Enjoying the view from the top of the class

In high school, they finished first. They picked the hardest paths possible because they believed hard work alone could fulfill their parents' promise — you can be whatever you want when you grow up.
They devoured AP classes and joint-enrolled in college. They studied all night if they had to, over the summers, too. They solved math problems in academic clubs for fun, led student councils, edited yearbooks, served the community through honor societies and agricultural organizations. They cheered and scored in sports for their school, worked to save money for college and nailed their SATs.
All the while one letter continued to dominate their transcripts: A.
Today, the Athens Banner-Herald presents the area valedictorians and salutatorians of the Class of 2009. We think you'll find these individuals are worthy of celebration during this season of high school commencements. Their speeches, along with the last steps they take with their classmates, truly serve as the beginning of another great achievement.
► Clara Starkweather
Valedictorian, Cedar Shoals High School
Extracurricular activities: Piano Performance, Interact Club, Tennis, Young Partners for a Prosperous Athens, Drawing, academic-based service organizations, crossword puzzles
College: Duke University
Scholarship: She is one of 15 (out of a pool of 27,000) to receive the A.B. Duke Scholarship, Duke’s most highly regarded merit based scholarship. The scholarship covers all tuition, room and board, a summer study-abroad at Oxford University, research stipends for summer studies, and group stipends for projects abroad.  
Study/career interest: Major in Neuroscience and minor in Physics and/or English while on the pre-medicine track. She wants to be a neurosurgeon.
Favorite quote for inspiration: “Procrastination isn’t the problem, it’s the solution. So procrastinate now, don’t put it off.” — Ellen DeGeneres
Parents: Julie Starkweather ► Ridwan Mahbub
Salutatorian, Cedar Shoals High School
Extracurricular Activities: Young Scholars Program (YSP) at UGA, Young  Dawgs  Program at UGA, Islamic Club of Cedar Shoals High School, volunteering at my religious institution
College: University of Georgia
Scholarships: Harris Scholarship (The University of Georgia merit scholarship) HOPE Scholarship
Study/career interest: Biological sciences
Favorite quote for inspiration: “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create.” — Albert Einstein
“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” — Albert Einstein
Parents: Dr. Islam Mahbub and Ms. Ruby Mahbub ► Augustus Scott ‘Gus’ Boyd
Valedictorian, Clarke Central High School
Extracurricular activities: Swimming, soccer, Academic Team, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Technology Student Association, bassist in the Connelly Crowe Band.
College: Georgia Institute of Technology
Scholarships: HOPE and local scholarships including the Gregg Lewis Memorial Scholarship
Study/career interest: Aerospace Engineering
Favorite quote for inspiration: “We do what we have to do now so that we can do what we want to do later.” — April Higgins, teacher
Parents: Jane and Richard Boyd ► Sara De La Torre-Beron
Salutatorian, Clarke Central High School
Extracurricular activities: Academic Team, National Honor Society, French Club, Chemistry Club, cross country, swimming, track, and Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic.
College: The University of Georgia
Scholarship: Foundation Fellowship
Study/career interest: Math/Foreign Languages, possibly Pre-Medicine
Favorite quote for inspiration: “It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.” — Gabriel García Márquez
Parents: Constanza Beron and Rafael De La Torre ► Della Cummings
Valedictorian, Athens Academy
Extracurricular activities: Homeless shelter dinners, Adopt-a-Highway
College: Middlebury College
Career interest: Economics
Favorite quote: “Walk softly and carry a big stick.” — Teddy Roosevelt
Parents: Pepe and Collette Cummings ► Everett Young
Salutatorian, Athens Academy
Extracurricular activities: Habitat for Humanity, football, baseball, Oconee State Bank Junior Board of Directors, Youth Leadership Oconee, YMCA Camp High Harbour
College: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Scholarship: Carolina Scholarship (includes room and board)
Study/career interest: Pre-med, biomedical engineering
Favorite quote for inspiration: “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” — Thomas Jefferson
Parents: Glenn and Jan Young ► Mac Freeman
