Buford High School’s vision for its students is excellence, specifically Triple A Excellence, with each A representing a pillar of that overall vision — academics, athletics and the arts. Senior Makenzie Burge has demonstrated excellence in all three areas.
Academically, the 17-year-old maintains a 4.0 GPA and is ranked 12th in her graduating class.
Athletically, Makenzie has been a varsity football cheerleader for the past three years at Buford — she started cheerleading in first grade.
Artistically, she is a member of the advanced women’s ensemble and has participated in chorus all four years of high school. She got her start in chorus as a second grader under the direction of Mr. Gary Lenz at Buford Academy.
“Displaying AAA Excellence is extremely important to me as I believe it creates friendships and experiences in different environments,” Makenzie said.
While she has shown excellence in all three areas, Makenzie said she believes she has excelled most in academics.
“I am able to push myself and know the right track for me; therefore, I am able to make wise decisions on the classes I take, the friendships that develop within my academic life, and the path that it will set me up for,” Makenzie said. “I believe that because of my self-motivation and drive that I am able to excel the best academically.”
Makenzie’s scores on AP exams demonstrate her academic success — she received a score of 5, the highest score possible, on the AP psychology exam and scores of 4 on exams in AP statistics, AP Seminar, AP Research and AP chemistry. She also completed the AP Capstone program. Makenzie is an AP Scholar, an honor granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more Advanced Placement exams, and an AP Scholar with Distinction, which recognizes students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more exams.
“I have a love for language arts — specifically reading and writing,” Makenzie said. “AP Seminar and Research really allowed me to step into mixing science, psychology, and writing; AP Research has been the most rewarding class I have taken because of this.”
She is an executive member of the Buford Leadership Team (two years — since its inception). For the past three years, she has junior coached a youth cheerleading team. She is a member of the National Honor Society (two years) and BETA Club (one year). As a senior, Makenzie joined DECA and placed first at region in theme speech. She is also a member of the yearbook staff.
For Makenzie, the most influential extracurricular activity has been her three-year involvement in a student leadership initiative that brings together three sophomores, three juniors and three seniors from schools throughout Gwinnett County for monthly learning sessions in the area of leadership.
“Being on the Gwinnett Student Leadership Team (GSLT) has been extremely influential in shaping myself,” Makenzie said. “Not only has this grown my tool-box of leadership knowledge, but (it) truly taught me how to create deep connections, collaborate, and serve others.”
Makenzie said if she could remain in one class the entire school day, she would choose the AP Research class that she took her junior year with Dr. Amber Simmons.
“Our class only had 8 people in it, and it was during the longest class period of the day,” she said. “Each day we had funny, engaging conversations. Our classroom truly felt like a little family.
“Dr. Simmons is my favorite teacher because of the genuine care she has for her students,” Makenzie continued. “She is open, honest, encouraging, and witty. She is extremely intelligent, and wholeheartedly believes in her students. I am forever grateful for her as an educator, and am so glad that I got to make so many memories in her classroom!”
After graduation, Mackenzie will attend the University of North Georgia’s Dahlonega campus to study kinesiology with a focus on pre-occupational therapy. She plans to become an occupational therapist.
Makenzie is the daughter of Buford residents Cory and Erin Burge. She has five siblings — 11-year-old Marlie Burge and 10-year-old Tristan Culberson, both students at Buford Senior Academy; Miles Burge, 9, and Lily Grace Culberson, 9, who both attend Buford Academy; and 6-year-old Emma Culberson, a student at Buford Elementary School.
Mackenzie said her father, Cory, a Buford High School alumnus of the Class of 2004 who is a member of the Buford Board of Education, is the most influential person in her life as he has shown perseverance through adversity.
“My dad is tough and protective, yet so gentle,” she said. “He encourages me daily and never fails to tell me how proud he is of me. He is intentional with the things that he does — always. Never have I seen my dad do something lazily, for he always puts his best foot forward. My dad has taught me that I am more capable than I give myself credit for. He has inspired me to always do my best, but to give myself grace when I fail.”
In late May, Makenzie will become a fifth-generation Buford High School graduate, and she is a “Lifetimer,” having attended Buford City Schools since day care. On the cusp of graduation, Makenzie shared this advice for underclassmen at Buford: “You have nothing to prove, only to share,” she said. “Your gifts are given to you, so don’t hold back on sharing them with others. You are wonderfully made, just as you are. Choose joy!”
Makenzie was voted by her peers as a Class Favorite — Most Likely to Brighten Your Day — and was chosen by faculty as Best All Around. She wants to be remembered by the Buford community as someone who encouraged others while showing kindness.
“I hope to be remembered as someone who was overly joyful,” she said. “I always have a smile on my face and am intentional about encouraging others — I believe that we can truly strengthen each other through words of encouragement.
“I hope that people remember my kindness and love that I showed them.”
