Valedictorians and salutatorians-Congratualtions

Valedictorians and salutatorians By SUZANNE NORMAND BLACKWOOD • Staff Writer • May 14, 2008 Each year, high school graduation is a stressful time, both for students and for school officials. But it's also a sentimental time and a rewarding time. Below, a high school guidance counselor and two graduating seniors talk about the experience of graduation. ANTIOCH HIGH SCHOOL "It's all pretty amazing," said Antioch High School valedictorian Mary Anne Hagan, about graduation. The best part, though, is "seeing all my friends accomplish their goals," she said. Shandie Potts, the school's salutatorian, said she would miss the individualized attention she received in high school. She said she was fortunate to have "small classes" and "teachers that were nice and helped you get through things." Antioch High School will have its graduation at 7 p.m. Friday, May 16, at 7 p.m. at Belmont University's Curb Center. Valedictorian: Mary Anne Hagan GPA: 4.0 College: Vanderbilt University Area of study: Secondary education and English Salutatorian: Shandie Potts GPA: 3.9 College: Plans to attend Motlow State Community College and transfer from there Area of study: Business and art NASHVILLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS "It's a very hectic time, but usually very rewarding when it's over," said Steve Brown, guidance counselor at Nashville School of the Arts. At the last minute, Brown ended up filling in for senior guidance counselor Amy Flajnik, who is on maternity leave. "Everybody's worried about final grades," Brown said. "Some are applying for scholarships . . . nervous about getting accepted into college. "It comes down to the wire." Nashville School of the Arts will have its graduation at 7 p.m. today, May 14, at the Grand Ole Opry House. Rebekah Horton GPA: 100.07 College: Middle Tennessee State University Major: Music Salutatorian: Caitlin Kelly GPA: 98.67 College: Hampshire College in Massachusetts Major: Undeclared

Hard work pays off for valedictorian Kelly Marie Smith

LAVONDIA MAJORS / THE TENNESSEAN
McGavock High valedictorian Kelly Marie Smith is graduating from a class of about 630. She plays the piccolo and flute and will study graphic design at Western Kentucky University, beginning in the fall semester.

By ANDY HUMBLES • Staff Writer (Tennessean)• May 14, 2008

McGavock valedictorian Kelly Marie Smith is described by one of her teachers as a renaissance woman.
"She draws well, writes well, understands literature, she's in band, funny, just an all-around well-rounded kid,'' said Stacey Hinchman, an English literature and composition teacher at McGavock.

All that and a 3.976 grade-point average, too.

All valedictorian-type attributes, but there is a striking normalcy to Kelly.

"Loves video games,'' said her mom, Nancy Smith, telling how Kelly is motivated to get done with homework and other activities to have some time with the PlayStation II in the evening. "People think she just comes home and studies. She does have to study, but she always did most of her homework and came home to play video games.''

Kelly's valedictorian speech on May 18 as McGavock graduates about 630 students "won't be anything too deep,'' she said. After all, being valedictorian "just happened,'' she said. "Just doing my thing.''

But Kelly's thing includes quite a bit of drive.
Her mom said Kelly's time management skills are advanced for a high school student.
Kelly says she has old-fashioned effort, and that comes out when she gives her view on public schools and her education at McGavock.

"I think public education is awesome,'' she said. "Some countries don't even have education. Whatever you do you might as well try your hardest. It seems sometimes people don't try their best because it's hard.''

Kelly could have gone to Metro academic magnet Hume-Fogg, and that was the vote of parents Nancy and Marcus Smith. But she wanted to participate in the McGavock marching band, which has a high reputation in the state and beyond. Kelly plays the piccolo and flute.
But McGavock hadn't always had the reputation as a safe campus, something principal Michael Tribue has worked to turn around since arriving there in 2001.

"I'm satisfied with my learning experience at McGavock,'' Kelly said. "Some don't get that, but some don't want it. I've been exposed to a lot of useful experiences here, it's very diverse — there are tons of different people at McGavock. It's improved with Mr. Tribue here and the fighting has stopped.''

Art is Kelly's passion, and she'll study graphic design at Western Kentucky University beginning in the fall semester. Kelly will get academic scholarship money that will help considerably with college, a reason she worked to get good grades in order to help her family with the cost.

Valedictorians and salutatorians

GLENCLIFF HIGH SCHOOL In 2006, it was Joseph Mikhail. Last year, it was Demiana Abdallah. This year, it's Ann Hanna. For three years in a row, Glencliff High School's salutatorians have been students from Egypt. Demiana's family came here because of religious persecution. Ann said her family, which came to the U.S. in 2004, simply came for better opportunities. Ann's family is Coptic, as is Demiana's. In fact, the girls are friends and they both attend St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church on McMurray Drive. Ann's sister, Mira Hanna, is a junior at Glencliff. Ann said she's hoping Mira will break from tradition next year and be the school's valedictorian instead of salutatorian. Glencliff High School will have its graduation at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Valedictorian: Andrew Lo GPA: 3.97 College: Middle Tennessee State University Salutatorian: Ann Hanna GPA: 3.93 College: University of the South, Sewanee LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL As tension grew stronger toward the end of the school year, the Class of 2008 at Lighthouse Christian School was still left wondering about who would be its valedictorian and salutatorian. The announcement came just a week before graduation. And the winners are … Sarah Rodriguez-Sawao and Shannon Dennis, respectively. Sarah plans to study forensic science in college, and Shannon is trying to decide between nursing and theater as a major. Lighthouse Christian School will have its graduation at 7 p.m. Friday, May 16, in the school's auditorium. Valedictorian: Sarah Rodriguez-Sawao GPA: 4.0 College: University of Mississippi Salutatorian: Shannon Dennis GPA: 3.94 College: Lipscomb University EZELL-HARDING CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Each year at graduation, a school's list of honors goes far beyond its valedictorian and salutatorian. A student may be a National Merit Scholar or a Ned McWherter scholar, for example. That was certainly the case this year at Ezell-Harding Christian School. Not only is the school's salutatorian, Kara Beaty, a National Merit Scholar, but so is senior Todd Osborne. Todd is also a Ned McWherter scholar. The Ned McWherter scholarship is offered to high school seniors who have high school GPAs of at least 3.5 and have scored in the top 5 percent on the SAT or the ACT. National Merit Scholars are chosen based on their scores on the PSAT/MNSQT as well as on academic record, leadership, school recommendation and an essay. Ezell-Harding Christian School will have its graduation at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 24, at the school. Valedictorian: Kara Beaty GPA: 4.0 College: Harding University Salutatorian: Danielle Schlappi GPA: 4.0 College: University of Tennessee-Knoxville