Valedictorian, Athens Christian
Extracurricular Activities: Tennis, National Honor Society
College: North Georgia College and State University
Scholarship: HOPE
Study/career interest: Undecided
Parents: Tony and Janice Freeman ► Rachel Alexander
Valedictorian, Athens Christian
Extracurricular activities: Softball, Flag Corp, Bible Quiz, drama, chorus, National Honor Society
College: North Georgia College and State University
Scholarship: HOPE
Study/career interest: Engineering/Architecture
Favorite quote for inspiration:  “You can do not great things, only small things with great love.” — Mother Theresa
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 Holy Bible
Parents: Terryle and Owen Alexander ► Jennie Catherine Nash
Salutatorian, Athens Christian
Extracurricular Activities: Cheerleading, National Honor Society, drama, chorus, yearbook, track, cross country
College: University of Georgia
Scholarships: HOPE, Harris Merit Scholarship
Study/career interest: Undecided
Favorite quote for inspiration: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Parents: Wesley and Cathy Nash ► Michelle Hansey
Salutatorian, Athens Christian
Extracurricular activities: Track, volleyball, basketball, National Honor Society, Bible Quiz
College: Georgia Tech
Scholarship: HOPE
Study/career interest: Electrical or Chemical Engineering
Parents: Mark and Dionne Hansey
► Ian Edward Dunne
Valedictorian, Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School
Extracurricular activities: President of National Honor Society for three years, student government (class vice president freshman and sophomore years; class president) for four years, honor council, honor code member for four years, varsity tennis for three years
College: University of Georgia
Scholarship: Harris Scholarship at UGA
Study/career interest: Double major in classics and mathematics; wants to do premed
Parents: Richard and Scarlett Dunne ► Margaret Chapman Story
Salutatorian, Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School
Extracurricular activities: School choir for four years, vice-president of the National Honor Society, student government (student body vice president), Honor Council for four years, tennis team
College: University of Georgia
Scholarship: Harris Scholarship
Study/career interest: Biology and medicine (dermatology)  
Favorite quote for inspiration: “Try not to become a man of success, rather a man of value.” — Albert Einstein  
Parents: Todd and Sara Story ► Rebekah Elizabeth Desso
Valedictorian, Prince Avenue Christian High School
Extracurricular activities:  Basketball three years, Beta Club, chorus two years; Prince Avenue Youth Group, Pep Club
College:  University of Georgia
Scholarships: Hope; Governor’s Honors
Study/career interest: Undecided
Favorite quote for inspiration: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”  — I John 3:1
Parents:  Robert and Jane Desso ► Philip Michael Peavy
Salutatorian, Prince Avenue Christian High School
Extracurricular activities: Musical theater, piano, varsity swim team, Youth Praise Band
College:  University of Georgia
Scholarships: Hope and Governor’s scholarships
Study/career interest: Pharmacy/Chemistry
Favorite quote for inspiration: “One honest voice can carry over a crowd.”— Elle Woods
Parents:  Mike and Angie Peavy ► Sam McClelland
Valedictorian, Westminster Christian Academy
Extracurricular activities: Boy Scouts, Eagle Scout, plays piano and guitar, battle of band winner at Oconee High School, varsity soccer, president of National Honor Society, Student Council class representative
College: University of Virginia
Study/career interest: Right now major will be in linguistics
Favorite quote for inspiration: “Never let your schooling interfere with your education.” — Mark Twain
Parents: Fletcher and Julie McClelland ► Katelyn M. Woods
Salutatorian, Westminster Christian Academy
Extracurricular activities: Varsity swim team (four years, captain last two years) and State Top 8 in all events this year, top 10 in all events last year; USA Swimming with year round team Swim Oconee; varsity softball; work three jobs: Summer Hill lifeguard, Oconee Parks and Rec Department and YWCO (and frequent babysitter); National Honor Society officer; Beta Club; Redeemer Presbyterian Youth Group; tutor at Gaines Elementary School;
College: University of Georgia
Scholarships: HOPE and the Sam Walton Community Scholarship
Study/career interest: Exercise and sports science; I would love to enter the medical field at some point in my life, in what area I’m not sure.
