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Fayette County High School's valedictorian, Chang Long Wu, has a 99 grade point average and plans to enter Emory University in the fall. He will major in chemistry and pre med.

Wu has attended Fayette County schools since the sixth grade. His favorite subjects were advanced placement psychology and chemistry. Chang's favorite recollections of high school life are the senior prom and “being with friends.”

He was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, debate team, congressional debate team, tennis team, Spanish Club, Spanish Honor Society and the math team. “I'm concerned and angry about recent acts of school violence, such as the tragedy at Columbine,” Wu said. “But you can't blame the music industry or computer games,” he said. “Students have to hold themselves responsible.” Wu is the son of Cheng Long and Ying Chao Wu. He has a sister who attends Starr's Mill High School.

This year's salutatorian is Matthew Condit, who is headed for Georgia Tech with plans to major in computer engineering. He has attended Fayette County High since his sophomore year.

Condit played the trumpet in the school band, and prior to moving to Fayetteville, marched with his former high school band in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He was a member of the Beta Club, Model United Nations, National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society.

His favorite memories of high school will be the people. Pet subjects included science and history. His advice to incoming freshmen was: “Do your best.” He is the son of Susan and Howard Condit.

Tom Flaherty is Sandy Creek High School's valedictorian. He is an aspiring actor and singer who will attend New York University's College of Arts and Sciences in the fall. He plans to study foreign relations, music and theatre. Flaherty has attended Sandy Creek all four years and has performed in numerous school productions, most recently playing a leading role in West Side Story. This summer, he will participate in a student exchange program in Braunschweig, Germany. “I'll be staying with a host family for three weeks, then travel across Europe,” he said. Flaherty believes his best high school experience was being involved in the fine arts program, particularly chorus, drama and music. A student performance at Carnegie Hall “inspired me” Flaherty said and really played a part in his decision to pursue the arts as a possible career choice.

He has run cross-country for three years and is Merit Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, German Club, Select Mixed Chorus, and the International Thespian Society. Flaherty has achieved the Boy Scout rank of “Life Scout,” and has been an active member of the LifeTeen program at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. His advice to graduates is, “Life is full of choices; make the best ones that you can. Do your best.” Flaherty lives in Tyrone with his parents Daniel and Riene Flaherty.

Sandy Creek's salutatorian is Keelan Seabolt, who will attend Georgia Tech on the President's Scholarship. He plans to study chemical engineering. One of Seabolt's most memorable times in high school was taking advanced placement physics with Mr. Gies. “He made it interesting; it was a great class,” Seabolt said. “The last senior day was also something I'll remember,” he added. Seabolt spoke highly of the school's administration and staff. “They are there to help you and they work hard; they are not there to babysit you,” he said.

Seabolt ran cross country, played soccer and was a member of the academic bowl team, science olympiad team, science quiz bowl, math team, student council. He was also senior class president and a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society. His advice to incoming freshman is, ”Get involved in all you can and make the best of it.”

Seabolt's parents are Kay and Larry Seabolt. He also has a sister entering her third year in college.

Hilary Bowler is valedictorian for the graduating class at McIntosh High School. She will attend Furman University in Greenville, S.C., studying business, accounting and marketing. Her favorite subjects were math and history. Bowler claims McIntosh is “the best high school in the state.” “The teachers are dedicated and put in a lot of extra hours,” she said. Her best times in high school involved spending time with friends and playing on the volleyball team. Bowler's extracurricular activities are numerous. She was co-captain of the varsity volleyball team, co-editor of the yearbook, vice-president and active participant in the Key Club, a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish club, named Who's Who Among American High School Students and has received numerous awards and scholarships. She also plays with her church handbell choir. This summer, Bowler will handle computer updating for two Peachtree City dental offices. She is the daughter of Lt. Col. (R) Joe and Holly Bowler.

Salutatorian for McIntosh is Ashley Mehaffie. She plans to become a pharmacist and will begin her studies in the fall at Mercer College in Macon. Science was Mehaffie's favorite subject and she was a member of the Science Olympiad Team since 1993, starting at J.C. Booth Middle School and continuing competition at McIntosh. ”It was a very good experience,” she said. Mehaffie tells incoming high school freshmen to “Challenge yourselves and have fun.” She is the 1999 recipient of the Advanced Placement Calculus and Biology Award and the School Anatomy and Physiology Award. Mehaffie played clarinet in marching band, was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, swim team and debate team. She plays in the church handbell choir and works as a pharmacy technician at Publix. She is the daughter of Michael and Marlene Mehaffie. She has two sister age 15 and 8.

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