Board of Education Congratulates 2007 WCPSS Valedictorians

May 10, 2007 - Wake County Board of Education members held a luncheon to honor the twenty-one 2007 Wake County Public School System valedictorians. Board members, Superintendent Del Burns and school administrators met with the students at the NC State University Faculty Club.

Each high school with a senior class had at least one student named valedictorian this year. This is the first graduating class and first valedictorian for Knightdale High. Holly Springs and Panther Creek high schools will have first graduating classes and first valedictorians in two years.

2007 Valedictorians

Favorite teachers

Offer advice

Accomplishments

Photographs

Eighteen of the students plan to attend North Carolina universities with eight going to UNC-Chapel Hill, seven bound for Duke and three to NC State University.

Two are headed to out-of-state schools - Brigham Young and Stanford. Twelve indicated interest in medicine, two plan to be rocket scientists, and one is interested in finance. One has narrowed career choices down to either pediatrician, environmental lawyer or foreign policy analyst.

The students praised the school system and had glowing words for teachers. They praised teachers for caring about them and for challenging them.

Bhumi Purohit praised Green Hope High teacher Jonathan Enns, her AP Physics teacher. "Mr. Enns constantly challenged me in the class and taught me as much about life and people, as about physics," said Purohit. "His willingness to listen to his students and advise them, along with his great teaching skills, makes him an amazing teacher."

Waynekid Kam praised Southeast Raleigh High teacher Mr. Davis, his medical science teacher. "Mr. Davis shaped my life like no other. With the ability to integrate knowledge from an array of disciplines and professions, he served as our med club advisor," said Kam. "Mr. Davis also connected students to discover new ideas both locally and globally. Through his encouragement and connections, I was able to work at Duke University Medical Center and intern at NC State University CVM, department of pathobiology."

Anusuya Ramasubramanian thought back to Ms. Debbie Pittman, who taught her at Fuller Elementary. "I will think of Ms. Pittman for always reminding me of "the little engine that could" and giving me the opportunity to learn despite my often uncooperative and tearful state," said Ramasubrmanian. "In addition, I am greatly appreciative of Ms. Bettie Mackie who showed me that "discoveries" could be made in the classroom through my own perseverance and passion." Mackie taught her at Ligon Middle School.

Several pointed with pride to important accomplishments in their lives. Julia Wofford of Athens Drive was named a Park Scholar, earning a four-year full scholarship to NC State University. Anusuya Ramasubramanian of Enloe High earned a 2007 National Merit George Watts Hill Scholarship. Victoria Ma of Broughton High earned a 2007 National Merit $2,500 Scholarship.

Dasha Karelov of Leesville Road High was proud of her 800M and 4X800M relay times. "Speed workouts are one of the hardest things I've ever had to do both mentally and physically - which makes it all the more worthwhile," said Karelov. "Plus, the relay incorporates teamwork with amazing girls."

Catherine Hughes was proud of her work to help the newest students arriving at Fuquay-Varina High. "I am most proud of my work with the Adopt-a-freshman program this year," said Hughes. "I headed up the program and it was a success."

Mark William Pratt of Cary High attended Governor's School last summer. "NC Governor's School was the opportunity of a lifetime that challenged my beliefs and taught me to think for myself," said Pratt. "Governor's School was one of the best things that could've happened to me and I eagerly await the similar learning environment that college will offer."

Claire Elizabeth Emery of Millbrook High participated in mission work through her church youth group. "I am thankful for two opportunities that I have been given this year to travel outside of the US for mission work with my two churches," said Emery. "These youth groups have been an important aspect of my time in high school."

The students had advice for high school students seeking to excel academically. They said: be organized, be dedicated and take challenging courses.

"Take any scholastic opportunity presented to you," said Jonathan Lawrence Wormald of Apex High. "If you cannot find them, then create them yourself. Stay ahead on your school work and never take the easy way out."

"Don't focus on grades and miss the real purpose of an education," said Clark Charles Pixton of Sanderson High. "You learn and retain things better when you taken an active interest."