Favorite quote for inspiration: “Far better is it to fare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure ... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” — Theodore Roosevelt
Parents: Steve and Donna Rae Woods ► Brandon Smith
Valedictorian, Jackson County Comprehensive High School
Extracurricular activities: Marching band, jazz band, jazz combo, percussion ensemble, wind ensemble,Spanish Honors Society, Tri-M Music Honors Society, history club
College: Columbus State University
Scholarships: HOPE and CSU Music Major scholarships
Study/career interest: Music
Favorite quote for inspiration: “Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth dying for; to make them worth it.” — C.S. Lewis
Parents: Craig and Cheryl Smith ► Kathryn Allene Elrod
Salutatorian, Jackson County Comprehensive High School
Extracurricular activities: Varsity football competition cheerleading, 9-11th grades
College: North Georgia College and State University
Study/career interest: Early Childhood/special education
Favorite quote for inspiration: “If you want a surefire way to reshape the future, here it is: Find something important to say to the next generation ... and say it.” — Marie T. Freeman
Parents’ names: Joe and Kathy Elrod ► Krizel Roque
Valedictorian, North Oconee High School
Extracurricular activities: Student Council, Interact Club, Beta, National Honor Society, Titan Ambassadors
College: University of Georgia
Scholarship: Oconee Lyons Club
Study/career interest: Nursing
Favorite quote for inspiration: “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” — Matthew 6:34
Parents: Mennen and Lorna Roque ► Brandon Maffei
Salutatorian, North Oconee High School
Extracurricular activities: Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, superintendent's student, Advisory Committee, Beta Club, National Honor Society, tennis, cross country
College: Duke University
Study/career interest: Undecided/ medicine
Parents: Karen and Vincent Maffei ► Courtney Freeman
Valedictorian, Madison County High School
Extracurricular activities: Senior class president, varsity basketball captain, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
College: Appalachian State
Scholarship: Full athletic scholarship  
Study/career interest: Biology/pre-med
Favorite quote for inspiration: “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13
Parents: Stanley and Sonja Freeman ► Laura Anfinson
Salutatorian, Madison County High School
Extracurricular activities: Mu Alpha Theta, Multi-cultural Club, marching band, tennis
College: Georgia Tech
Scholarship: Academic   
Study/career interest: Mechanical Engineering/alternative energy
Favorite quote for inspiration: “Go not where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Parents: Tim and Beth Anfinson ► Erika Deshon
Valedictorian, East Jackson County Comprehensive High School
Extracurricular activities: Beta Club, Science Olympiad, National English Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, History Club, academic team, cross country, member of the First Georgia Banking Company Junior Board of Directors, soccer
College: University of Georgia
Scholarship: HOPE; others applied for
Study/career interest: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, medicine/surgery
Favorite quote for inspiration: “Life is a series of collisions with the future; it is not the sum of what we have been, but what we yearn to be.”  — Jose Ortega y Gasset
Parents: Brian and Jennifer Deshon ► Andy Van Deventer
Salutatorian, East Jackson County Comprehensive High School
Extracurricular activities: Jazz band, Beta Club president, Student Advisory Club co-vice president, marching band, drama club, varsity cross country, Science Olympiad, history club, Academic Team member of the First Georgia Banking Company Junior Board of Directors, National English Honor Society, soccer
Study/career interest: Computational Media
College: Georgia Institute of Technology
Scholarship: HOPE
Study/career interest: Computer programming/ video game design
Favorite quote for inspiration: “In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.” — “The Restaurant At the End of the Universe” by Douglas Adams
Parents: The late John Van Deventer, and Suzanne and Russell Kozlosky (stepfather) ► Catherine Nelson Ball
Valedictorian, Commerce High School
Extracurricular activities: Governor’s Honors Program, Key Club, Beta Club, Academic Team, chess club, Commerce Leaders and Super Students
College: University of Georgia  
Study/career interest: Cellular Biology/Scientific Research
Favorite quote for inspiration: “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.” — Philip K. Dick
Parents: Carl and JoAn Ball         ► Chelsey Cain
Salutatorian, Commerce High School
Extracurricular activities: Key Club president, Beta Club secretary, literary (extemporaneous speaking), golf, Horizons, Student Council secretary, North Georgia Bank Junior Board of Directors, Academic Team, yearbook staff academics editor
College: University of Georgia
Study/career interest: History
Favorite quote for inspiration: “Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” — William Faulkner
Parents: Kent and Ann Cain ► Helen Kalla
Valedictorian, Oglethorpe County High School
Extracurricular activities: Ecomaniacs (environmental club), Beta Club
College: University of Georgia
Scholarship: National Merit scholarship, UGA Charter Scholarship, HOPE
Study/career interest: Undecided
Favorite quote for inspiration: “Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.” — Marcus Aurelius
Parents: Peter and Lise Kalla ► Paige Brianne Lowe
Salutatorian, Oglethorpe County High School
Extracurricular activities: Varsity track, varsity cross country, varsity basketball,  Beta Club, Young Democrats (president and vice president), ecomaniacs, prom committee, yearbook and newspaper staff, honor council, marching band, concert band.
