Wednesday, May 21, 2003
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Wednesday, May 21, 2003 |
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Graduation 2003 - One journey ends another begins By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
Earning the status of valedictorian and salutatorian is a long process, beginning with the first report cards of the freshman year of high school. Each grade that the students receive over the next four years figures in to their class ranking. As graduation nears, the students near the top of the class jockey for position and the top two students are awarded valedictorian and salutatorian status respectively. For their hard work they are rewarded with scholarships and praise and both students get the opportunity to address their class at commencement. It is an academic victory like no other, an achievement that is a part of that school's history forever. Congratulations.
LANDMARK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Valedictorian: Melissa Johnson of Peachtree City Johnson will attend Wake Forest University in the fall and plans on majoring in Business. Johnson received the Headmaster's Award, the Eagle Award, for straight A's all four years, and the Principal's Leadership Award this year as well as the Math Award for the highest cumulative grade point average in mathematics for all four years. Johnson played varsity tennis for three years and was also a varsity cheerleader for four years. She was captain of the cheerleading squad this year as well as Beta Club President, Head Prefect and Chaplain of National Honor Society. Johnson also attended Girls State, was a member of student government in her sophomore and junior years and was a member of FCA. Johnson's favorite teacher was Coach Kenny Dallas who taught her Bible class. "He had a big impact on my life this year," said Johnson. "A lot of my speech comes from things that I learned in his class. For example, we should redefine the word success. It is not about money or fame or power but rather the impact and influence we have on others' lives." Johnson will miss her friends most of all but will not miss AP Bilogy study sessions on Saturdays. Her best high school memories are of squirting water at people during chemistry labs and the fun she and her friends had in Coach Dallas' Bible Class.
Salutatorian: Emily Burslem of Fayetteville Burslem will attend Georgia Tech in the fall and plans on majoring in Business. Burslem received the Eagle Award, the Isiah Award for Best All-Around Student and the AJC Award for Best All-Around Senior. Burslem was a member of the varsity volleyball team and was captain this year, was a member of the varsity tennis team for three years and was involved in drama. She was secreatary of national Honor Society, member of Beta Club and FCA, Chapel Prefect, and vice president of the class in her sophomore and junior years. Burslem also attended Girls State and was the school's Hobie Representative. Burslem also cited Coach Dallas as her favorite teacher. "He was so inspiring to me," said Burslem. "When the bell would ring I would want to go out and change lives." She will miss her friends the most but will not miss Monday night and Saturday study sessions for biology or the massive amount of homework she had in high school. Her best high school memories are of her Bible class and the fun that everybody had.
STARR'S MILL HIGH SCHOOL Valedictorian: Justin Lai Lai will attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall and plans on majoring in mechanical engineering. He has received a scholarship for excellence in academics from The Organization of Chinese Americans. Lai is a member of the science olympiad and academic teams and an officer in National Honor Society. He played baritone in the marching band, euphonium in the wind ensemble and guitar in his youth group praise band. he also takes private piano lessons. In his graduation speech Lai plans to discuss pressing on towards the future. "My points will be learning from past mistakes and appreciating the blessings of the past and present in order to make better use of the future," said Lai. Lai chose not to single out a teacher as his favorite but stated that the best teachers have been willing to sacrifice time out of class, present the material in creative and innovative ways and love to teach and care about the students as people. Lai will miss interacting with his friends and classmates as well as Steak and Gravy days every Thursday. He will not miss the rules, restrictions and strict adherence to routine both inside and outside of the classroom. Some of his favorite high school memories include playing music at football games, enduring falls and crashes while learning to ski, running in a downpour in a dark, deserted Busch Gardens to get back with the group, and attending AP Chemistry study sessions where each member unselfishly contributed to the reinforcement of learning the materials and still making a good time out of it.
Salutatorian: Michael Mayo Mayo will attend Georgia Tech in the fall and plans to major in engineering. He has received the HOPE scholarship and the Governor's scholarship. Among his activities at the school are Beta Club and National Honor Society. he is also very involved with Braelinn Baptist Church's youth group. In his speech, Mayo plans to discuss making an impact on society. "This includes not only impacting obvious things like business and technology but also individual lives," Mayo said. Mayo's favorite teacher at the school is Coach Stephen Pruitt. "I have had him for three years now and I enjoy his witty approach to teaching," said Mayo. "Also, he invests himself personally into the lives of his students." Mayo also wishes to thank his parents for investing themselves heavily in his life. Mayo will miss his friends but will not miss the regimented schedule of high school life. His favorite high school memory is of making a short film for math class last year.
McINTOSH HIGH SCHOOL Valedictorian: Victoria Maree Fratto Fratto will attend The College of William and Mary. She has been named a James Monroe Scholar at the College of William and Mary as well as a National Merit Scholar. She has yet to decide on a major. "I am excited about attending the College of William and Mary next year, especially since I have been designated a James Monroe Scholar," said Fratto. "This program allows motivated students to explore subjects of special interest outside of the course offerings. For example, previous Monroe scholars have served internships for members of the British Parliament, conducted various scientific research projects and studied abroad." Fratto's extra curricular activities included four years on the varsity cross country team, three years on the science olympiad team, three years as a volunteer mentor at Kedron Elementary School, a volunteer at Fayette Community Hospital for the past two summers, membership in the French club and a part time job at Limited Too in The Avenue. She earned a letter all four years on the cross country team and was co-captain of the 2002 team and was co-captain of the science olympiad team in 2002 and 2003 as well. In her graduation speech, Fratto plans to discuss committment. "The committment of others, including parents, teachers and role models, has made each graduating senior the person he or she is today. Committment also involves making a committment to yourself and to the achievement of your dreams and goals in life." Fratto cites Kathy Porto, her French teacher, as her favorite teacher and states that she will miss her firends the most and the stench of the Bradford Pear trees the least. Her favorite high school memory is of the camraderie on the cross country team.