"My advice is stay organized and focused," said Paige Elizabeth Griffin of Knightdale High. "It is really important to manage your time and not stretch yourself too thin."

The students had a wide variety of interests, listing among their favorite things playing soccer, tennis or softball, martial arts, swimming, cooking, singing, listening to music, reading, traveling, spending time with friends and spending time with family.

The students' favorite books include Blue Like Jazz, Fahrenheit 451, Gone with the Wind, Native Son, The Da Vinci Code, The Fountainhead, The Great Gatsby, The Moon and Sixpence, Things Fall Apart, Timeline and the Harry Potter books.

All of the students were excited about preparing for college. Some were concerned about the pressure of living up to expectations and the challenges of leaving home and growing more independent. As challenges, they cited economic uncertainty due to global conflicts and an energy crisis.

"We may be a part of the first generation that is not guaranteed to have a better life than our parents have had," noted Claire Emery.

"Balancing the beliefs and values that we have acquired over the past 18 years with popular culture and a modern lifestyle is a major challenge," said Victoria Ma.

"As globalization progresses, we need to learn to think on an international scale - politically, economically and culturally," said Bhumi Purohit.

Superintendent Burns led a discussion with the students about their plans. He congratulated them for their hard work to earn valedictorian and thanked them for the way they would represent their schools and community in their days at university and in their future careers.

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Valedictorians

School
Valedictorian
University
Apex High
Jonathan Lawrence Wormald
NC State University
Athens Drive High
Julia Wofford
NC State University
Broughton High
Victoria Ma
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cary High
Mark W. Pratt
Duke University
East Wake High
Lindsey Tyndall
UNC-Chapel Hill
East Wake High
Keith Richardson
UNC-Chapel Hill
East Wake School of Health Science
Jody Ann Oakley
Enloe High
Anusuya Ramasubramanian
Stanford University
Fuquay-Varina High
Catherine Hughes
UNC-Chapel Hill
Garner High
Rhiannon Leola Blalock
UNC-Chapel Hill
Garner High
Mary Nicole Holmes
UNC-Chapel Hill
Green Hope High
Bhumi Purohit
Duke University
Knightdale High
Paige Elizabeth Griffin
UNC-Chapel Hill
Leesville Road High
Dasha Karelov
NC State University
Middle Creek High
Yuan Katie Zhu
UNC-Chapel Hill
Millbrook High
Claire Emery
Duke University
Sanderson High
Clark Charles Pixton
Brigham Young University
Southeast Raleigh High
Wayneho Kam
Duke University
Southeast Raleigh High
Waynekid Kam
Duke University
Wake Forest Rolesville High
Sarah Safley
Duke University
Wakefield High
Akul Patel
Duke University

Favorite teachers

Yuan Zhu

My favorite teacher is Mr. Dan West. I've taken four semesters of class with him, and I feel like he has taught me so much. He is a no-nonsense but down to earth teacher who truly cares about the success of all his students. i feel like he has helped me tremendously in preparing for college and life in general.

Waynekid Kam

Mr. Davis, my medical science teacher, shaped my life like no other. With the ability to integrate knowledge from an array of disciplines and professions, he served as our med club advisor. Mr. Davis also connected students to discover new ideas both locally and globally. Through his encouragement and connections, I was able to work at Duke University Medical Center and intern at NC State University CVM, department of pathobiology.

Anusuya Ramasubramanian

Over the last 13 years, I have been very fortunate to meet wonderful teachers who have served not only as mentors, but also as friends. I would like, in particular, to thank Ms. Debbie Pittman, who taught for several years at Fuller Elementary, for always reminding me of "the little engine that could" and giving me the opportunity to learn despite my often uncooperative and tearful state. In addition, I am greatly appreciative of Ms. Bettie Mackie who showed me that "discoveries" could be made in the classroom through my own perseverance and passion.

Claire Elizabeth Emery

My two favorite teachers are Mrs. Alyson Young and Mr. Gene Kikolski. It is very evident that they they both have a passion for teaching. Mr. Kikolski makes politics more interesting and Mrs. Young truly cares about every one of her students.

