Friends & Neighbors: Meet Hannah Wildes

Can you imagine being taught how to read, write and do math at age 3 — by your 5-year-old brother?

That may sound unusual and even amazing, but to Hannah Wildes, that was merely her starting point. Now a senior at Murray County High School, the 17-year-old boasts an SAT score of 2,210, numerous awards including a National Merit Scholarship commendation, and a likely title of class valedictorian, according to assistant principal Nancy Pettit. And it all began with flash cards and Dr. Seuss books with brother Jacob.

“He already knew a lot of stuff, and he wanted me to learn, too,” said Wildes. “He was very patient with me.”

Learning came easy to the siblings. Their parents, Kerry and Patsy, were educators themselves. Originally from Lanier County in South Georgia, the couple moved to Chatsworth when Wildes was 6 because Murray County offered a gifted program and “the school system was better.” Kerry currently teaches math at Murray County High and is a former boys varsity basketball coach, while Patsy serves as a homemaker. Neither were slouches in high school.

“Mom was valedictorian of her class, and Dad was salutatorian,” said Wildes. “Things come easily to us. It’s an easy understanding. My younger sister Rebekah is smart too but more in a creative sense.”

One may think that spending all that time hitting the books meant that Wildes had no time for fun. Think again.

“I spent a lot of time reading, but I watched a lot of TV, too,” she said. “We also spent a lot of time outside playing — kickball, playing in the woods, riding bikes and jumping on trampolines. I played every sport offered at the Rec for a few years, was in Girl Scouts and took dance for a few years. I’m not too graceful so I don’t dance now.”

At Gladden Middle, all that activity became a distant memory once Wildes was introduced to playing flute in the school band under Lynn Infanger. A professed lifelong music lover who once served in the children’s choir at church in Lanier County along with Jacob, Wildes quickly found a place where she could finally be comfortable. In seventh grade she discovered another love.

High school theater. Yes, high school.

“I fell in love with it,” said Wildes. “I liked spending that time with high schoolers. And it’s fun pretending you’re someone else. The music was my favorite part.”

Her ability to sing helped her land roles, starting with a role in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.” Wildes says her first time onstage caused a brief moment of anxiety but really none since.

“I’m a perfectionist,” she said. “I want to do everything I can to make sure the audience enjoys the show.”

That determination helped her earn a spot in the Governor’s Honor’s theater program this past summer — a feat no Murray County student had enjoyed in the past 12 years. Four students auditioned this time around, and Wildes said she left mortified.

“I was sure I had flubbed the audition,” she said. “I had never done improv before.”

She and the other theater participants immersed themselves in a month-long program in Valdosta that Wildes describes as summer camp with a college feel.

“You get totally into theater and performing arts,” she said. “I chose painting and visual arts as my minor and ended up with a self-portrait in an art show. We wrote plays, did improv shows and I made some of the best friends I’ve ever made.”

Valdosta was also only 15 minutes from Lanier County, so Wildes was able to spend lots of quality time with relatives. She was appreciative they were nearby, since there weren’t too many other familiar faces and it was also her first time away from home that long.

“I was pretty ready to come home by the end,” said Wildes.

Now she’s looking ahead to finishing up high school and moving on to college. Wildes hopes to attend Georgia State University in Atlanta and major in something education-related with a minor in English composition or theater.

“I want to work with high school or college-age kids,” she said.

She’s also stayed busy by juggling schoolwork, serving as assistant drum major in the band and performing in plays. So how does she keep it all straight?

“I have very understanding directors,” said Wildes. “They’re very accommodating and helpful. Melissa Adams (theater), Mike Weaver (band director) and Angela Greeson (choral director) are the best. Mom helps out a lot, too. If she wasn’t at home I don’t know how I’d make it.”

What accomplishment is she most proud of?

“I’m most proud of having done the best I could do in everything,” said Wildes. “I think I have.”

Her only regret?

“I finally realized there’s life after high school,” Wildes said. “Getting involved in petty drama is something I wouldn’t do again. Oh, and I wish I’d tried out for a sport or something.”

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