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Tops in their class |
Twelve NHS seniors are named valedictorians and will
speak during graduation ceremonies set for Friday evening |
By Schellene
Clendenin, Newberg
Graphic reporter
E-mail Schellene at
sclendenin@eaglenewspapers.com
|
They are considered the “smart kids” at Newberg High School.
But the accomplishments of the dozen students chosen to represent
the school as valedictorians go beyond a cumulative 4.0 grade-point
average (GPA).
To attain the status of valedictorian, each student was required to
maintain that GPA while taking honors courses all four years in
school, said Claudia Stewart, communications specialist for the
Newberg School District.
It’s an honorary designation, said NHS Principal Bill Smethurst.
“They play a role in the graduation program and make a presentation.
It’s an honor, a recognition for their achievement.”
Smethurst said the valedictorians are an impressive group. First,
because there are so many of them and second because of their
involvement in the school.
Many consider valedictorians all brains and nothing else, Smethurst
said, but this group has definitely been deeply involved in the
culture of the school.
“They earned it,” he said. “In order to be a valedictorian not only
do they have to receive A’s for every class, but they also have to
be an honors student and earn an honors diploma,” he said. That
consists of 28 credits instead of the usual 26 granted to students
with a standard diploma.
In order to become an honors graduate they have to complete another
level of course work, which includes three years of foreign
language, some calculus, physical or human biology and advanced
placement courses.
“I think they are fantastic,” Smethurst said. “They are high
performing, high achieving students that have taken the most
rigorous curriculum we can offer and have excelled in it. They are a
dynamic group.”
Their accomplishments range from serving in leadership roles and
performing drama to academics and athletics.
Students named valedictorian include:
Brittany Allen: Key Club, NHS girls basketball team for four years,
member of the National Honor Society and volunteer at Meridian Park
Hospital Auxiliary. She will attend Pacific Lutheran University.
“I feel like Newberg High School made me a well-rounded person and
feel like I can go out in the world and face many challenges,” Allen
said.
Allison Braun: National Honor Society, NHS volleyball team four
years, tennis four years and basketball team two years, volunteer at
church. She will attend Oregon State University.
Sarah Fieger: Key Club officer for two years and member of the
National Honor Society.
“I’m excited to be graduating,” Fieger said. “I think we all have
great things in store for the future.”
Kaela Corbet: National Honor Society and on both the volleyball and
tennis teams at NHS.
Elisabet Nelson: National Honor Society, Key Club and FBLA,
volunteer at Antonia Crater Elementary School and serves on the
Nordstrom Fashion Board. She will attend the University of
Wisconsin.
“I’m ready to go out in the world and experience all
opportunities,” Nelson said. “I am excited to get out of Newberg.”
Nathanael Ankeny: thespian president and officer for three years,
National Honor Society, jazz ensemble and pep band for four years,
band council president, drama student, first-place in the Oregon
National German Exam.
“I’m excited to be graduating from Newberg High School and looking
forward to studying music at Whitworth College next year,”
Ankeny said. “I’m especially grateful to parents and friends for
their love and support.”
David Lee: National Honor Society, played football, basketball and
tennis for four years at NHS, student body president, band council
vice president, band, Key Club member and member of REACH, a high
school drug awareness and prevention group.
“I feel well prepared for college and the rest of my life,” Lee
said. “I’m happy I had the opportunity to go to school in a
community like Newberg.”
Sage Canaday: National Honor Society, varsity cross country track
for four years, Pac-9 cross country district champion, second team
at state and senior cross country record holder. Canaday has been
awarded a $136,000 scholarship to attend Cornell University.
“I think NHS has opened lots of doors for me in the form of
teachers, teammates and sports and it’s helped me focus on my
goals,” said Canaday, who also wanted to thank his parents for their
support.
Patrick Dedrick: National Honor Society and Key Club, he also
taught Japanese at the community school.
Lisa Baker: Venture Crew, National Honor Society, basketball player
for two years, member of the International
Language Society, Girl Scout gold medal award winner and taught
calligraphy at the community school.
“I can’t wait to give my inquisitive and analytical mind a rest,”
Baker said, “well, at least until September when I go to college at
Oregon State University.”
Tasha Rollins: National Honor Society, Key Club and FBLA officer.
She also tutors math and Spanish and is the president of her youth
group.
“I think it’s a great school,” Rollans said. “I’m going to miss
Newberg High School, but I can’t wait to go to Brigham Young
University.”
Teri Groves: National Honor Society, Key Club and a gymnast who
went to nationals last year. She also played both solo and ensemble
in band.
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From
June 9,
2004, Newberg Graphic
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