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LINCOLNTON––She is among the very best.

She is Emily Stroupe. And according to school counsellor Laura Thornhill, Stroupe is among the best graduates in the class of 2024 at North Lincoln High.

The daughter of Matthew and Leslie Stroupe and older sister of Justin Stroupe, Miss Stroupe told The Herald more about herself Tuesday. Born in Charlotte, she was raised in Lincolnton.

Stroupe revealed that her favorite classes at NLHS were AP (advanced placement) American history and AP research, respectively taught by Mark Ewing and Brett Furguson.

“I think Mr. Furguson had the most influence on me,” she said. “I was one of the few students who participated in the first AP Capstone program (a prestigious College Board diploma program) at North Lincoln. To achieve this, we were required to take AP seminar and AP research. Mr. Furguson took on the challenge of teaching these two courses for the first time, and I had him both semesters for both junior and senior year. He also taught me AP language and AP literature. I’ve spent a lot of time in his classroom, and I feel he’s really helped me to become a better learner and student.”

Whilst at North Lincoln, Stroupe served in student government and was a member of the National Honor Society. The president of the Spirit Club, she was also a member of the Beta, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and Community Health clubs.

On the far left, Stroupe is joined by friends Emma Grace Ramsey, Sidney Black and Sadie Boyles. All are NLHS grads who dance at Star-Struck Dance Studio.

“I was also a varsity cheerleader for the school,” she revealed, “as well as a competitive dancer at the Star-Struck Dance Studio.”

Come August, Stroupe will be off to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she plans to major in business administration. She’ll also be a member of the university’s Gold-Dusters Dance Team.

(Left) Stroupe is joined here by her prom date, boyfriend Landin Alterio; (Right) Stroupe performs a challenging dance routine.

“After my under-grad, I hope to pursue law school,” she said. “In 10 years, I hope I am still pursuing this.”

To the class of ’24, Stroupe offered good advice.

“Try new things,” she said, “and push yourself in every way. You never know what you’re capable of until you try.”

Seen here are the 2024 North Lincoln senior varsity cheerleaders. From the left are Sara Fitzsimmons, Sadie Allyn Kiser, Angely Soto, Emma Grace Ramsey, Ellery Edwards, Emma Kate Glass, Emily Stroupe, Olivia Frederick and Heather Wigger.

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