2004 Valedictorians

Favorite teachers

Offer advice

Accomplishments

Photographs

Alexandra Balaban

My favorite teacher is Mrs. Glenna Heckert, a German teacher at Apex High. She is the best teacher I have had during my ten years of German language education. She is the reason why my language skills improved so fast over four years.

Mollie Tucker

I have several favorite teachers: Sarah Overby because she broadened my perspective, challenged me and cared about me on a personal level; Kathy Hill because she helped me develop a love for math; Luana McCamy because she made me feel confident about speaking Spanish; Sherri Frederick because she was someone I could talk to about life outside of school; and Natalie Bates for inspiring me to be creative. All of these teachers have been role models for me and they have always believed in me.

India Blaire Evans

Resonating with energy and spirit, Mrs. Duncan, my junior English teacher, transforms classrooms into motivated quests for knowledge and self discovery. Her charismatic personality and love for English are traits I admire and try to epitomize. I also admire Coach Gus who taught me to question beliefs and Mr. Schaefer who proved learning is exciting and even entertaining. Most importantly, I thank Mrs.Fracker, my fourth grade teacher who inspired me to reach for the stars.

Amy Christa Allen

Ms. Laurie Caterer. She has such knowledge and passion over the Spanish language. But she also has an invested interest in her students, what they are involved in, how their life is going, on what their plans are for the future. She truly deserves her position as Teacher of the Year at East Wake High.

Laura Clements

John Davis, Honors Chemistry and AP Chemistry. He is both a wonderful and very smart teacher, but his excellence extends beyond that. He genuinely cares about each student, doing his best to make sure that each gains new knowledge and understanding and that they are successful in life.

Lauren Eckhardt

Mrs. Graziari was my favorite teacher. Not only did she teach my two favorite subjects, biology and anatomy, but she was like my mentor. I could talk to her about anything.

Barbara Nee

Although its difficult to pick a favorite, I'd have to say Mrs. Barbara Clark,a sixth grade social studies teacher at West Millbrook Middle, because she took a subject that I had previously hated (social studies) and turned it into my favorite class that year. Her class was challenging and fun at the same time. She assigned creative projects that everyone enjoyed doing and I have loved Greek and Roman mythology ever since.

Roby Chatterji

Mr. Donald Goodwin is my favorite teacher because of his humor, his wit, his ability to make history come alive through analogies and the fact that he treats us like adults.

Amy Lenfestey

I think I was really lucky in that I cannot pick just one teacher. Most of my teachers - from Morrisville to West Lake to Southeast - have challenged me and given me the tools that have helped me get where I am today and prepared me for what is to come. They all truly enjoyed teaching and their enthusiasm sparked my interest in a variety of subjects. Their continual, unrelenting support also allowed me to succeed in the classroom and ultimately, in life.

Mollie Tucker

Do it for yourself. Its great for others to encourage you and be proud of you, but ultimately, you have to be your own motivator.

India Blaire Evans

Motivate yourself! If you seek scholastic success, you will remain dedicated and devoted to work only if the success is your desire and not the demands of parents, teachers and others. Improve both your strengths and weaknesses, persistently, while not allowing a few bad grades to destroy your hope. Lastly, read, read, read.

Jo-Zahn Oliver

Create a balance between scholastics and your social life. All work and no play fries your brain.

Laura Clements

Its not enough to say that you have tried. To truly achieve, one must use their ambition and determination as the driving forces to carry them to successful accomplishment of aspired dreams and goals.

Lauren Eckhardt

Do not be afraid to challenge yourself and take difficult courses. Once you are in the class, you'll find that with hard work, you can rise to the challenge.

Barbara Nee

Avoid procrastinating; it creates needless stress and more often than not, results in poor quality work. Also, you need to be a little bit competitive because it drives you to do better in everything.

Amy Lenfestey

Never, ever give up! I would tell them to set their goals ahead of time and then work to achieve them step by step. Everyone is capable of excellence. It is recognizing this early that makes the difference.

Laura Mannette

Paying attention in class is a very important key to staying on top because if you fall behind, it is too hard to catch up.

Alexandra Balaban

I am most proud of winning an American Association of Teachers of German and Pedagogical Association Deutschland sponsored study trip to Germany. I was one out of 39 people in the U.S. to win this in the summer of 2003.

Amy Christa Allen

Besides keeping up my grades, I am so glad that I have been able to be an active member in three honorary organizations. I have been in the Spanish Honor Society for all four years of high school and I am currently an officer in the other two organizations. Through these organizations, I have been able to serve my school and community. I have been able to use my knowledge to tutor others and spend time at local nursing homes. I am proud that I have lived a balanced life, a purposeful life of service.

Evan Wu

Competing the Tour de Cure for Diabetes (160 mile bike ridge across eastern North Carolina) because I was able to raise $320 by myself and complete the tour with a heavy mountain bike.

Lauren Eckhardt

I am most proud of coordinating Prom 2003. As the vice president of the junior class, I was the chair of prom committee. I learned how to delegate jobs and plan a large event. After all the time I put in, I was very proud when the day finally came.

Roby Chatterji

Becoming a Morehead Scholar because it represents exactly what I strive for in life - excellence in a variety of categories and balance.

Amy Lenfestey

I am proud to be the student body president at Southeast Raleigh High School where I've been able to lead, learn and serve my school and greater community.

Laura Mannette

I am most proud of having directed/choreographed the musical 'School House Rock Live' during my junior year. I put my heart and soul into that show and I realized that directing was what I wanted to do with my life.

Alexandra Balaban

Mollie Tucker

Katherine Southern

India Blaire Evans

Amy Christa Allen

Evan Wu

Jo-Zahn Oliver

Laura Clements

Lauren Eckhardt

Siva Darbha

Barbara Nee

Roby Chatterji

Amy Lenfestey

Laura Mannette

Rachit Shukla