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