NOVINGER, MO -- Teale Hocker is a hard working, goal setting, cheerleading student at the top of her class.

“Her dedication and her motivation to be successful has always been a big thing for her. She always puts in extra effort, she asks questions, she comes in when she needs help. She has always worked hard to be successful, said Dale Whitacre, a Novinger Social Studies Teacher.

When she's not studying, Teale stays busy with a full load of school activities.

“I am captain of the varsity cheerleading squad. I am vice president of FBLA, I am secretary of NHS, I participate in the flags, I'm a flag girl. I'm in Renaissance, I'm in honor roll, I'm in A –Plus,” said Hocker.

Next year she plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University. Her favorite school subjects led her to the decision to study business and financial planning.

“I love math. Math is my easiest subject. I just love it. I have to think about it, it makes me think harder and I have to strive for what I want,” Hocker said.

Although she is looking forward to the independence that comes along with college, Teale says she will miss a few things about her alma mater.

“How little it is. I know everyone in my class, know them personally. All of them are important to me and I'm just gonna miss it. It's like a family here for me,” Hocker said.

And in the end, it was hard work and dedication that made her high school career such a big success.

“I make goals for myself, I try to reach those goals,  I strive for those goals, so basically I would tell them definitely make goals for yourself, strive to reach those goals, make more goals, just keep trying to do better and better,” Hocker said.

KTVO congratulates Teale Hocker from Novinger High School!