Sulphur Bluff Independent School District officials announced Emerson G. Fite as valedictorian and Zaylee Ann Peyton as salutatorian of the Sulphur Bluff High School Senior Class of 2026. Graduation will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 29, in the Sulphur Bluff ISD gym.
Valedictorian
Valedictorian Emerson G. Fite, daughter of Clayton and Cassie Fite, transferred from Benton, Louisiana to SBHS as a freshman and is graduating with a 5.12 grade point average.
After Fite meets the requirements to become a registered nurse, she intends to continue her education through Texas Tech University’s Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetics (CRNA) Program. While at Texas Tech, she plans to double major in human development and nursing, and participate in the honors program. She wants to be able to provide high-quality anesthetic care to patients and take part in medical mission trips.
During high school, Fite has earned an associate’s degree in allied health from Paris Junior College, where she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
While attending SBHS, Fite has held the leadership positions of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America president, class president and Beta Club historian. She has also been part of the Chick-fil-A Leadership Program, Hopkins County Student Leadership program. She also was a member of Future Farmers of America, played club volleyball and is a Big Future Ambassador with College Board.
Fite was chosen as the keynote speaker at the Region 8 2026 Student Leadership Conference, and received a Rural and Small Town Recognition Award through the College Board for Outstanding Academic Achievement.
Fite has played varsity volleyball, basketball, track and field, varsity golf and varsity softball. During her high school sports career, she has earned a number of recognitions, including Academic All-District in basketball, Academic All-State for volleyball, 2024 Volleyball Newcomer of the Year, 2025 Volleyball Offensive MVP. She also qualified for the state competition in shot put in 2025.
She attends Shannon Oaks Church, where she volunteers with the children’s ministry. Fite also volunteers with Servants of Hope, participating in an annual mission trip to Costa Rica.
Fite has been employed at the Plain & Fancy Sandwich Shoppe downtown, White Oak Buffet and Lake Fork Fish House, as well.
When asked if there are any special people in her life who have made a difference, Fite explained that her grandfathers (Pappaw and Big Jim) are the most compassionate and hard working people she knows, and strives to be just like them.
“Focus on what you need to do and be a good person, then push others forward,” Fite said, when asked what advice she would give to other students. “‘Let us encourage one another towards acts of love and good works,’ Hebrews 10:24.”
Salutatorian
SBHS Senior Class of 2026 salutatorian Zaylee Ann Peyton, daughter of Matthew and Sandra Peyton of Dike, has been attending SBISD since she was in kindergarten. She will be graduating with a 5.08 GPA.
Following graduation, Peyton plans to major in nursing at Tarleton State University. She wants to get her master’s of science in nursing to one day become a nurse practitioner.
“I’ve always had a passion for helping others,” Peyton said. “I want to be a light in scary times.”
During her high school career, Peyton has obtained her associate’s degree in allied health through PJC’s dual credit program.
She has held a number of leadership positions, including serving as FFA treasurer, Beta Club historian, SSHS class president for two years and vice president for one. She was also in FCCLA and was in the Hopkins County student leadership program.
Peyton was also on the University Interscholastic League math team which placed fifth last year at the district competition and advanced to regionals after placing second this year. In 2024, she also competed at the State Beta Convention, winning first place honors in the two-dimensional design event.
Peyton was valedictorian her 8th grade year at SBISD, and she has been recognized for being on the A Honor Roll all four years of high school.
In basketball, Peyton received First Team Academic All-District all four years, District Newcomer of the Year in 2023, the Cap Herman Award, Texas Girl’s Coaches Association (TGCA) All-State Team in 2025 and 2026, TGCA Academic All-State Team in 2026 and school Co-MVP in 2025.
In volleyball, she made First Team All-District in 2023, District Co-MVP in 2025, District Offensive Player of the Year in 2024, Texas Sports Writer’s Association (TSWA) All-State Team in 2024 and 2025, TGCA Academic All-State in 2025 and TGCA All-State Team in 2025.
In cross country, Peyton qualified for state in 2024. She was also voted MVP in 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was on the Cross Country Coaches Association of Texas All-Region Team in 2024.
Peyton has been part of the district champion golf team since 2023. She was also part of the regional championship team in 2025, and the state qualifying team in 2024 and 2025.
Peyton also was honored as Athlete of the Year in 2025 and received the Fighting Bear Award in 2023.
The SBHS Class of 2026 salutatorian currently shadows at the CHRISTUS Sports Orthopedic Clinic, and volunteers as a coach for the local Little Dribblers program. She is also an active member of the Independence Baptist Church.
“Nothing worth doing is easy,” Peyton said, when asked what advice she would give to other students. “Even when it’s hard, keep your head up and keep working.”
According to Peyton, her parents, her granny and her pop have made the biggest difference in her life, and have always pushed the importance of education.
“Going to school with my classmates at Sulphur Bluff has been an honor to experience and grow beside each other for 13 years,” Peyton said.