Awards: Track (Most Improved, Coach’s Award, Best in Field, Best All-Around) the University of Georgia Certificate of Merit, 2008 Graduation Marshal, Athlete of the Week, Rotary Student of the Month
College: Georgia Tech
Scholarship: Daughters of the American Revolution Award, Rotary Student of the Year, Curtis Coile Memorial Scholarship Award, William L. Green, Jr. “Hall of Fame”
Study/career interest: Industrial Psychology/Pre-med
Favorite quote for inspiration: “First, say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” — Epictetus
Parents: Eric and Cindi Lowe ► Grace Stephens
Valedictorian, Oconee County High School
Extracurricular activities: dancing with Oconee Youth Playhouse, theater, president of Beta Club, vice president for National Honor Society, Peer Helpers, editor for Ampersand, the school’s literary magazine
College: University of Georgia
Scholarship type/achievements: Honors program
Study/career interest: Undecided
Favorite quote for inspiration: “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” — Dumbledore from “Harry Potter”
Parents: Lawton and Mary Stephens ► Jacob Fluri
Salutatorian, Oconee County High School
Extracurricular activities: Baseball, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Oconee State Bank Junior Board of Directors, percussionist for the marching band and flutist for competitive symphonic and concert bands when he attended South Gwinnett High School
College: University of Georgia
Study/career interest: Undecided/something in the medical field
Parents: Ted and Shannon Fluri ► Gina Borg
Valedictorian, Apalachee High School
Extracurricular activities: National Honors Society, Beta Club, Academic Team, drama club, Sunday School teacher
College: University of Georgia
Scholarship: HOPE
Study/career interest: Newspaper journalism
Favorite Quote for inspiration: “All my life I have tried to pluck a thistle and plant a flower wherever the flower would grow in thought and mind.” — Abraham Lincoln
Parents: John and Donna Borg ► Lauren Morris
Salutatorian, Apalachee High School
Extracurriculars: National Honor Society, varsity volleyball, dual enrollment at Gainesville State College, mentoring at Bethlehem Elementary School
College: Georgia State University
Scholarships: Georgia State Merit Scholarship (acceptance into the Honors Program as well), Sam Walton Scholarship, Masonic Lodge Scholarship awarded, HOPE Scholarship
Study interest: Sociology followed by enrollment in the Peace Corps
Quote: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” — David Thoreau
Parents: James A. Morris, Penny M. Morris ► Grayson Gresham
Valedictorian, Winder-Barrow High School
Extracurricular activities: National Honor Society, Beta Club, Spanish Honor Society, Student Career Advisory Network, Bulldogg Pride, student council, varsity football cheerleader, Anchor Club (president), senior class president, Community Bank and Trust Student Advisory Board
College: University of Georgia
Study/career interest: Public relations
Favorite quote for inspiration: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Parents: Terrell Gresham and Karen Dowis ► Taylor N. Turner
Salutatorian, Winder-Barrow High School
Extracurricular activities: Marching band, basketball band, percussion ensemble, future educators association, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Bulldogg Pride
College: North Georgia College and State University
Study/career interest: Early childhood education
Favorite quote for inspiration: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: near the Lord, and depart from evil.” — Proverbs 3:5,6,7
Parents: Gary and Dedra Turner ► Kyle Roberds
Valedictorian, Jefferson High School
Extracurricular activities: Football, wrestling, Total Person Program, Scotland Exchange Program: Europe/World War II trip, Beta Club
College: Georgia Tech
Scholarship: HOPE
Study/career interest: Engineering
Favorite quote for inspiration: “If you can fill the unforgiving minute, With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it ...”— Rudyard Kipling
Parents: Ed and Ellen Roberds ► Daniel Miller
Valedictorian, Jefferson High School
Extracurricular activities: Band, Beta Club
College: Georgia Tech
Scholarship: HOPE, Georgia Engineers
Study/career interest: Nuclear engineering
Favorite quote for inspiration: Carpe Diem, a Latin phrase translated as “Seize the day”
Parents: Michael and Marilyn Miller ► Ashley Etchison
Salutatorian, Jefferson High School
Extracurricular activities: Tennis, Total Person Program, Beta Club, FBLA, Scotland Exchange Program
College: University of Georgia
Scholarship type: HOPE, Unity Lodge No. 36 F&AM
Study/career interest: Biology
Favorite quote for inspiration: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you will land among the stars.” — Les Brown
Parents: Paul and Mary Etchison ► Colby Fowler
Salutatorian, Jefferson High School
Extracurricular activities: Tennis, Total Person Program, Beta Club, FBLA, Scotland Exchange Program
College: University of Georgia
Scholarship: HOPE; Unity Lodge No. 36 F&AM
Study/career interest: Biology
Favorite quote for inspiration: “To be nobody but yourself — in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else — means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” — e.e. cummings
Parents: Andy and Carla FowlerPhoto by Kelly Lambert / Staff