Salutatorian: Robert Huefner Huefner will attend Harvard in the fall and plans to major in Biology. He was named a 2003 Coca-Cola Scholar, a National Merit Scholar, a Fayette County STAR Student, has received a full tuition Army ROTC scholarship and was the Wendy's High School Heisman National Award Winner. Huefner has also been named to the adidas/NSCAA High School Scholar All-American soccer team and was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by his peers. Huefner was captain of the varsity soccer and science olympiad teams, editor of the school paper, a member of the varsity football and cross country teams, National Honor Society, Beta Club, band, German National Honor Society and the yearbook. His favorite teachers are A.P. English teacher Patricia Dobbs Carmen and math teacher and 2003 Star Teacher Doug Austin. Huefner states that he will his friends the most and the structured school days and people looking over your shoulder the least. His favorite high school memories are winning the state soccer chanmpionship and finishing second in the nation in 2000 and winning the High School Heisman award last fall.
SANDY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL Valedictorian: Savannah Solomon Solomon will attend Georgia Tech in the fall and plans on majoring in International Affairs and Economics. She has received the Toyota Community and Discover Card Gold Scolarhips and was named a Girl Scout Young Woman of Distinction. At Sandy Creek, Solomon was a member of the Key Club, Beta Club, French Club, National Honor Society, math team, Young Life and the soccer team. She was also class secretary and involved with Red Carpet Day. Her favorite teacher at the school is Mark DeCourcy. "He takes subjects that are potentially dry and boring and makes them fun," said Solomon. "He has a good sense of humor and he actually cares that every person understands the topic." Among the things she will miss about high school, Solomon will miss knowing everyone and having a history with people as well as the lack of true responsibility. She will not miss not being taken seriously nor the people who think that high school is the most important thing they will do. For her favorite high school memories, she cites watching the football team beat Woodward at their homecoming, roadtrips though Tennessee and dancing all so many nights long.
Salutatorian: Norman H. "Trea" Ward III Ward will attend Georgia Tech in the fall and plans to major in Industrial Engineering. He recievd a $500 scholarship from the Georgia Mining Foundation. Among his extra curricular activities, Ward particpated in football, baseball, National Honor Society, French Honor Society and Beta Club. Ward's favorite teacher at Sandy Creek is history teacher Mr. Pattiz. "The omnipresent question "What if?" had the class pondering the countless ways history might have been different if a small change occurred," said Ward. "He was also a good friend." Ward states that if he will miss anything about high school he will miss the stability and environment surrounded by intellectuals and peers along with his friends. He will miss the homework and the rules the least. His favorite high school memory is of catching two interceptions in two consecutive footbal games early in his senior season.
FAYETTE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Valedictorian: Karen Wallace Wallace will attend the University of Georgia in the fall and has yet to decide on a major. She recieved the Mercer University Presidential Scholarship, the Berry College Academic Scholarship and the HOPE Scholarship. Wallace was a member of the Select Chorus, the Class of 2003 Executive Board, Beta Club, First Priority and her church youth group. Her graduation speech will congratulate and encourage her fellow classmates. "I want to remind everyone of the importance of striving for excellence in all you do," said Wallace. "It is also important to not let mistakes in the past hold you back from a great, successful future." Wallace's favorite teacher is Mr. Mason, her homeroom teacher and former math teacher. "He is an extremely intelligent, energetic and encouraging person. He encourages all of his students to do their best and to never give up," said Wallace. "Mr. Mason has inspired me to have a positive outlook on all situations I face and to strive for excellence in all I do." She will miss the opportunity to see so many of her friends on a daily basis but will not miss the routine daily schedule of high school. Her favorite high school memory is the Select Chorus trip to New York City in February.
Salutatorian: Katie Wallace Wallace will attend Berry College in the fall and has not yet decided on a major. She recieved the Mercer University Presidential Scholarship, the Berry College Academic Scholarship and the HOPE Scholarship. Wallace was a member of the Select Chorus, the Class of 2003 Executive Board, National Honor Society, First Priority and her church youth group. She also enjoys playing tennis and working out. In her graduation speech, Wallace wil encourage her fellow graduates to cherish the friends and memories they have made, make wise decisions now and in the future and use the gifts and talents they have been blessed with to make a difference. Her favorite teacher at the school is Mr. Kuykendall, her AP Chemistry teacher. "He goes above and beyond other teachers in his effort to teach a college level course while still maiking the class enjoyable," said Wallace. "He challenges the students academically while also genuinely caring about them as people." She will miss the time she gets to spend with her friends but will not miss the routine of the 8:40 a.m.-3:20 p.m. days Monday through Friday. Her favorite high school memory is of the trip to New York City in February. The Select Chorus toured the city, saw the sights and sang at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
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