CONGRATULATIONS YOU DID IT!
Each year the local high schools honor their top students. The Valedictorian is the person that has achieved the highest grade point average during their high school career. At commencement ceremonies they present the Valedictory.
The Salutatorian is the student that has held the second highest GPA over their high school career. At commencement exercises, the Salutatorian presents the salutatory, which welcomes all guests.
We at The Waynedale News would like to not only congratulate those with the highest grades but also congratulate all the graduates and wish them the best as they venture into society, or into a higher level of education.
WAYNE HIGH SCHOOL
Valedictorian from Wayne High School is Kristofer Haynes, son of Mark & Janet Haynes. He will attend Indiana University, majoring in Music Recording.
Kristofer’s activities included Marching Band, National Honor Society, Varsity Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Track & Field, Volleyball, Church Youth Group, Church Instrumentalist, and volunteering with Church Outreach.
“The best, most memorable moment I have had at Wayne was in 2002 when the marching band went to state finals. We were underdogs all year and in the end we pulled fifth place at the state finals.” Kristofer is optimistic about his future. “In the fall of 2003 I will be attending Indiana University in Bloomington. I will be studying audio recording. In five years I plan to be working to get equipment for my own recording studio. In ten years, I plan to be a producer in my own studio.”
Salutatorian from Wayne High School is Andrew McCormick, son of Tim and Cheryl McCormick.
Andrew worked with the Allen County Sheriff’s Department Crime Prevention Division, Operation Identification Program, fingerprinting children and making DNA kits. “I always try to do my best and work hard at what I do. I put forth a lot of effort and try to push through and not give up. I will probably attend IPFW next year and possibly study Biology or Engineering. In five years, I hope to be starting a career. In ten years I hope to be married and starting my own family.”
SOUTH SIDE HIGH SCHOOL
South Side High School Class of 2003 Valedictorian Jessica Obgerfell. Jessica is one of four International Baccalaureate Diploma candidates. She maintained a 4.498 G.P.A. and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is a four-year member of the Academic Team and is acting captain.
Jessica has received awards in Honors History “Top Gun” Award as well as accruing honors in Biology, Chemistry, Math, English, and History. She is a four-year member of the South Side Swim Team, serving as captain during her senior year. Other school activities include holding office in the Spanish Club, Key Club, and a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Jessica is a Peer Tutor as well as tutoring at the Boys and Girls Club. She is also involved in Neighborhood Outreach through the Key Club. Her career goal is to become a surgeon. She begins her basic training for Army Reserves in less than a month. Following basic training she will train as an operating room technician. She will attend Hanover College, majoring in Biology. She plans to attend medical school after that.
South Side High School Class of 2003 Salutatorian Betty Co.
Betty Co is working towards International Baccalaureate Certificates in English, French, and Chemistry. She will also earn the Indiana Academic Honors diploma, maintaining a 4.451 G.P.A. She is a member of the National Honor Society and a four-year member of the Academic Team, acting as Science Captain. Betty received first place awards for the Allen County Public Library Poetry Contest. She has also been recognized by Scholastic Art, with two gold keys one silver key, and one certificate of merit. She is a tutor for Study Connection and project READS. She is also a teacher at Chinese School and volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club and the Three Rivers Festival. Computer Graphic Engineering is Betty’s college goal. She will be attending Purdue University in the fall.
BISHOP LUERS HIGH SCHOOL
Bishop Luers High School Valedictorian Sarah Wladecki, daughter of Geof and Elizabeth Wladecki earned a G.PA. of 12.225. She plans on attending the University of Notre Dame with an intended major of International Studies. Sarah is a Key Club Member, a member of the National Honor Society, a Peer Tutor, and a freshman mentor. She lettered in Soccer and Cheerleading, was editor of the Accolade (year book) and a Wells Scholar nominee, as well as a youth consultant for the Community Partnership with Youth. She also participated in the Presidential Classroom in Washington DC.
Bishop Luers Salutatorian Martha Kowalczyk is the daughter of John and Barb Kowalczyk and plans on attending New York University, majoring in Anthropology. She graduated with a G.P.A. of 12.191.
Her activities include: member of the National Honor Society, Key Club
ELMHURST HIGH SCHOOL
Elmhurst High School Valedictorian Ashley Slain
Ashley is the daughter of Jackie and Mark Slain of 3499 Sandpoint Road. She held a G.P.A. of 4.25 on a 4.0 scale and will receive an Academic Honors diploma. She has taken Honors and Advanced Placement classes in English, Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies. She received the Sterling Sentinel Award in Mathematics and is a National Honor Society member. Ashley is active in band, orchestra, and color guard and has participated in gymnastics and dance. She is currently a volunteer at Lutheran Hospital and has served as a counselor at a Muscular Dystrophy Association summer camp.
Ashley has received the Presidential Scholarship at the University of Saint Francis, a Wimmer Academic Scholarship, an Elmhurst PTA Scholarship, and a Lilly Endowment Scholarship. She plans to attend the University of Saint Francis majoring in Secondary Special Education.
Elmhurst High School Salutatorian Jonathan Scherer, is the son of Catherine and Michael Paff, of 3361 Elmhurst Drive.
He attained a G.P.A. of 3.96 on a scale of 4.0. He will receive an Academic Honors diploma. Jonathan has taken Honors and Advanced Placement classes in English, Science, and Mathematics, and is a National Honor Society member.
He has been a four-year member of the golf team and was this years team captain, as well as volunteer at Anthony Wayne Services. Jonathan has received a Wimmer Academic Scholarship, an E.H. Kilbourne Academic Scholarship, and the Butler University Academic Scholarship. He plans on attending Butler University, majoring in Pharmacy.
Member, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Award, Student Council Treasurer, varsity letter in tennis, and Peer Tutor. She was Editor of Knight Times, on the Honor Roll all four years, and participated in the Presidential Classroom in Washington DC.
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