect time to decide what strengths you have, if you like living in a certain city, what management styles you adapt to the best, etc. Never be afraid to go up to a professional and ask them how they got started in their role, and ask as many questions as possible!
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October 2024 -Tyler Fraebel
Name:
Tyler Fraebel
Year Graduated from FPHS:
2014
Colleges (s) attended:
Auburn University (2018)
Where did you graduate? Year?
Auburn University - 2018
Degree(s)?
BSBA – Finance
What is your current occupation and job title?
Management Consultant at Accenture
In a nutshell, I work with large companies to help them identify ways to save money and optimize their operations.
How has something you learned at FPHS helped you in your career or life journey?
When I think back to my time at FPHS, I am honestly astounded by how much was crammed into every single day… Despite all of the madness, stress, and exhaustion at times; as I reflect, that is exactly what life is in every chapter. The names, tasks, and priorities change, but I am thankful that I learned early to (1) pursue experiences I truly am interested in, (2) give 110% effort in those things, and (3) balance a busy workload because life is lived to its fullest extent in that way.
What was your favorite high school class at FPHS?
Honors Anatomy was a class I will never forget: the putrid smell of formaldehyde, and our group dissecting what may have been the largest house cat to ever live (25+ pounds) would make that impossible. That class was one of the first times I remember being able to actually choose a course that sounded really interesting to me. At the end of that semester (fall of senior year), I was so hooked that I decided I was going to study Biological Science – a.k.a. “Pre-Med” – at Auburn and go on to medical school one day and pursue my newfound love of science. To be fair, that dream only lasted a year and a half, but hey… it was fun while it lasted!
Who was your favorite teacher at FPHS and why?
I would have to say Mrs. Varnadore – a phenomenal English teacher, but an even better person. She, “Coach V”, and their kids moved to Fort Payne as my senior year started, and we all got very close immediately due to our love of sports and anything to do with Auburn. We stay in touch to this day, and she has been a constant motivator and supporter for me and so many others over the years.
What is your favorite memory from high school? Or a special story you would like to share?
It would have to be the time the FPHS baseball team went viral for doing a “Harlem Shake” video and all of the fun that came along with it.
What advice would you give to current high school students about education and pursuing their future careers?
It’s a competitive world out there – so chase your dreams, and chase them hard (because someone else is, too). Whether you are in the classroom, on the field at practice, out in the community, or working a job; every second of the day presents a chance pursue the skills, knowledge, and/or relationships you need to reach your goals. If you don’t hear it from anyone else, hear it from me: whatever “it” is, you can do it.
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September 2024 - Alicia Williams
Name:
Alicia Williams
Year Graduated from FPHS:
2011
Colleges (s) attended:
Mercer University, Auburn University, UAB
Where did you graduate? Year? Degree(s)?
Bachelors of Science in Biology from Mercer University, graduated 2015
Rural Health Studies from Auburn University, graduated 2017
Doctor of Medicine from UAB, graduated 2021
Pediatric Residency at UAB, graduated 2024
Allergy and Immunology Fellowship, Vanderbilt University, current- 2026
What is your current occupation and job title?
I am a physician fellow at Vanderbilt University specializing in Allergy and Immunology.
How has something you learned at FPHS helped you in your career or life journey?
I learned the value of confidence. So many teachers, coaches, etc. at FPHS always poured into me and made me feel like I could achieve and become anything I set my mind to, and I believed them. I also appreciate the environment of FPHS. Feeling like you're in a school system that is safe and that you are surrounded by people who genuinely care about you is a privilege, and I really appreciate that.
What was your favorite high school class at FPHS?
Genetics
Who was your favorite teacher at FPHS and why?
This one is hard! There were so many great teachers. Mrs. Jennings stands out to me for sure though because she convinced me to take genetics, which is the class that really got me interested in science and eventually deciding to become a doctor.
What is your favorite memory from high school? Or a special story you would like to share?
I loved going to the Final Four with our basketball team! We are still good friends, and I will forever cherish that time with everyone! I appreciate how much support we had, and I appreciate Coach Sparks and Coach Boatwright for pushing us and believing in us.
I also remember tearing my labrum in my right shoulder and Coach Wells teaching me how to hit left handed and allowing me to do so in the last game of our season. That meant so much to me! Lesson: if you can't do it one way, there's always another way!
What advice would you give to current high school students about education and pursuing their future careers?
Don't limit yourself. Think about what you enjoy and think about how you can pursue that successfully. Make connections and get mentors early. There are truly unlimited opportunities out there that you won't know about if you don't take the time to meet and connect with people. You may discover an opportunity that you'd never even considered! And finally, but most importantly, do not do things that can permanently affect your future. Have fun and enjoy your youth but always remember to be an individual and protect yourself from decisions that could harm you in the long run.
