Barbie-Doll Moore II, a rising senior at Southside High School, knows what hard work will get her. She was recently named chief marshal for this year’s graduation ceremony, an honor given to the top of the junior class. And as the top of her class, she doesn’t only boast an impressive academic resume. She is active in a variety of clubs and organizations and gives her time frequently, adding an element of volunteerism to her overall success.

Moore said she realized the importance of excelling in academics and having a good work ethic when she was in middle school.

“I grasped the idea I needed a good education to ensure a good future for myself,” Moore said. “And I’ve always had motivation from my family to do well.”

As a student leading the Class of 2016 into its senior year, she has graced the school’s “A” honor roll since freshman year, enrolling in an array of Honors and college-level courses. Among the rigorous coursework she has undertaken in addition to honors courses offered at the school includes: classes offered through Beaufort County Community College; Second Life through East Carolina University, a virtual environment equivalent to an online classroom; and an online class through the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Moore said.

“I feel like these classes have prepared me for my college years ahead,” Moore said. “You have to plan things out yourself, and it’s given me more discipline, responsibility and time management. It’s made me more organized and made me keep myself on track because you have to stay on top of your game. It gives me a better idea of what college is actually going to be like.”

Throughout her high school career, Moore has been recognized for multiple character education traits — good judgment, cleanliness, citizenship, responsibility, respect, perseverance and patience, setting a standard for her peers as a model student, according to her resume of achievements. Most recently, Moore was awarded a countywide certificate of achievement in perseverance and patience on May 26 at the Beaufort County Board of Education meeting, she said.

“I think it’s important to show these characteristics,” Moore said. “It’s not about getting an award. It’s important to carry yourself to a certain standard, which will get you further in life.”

Moore has also become active in various student clubs at SHS, including Math Club, Beta Club, Key Club, Science Club and SGA, and played a huge role in forming a new club at the school, Global Issues, according to Moore’s English II Honors teacher Meredith Southworth.

“She helped us form (Global Issues), initially,” Southworth said. “She was very much apart of making our club excel and that was due, in part, to her determined nature. I have all the confidence in the world that she will be an amazing leader in the world that awaits her. She is a fantastic student.”

Moore has also shown a strong dedication to volunteerism, some of which has been done through her involvement in student clubs. However, she frequently gives her time at local churches like St. Francis Missionary Baptist and Ware Creek in her community of Blounts Creek.

As Moore enters her last year of high school, she hopes to excel and remain top of her class, she said. She also hopes to go into chemical engineering and wants to attend N.C. State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Moore’s mother Barbie Corbett-Moore, her biggest supporter, gave comments about her daughter’s achievements and her hopes for her future.

“I am so proud of her,” Corbett-Moore said in an email. “Each time something good happens (with her), I want to scream it from a mountaintop. I am so proud of her and her achievements. She deserves all that she gets because she is truly humble, driven and blessed with a gift. She is very determined and focused and when things come her way, I always tell her to stay prayed up. (No matter the challenge) I always say, ‘Pray about it and let the Lord work it out.’ She makes her parents — Barbie Corbett-Moore and Patrick Moore — and Nana very proud, and we look forward to her senior year. We are praying that she can be valedictorian and walk away with full scholarships from various universities.”