Seniors earn top academic, perfect attendance distinctions
ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ has 28 students in the Class of 2022 who have achieved the top academic distinction of valedictorian or salutatorian. Additionally, one senior in the Class of 2022 has earned the distinction of 12 years of perfect attendance.
â–ª Valedictorian and Salutatorian Information
The senior with the highest weighted grade point average (GPA) is selected valedictorian, and the senior with the second-highest weighted GPA is chosen salutatorian.
“We are proud to recognize and honor 28 outstanding seniors in the Class of 2022 as our valedictorians and salutatorians for ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ,” stated Superintendent of Schools W. Jeffrey Booker. “The students have maintained an impressive academic record during their high school career. They also have been excellent leaders at school and in the community. We are confident that our high-achieving valedictorians and salutatorians will continue to be successful in everything they choose to do.”
Listed below are the valedictorians and salutatorians for ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ and biography information for each student.
Ashbrook High School
Valedictorian: Cooper York
- College Plans: Hampden-Sydney College to major in business economics and engineering physics.
- Accolades: National Honor Society; earned an associate in science degree from ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College; member of the baseball, golf, and wrestling teams; student council - senior class senator; student ambassador.
Salutatorian: Hope Inman
- College Plans: Appalachian State University to major in communication and minor in sociology; plans to pursue a career in international communication.
- Accolades: National Honor Society; National Technical Honor Society; involved in various school volunteer/fundraising projects; will earn an associate in arts degree from ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College this summer.
Bessemer City High School
Valedictorian: Hannah Marie Varadi
- College Plans: UNC-Chapel Hill to major in mathematics.
- Accolades: Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award; president of the National Honor Society; completed the Associate of Science pathway in the College Now program; ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College Honors List; Hortense L. McClinton University Scholarship.
Salutatorian: Joshua Luke Hogan
- College Plans: Wingate University to major in biology; plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career as a pharmacist.
- Accolades: National Honor Society; National Technical Honor Society; Beta Club; ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ/ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ Gazette Star Student; earned CNA (certified nursing assistant); Wingate University Scholarship valued at $32,000.
Cherryville High School
Valedictorian: Jackson Lee Owens
- College Plans: Lenoir-Rhyne University to major in pre-medicine and participate in track and field; plans to pursue a career as a pediatrician.
- Accolades: ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ/ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ Gazette Star Student; Dwight H. Harrelson Memorial Scholarship; National Honor Society; track and field state championship; ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ County track and field MVP; chief junior marshal.
Salutatorian: Rylee Grace Makayla Burgis
- College Plans: UNC-Chapel Hill to major in biology; plans to pursue a career in dentistry.
- Accolades: Albert G. Myers Scholarship; National Honor Society; National Technical Honor Society; state champion cheerleader; state qualifier in track and field.
Stuart W. Cramer High School
Valedictorian: Colin Mitchell Brockman
- College Plans: UNC-Chapel Hill to major in computer science.
- Accolades: Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship; President’s List, Dean’s List, and Honors List at ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College.
Salutatorian: Gwen Alexandra Campau
- College Plans: UNC-Charlotte to major in computer science.
- Accolades: Received various scholarships from the UNC-Charlotte Honors Program; earned an associate in science degree from ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College.
East ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ High School
Valedictorian: Allie Elizabeth Grice
- College Plans: UNC-Charlotte to major in civil engineering.
- Accolades: UNC-Charlotte Levine Scholarship; ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ/ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ Gazette Star Student; Female Scholastic Athlete of the Year Award; Co-Female Athlete of the Year Award; standout athlete in volleyball, basketball, and tennis.
Salutatorian: Bryson Elliott Jones
- College Plans: N.C. State University to major in civil and environmental engineering.
- Accolades: Ferguson Company Scholarship; Real Life Baptist Church Scholarship; Mount Holly Masonic Lodge Scholarship; standout athlete in swimming, soccer, track and field, and tennis; captain of the swimming, soccer, and tennis teams; East ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ executive council - student body president; Eagle Scout Troop #59.
Forestview High School
Valedictorian: William Eugene Barnes
- College Plans: University of South Carolina (Honors College) to major in biochemistry and molecular biology; plans to pursue a career as a surgeon in orthopedic oncology.
- Accolades: Academic Scholar Superlative Award; Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Distinction; Academic Achievement in AP Research and AP Environmental Science; AP Capstone/Collegiate Prep Academy; tennis team captain.
Salutatorian: Samantha Elizabeth Bolton
- College Plans: Georgia Institute of Technology to major in mechanical engineering; plans to pursue a career as a consulting engineer for sustainable energy systems.
- Accolades: Outstanding Scholar Award; Athlete of the Year Award; Georgia Tech Provost Scholarship; student body president; captain of the volleyball and basketball teams.
ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ County Virtual Academy
Valedictorian: Roy Joe Wang
- College Plans: N.C. State University to major in computer engineering.
- Accolades: Recognition for commendable leadership; first valedictorian for the ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ County Virtual Academy.
Salutatorian: Kortney Brennin Hawkins
- College Plans: ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College to pursue a degree in pediatric nursing.
- Accolades: ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ/ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ Gazette Star Student; first salutatorian for the ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ County Virtual Academy; recognized for dedication to the ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ County Virtual Academy’s high school initiatives.
ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ Early College High School
Co-Valedictorian: Sydney Best
- College Plans: Vanderbilt University to major in chemistry; plans to pursue a career in the medical field.
- Accolades: ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College President’s Award for Excellence; Vanderbilt University Opportunity Scholarship; earned an associate in science degree from ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College and graduated with high honors.
Co-Valedictorian: Lexie Pelusio
- College Plans: N.C. State University to major in animal science; plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
- Accolades: N.C. State University Pack Promise Scholarship valued at $25,000 per year; ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College President’s Award for Excellence; earned an associate in science degree from ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College and graduated with high honors.
Co-Valedictorian: Emily Rollins
- College Plans: UNC-Chapel Hill to major in political science with a minor in social and economic justice; plans to pursue a career as a civil rights attorney.
- Accolades: Vice president of ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College Student Government Association; Albert G. Myers Scholarship; Finer Womanhood Scholarship; earned an associate in science degree from ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College and graduated with high honors.
Co-Salutatorian: Odell Escorcia Puente
- College Plans: UNC-Chapel Hill to major in biology and environmental sciences with a focus on ecology and evolution; plans to pursue a career in the ecology field with an emphasis on research related the human impact on local river ecosystems.
- Accolades: UNC-Chapel Hill Covenant Scholarship; earned an associate in science degree from ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College and graduated with high honors; internship with the Catawba Riverkeeper organization.
Co-Salutatorian: Tatiana Gano
- College Plans: UNC-Chapel Hill to major in studio art; plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career as an art professor.
- Accolades: UNC-Chapel Hill Covenant Scholarship; earned an associate in arts degree from ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College and graduated with high honors; awarded more than $400,000 in college scholarships; had artwork on display at ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College.
Co-Salutatorian: Andy Martinez
- Future Plans: Work in the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) field with GSM Services; would like to eventually own an HVAC business.
- Accolades: Earned an associate in science degree from ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College and graduated with high honors.
Highland School of Technology
Valedictorian: John Asher Theodore Neumann
- College Plans: N.C. State University to major in mechanical engineering; plans to pursue a career in the automotive engineering field.
- Accolades: State champion in 200 meters swimming; Eagle Scout; three-time swimming team captain; Beta Club officer; ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College President’s List.
Salutatorian: Nicholas Nguyen
- College Plans: UNC-Chapel Hill to major in environmental health sciences; plans to pursue a career in biomedical engineering or the medical field.
- Accolades: Member of student council; international cultures club, earth club, and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA); co-chief junior marshal; National Technical Honor Society; Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar Award; first place medallion in the North Carolina FBLA competition - computer applications category.
Hunter Huss High School
Valedictorian: Amy Hernandez-Gutierrez
- College Plans: Appalachian State University to major in sustainable development and minor in economics.
- Accolades: S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award; student body president; homecoming court maid of honor; Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council; N.C. Governor’s School.
Salutatorian: Allison Kimmel
- College Plans: UNC-Chapel Hill to major in biology.
- Accolades: ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ/ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ Gazette Star Student; Duke Energy Scholars Scholarship; United Women of America Scholarship; Big South 3A Conference Swimmer of the Year for all four years of high school; U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award.
North ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ High School
Valedictorian: Maria Cheyanne Morales
- College Plans: UNC-Chapel Hill to major in biomedical engineering (in a partnership program with N.C. State University); plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a geneticist.
- Accolades: National Honor Society; Beta Club; member of the tennis team, teen action council, Envirothon club, and Science Olympiad; earned an associate degree and certificate in biotechnology from ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ College and graduated with high honors; received a full-tuition scholarship to attend UNC-Chapel Hill.
Salutatorian: Hannah Brooke Isenhour
- College Plans: UNC-Chapel Hill to major in biology; plans to pursue a career as a physician assistant.
- Accolades: Student body vice president; dance team captain; earned CNA (certified nursing assistant); will complete requirements for an associate degree this summer; Dr. Will Medical Scholarship.
South Point High School
Valedictorian: Caroline Greer Beaty
- College Plans: Clemson University to major in architecture; plans to pursue a career as an architect focusing on interior architecture.
- Accolades: ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ/ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ Gazette Star Student; Tennis MVP Award; Tom Browne Scholarship; Lester Carpenter Scholarship; American Airlines Educational Foundation Scholarship; Clemson Out-of-State Tuition Scholarship.
Salutatorian: Tala Ayman Musa Eid
- College Plans: UNC-Charlotte with plans to transfer to the biomedical engineering program at UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State University; plans to pursue a career in the research and development of prosthetic devices, various artificial tissues and organs, and new drug therapies.
- Accolades: Junior Marshal; Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award; National Honor Society; Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Distinction; UNC-Charlotte Chancellor’s Scholarship; Islamic Society of ÐÜèAVÊÓƵia Arabic Teacher.
â–ª Perfect Attendance Information
Each year, the Board of Education honors graduating seniors who achieve perfect attendance for either 12 years or 13 years. One senior in the ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ Class of 2022 earned 12 years of perfect attendance.
Colby Andrew Green of Stuart W. Cramer High School achieved 12 years of perfect attendance. The son of Scott and Angie Green, he plans to attend a four-year university. During his school’s graduation ceremony, Green received a perfect attendance plaque from the ÐÜèAVÊÓƵ County Board of Education in recognition of his outstanding accomplishment.