Victoria Ma

My favorite teacher is Mr. Richard Dubois because he knows how to keep students engaged while teaching them the French language. Scrumptious food, great French movies and an awesome language - what more could a student ask for? Besides, Mr. Dubois cares about and challenges his students.

Bhumi Purohit

Mr. Enns, my AP Physics teacher, who constantly challenged me in the class and taught me as much about life and people, as about physics. His willingness to listen to his students and advise them, along with his great teaching skills, makes him an amazing teacher.

Advice

Jonathan Lawrence Wormald

Take any scholastic opportunity presented to you. If you cannot find them, then create them yourself. Stay ahead on your school work and never take the easy way out.

Clark Charles Pixton

Don't focus on the grades and miss the real purpose of an education. You learn and retain things better when you taken an active interest.

Paige Elizabeth Griffin

My advice is stay organized and focused. It is really important to manage your time and not stretch yourself too thin.

Mark William Pratt

I advise fellow students to get involved in school extracurriculars or other personal passions. Whenever I'm involved, I tend to manage my time more efficiently. Don't go to classes for the grade, class rank, GPA. Go to school for the pure enjoyment of learning.

Akul Patel

Remember you can always go out and have fun. It's more about how you manage your time when you're not out with friends.

Lindsey Katherine Tyndall

Learn to balance academics, extracurriculars and fun. Grades are important, but is living a balanced life. Just do your best in class, study hard, don't stress and enjoy high school.

Dasha Karelov

Convince yourself that school is important. Study. Don't procrastinate.

Catherine Nancy Hughes

Procrastination is never a good idea. don't be afraid to ask for help and always believe in yourself.

Accomplishments

Wayneho Kam

I am most proud of my extensive involvement in community service and extracurricular activities. At school, I have coordinated campus-wide blood drives to help save the lives of 861 area patients. I also served as vice president of National Honor Society, vice president of Medical Club and co-captain of Science Olympiad.

Anusuya Ramasubramanian

I am most proud of my team's invitation to Siemens Regional Competition. Working with two other students, I learned the difficulties and eventual pay-offs of doing research and working as a team. The difficulties we had during the research process were unlike any other challenge I had faced given that there were no "back-of-the-book answers." Our eventual success in this endeavor has thus been a defining accomplishment in my life.

Claire Elizabeth Emery

I was a co-founder of the Millbrook Family Adoption project. This year was our second annual project and we were able to provide for the families of less fortunate Millbrook students. I am proud to know that our school will continue the program for many years.

Lindsey Katherine Tyndall

Receiving an internship at the Duke Cancer Research Center last summer because it gave experience in the medical field and helped me learn what type of career I might enjoy.

Dasha Karelov

All my 800M and 4X800M relay times at big meets for track and field. Speed workouts are one of the hardest things I've ever had to do both mentally and physically - which makes it all the more worthwhile. Plus, the relay incorporates teamwork with amazing girls.

Catherine Nancy Hughes

I am most proud of my work with the Adopt-a-freshman program this year. I headed up the program and it was a success.

2006 Valedictorians


Jonathan Wormald
Apex HS

Julia Wofford
Athens Drive HS

Victoria Ma
Broughton HS

Mark Pratt
Cary HS

Lindsey Tyndall
East Wake HS

Keith Richardson
East Wake HS

Jody Ann Oakley
East Wake
School of Health Science

Anusuya Ramasubramanian
Enloe HS

Catherine Hughes
Fuquay-Varina HS

Rhiannon Blalock
Garner HS

Mary Nicole Holmes
Garner HS

Bhumi Purohit
Green Hope HS

Paige Elizabeth Griffin
Knightdale HS

Dasha Karelov
Leesville Road HS

Yuan Katie Zhu
Middle Creek HS


Claire Emery
Millbrook HS


Clark Charles Pixton
Sanderson HS


Wayneho Kam
Southeast Raleigh HS

Waynekid Kam
Southeast Raleigh HS

Sarah Safley
Wake Forest-Rolesville HS

Akul Patel
Wakefield HS

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