Valedictorian

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Seventeen students graduated June 2 from Faith Christian Academy, according to an academy press release. The valedictorian was Kyle James Tucker. The salutatorian was Corey Thomas Ash. Graduates are: · Christopher Earl Apple · Corey Thomas Ash · David Beltrami · Jacob Aaron Cave · Heather Lynnette Childs · Emma Kirk Cook · Seth Michael Cook · Jenna Lynn Donivan · Joel Christopher Heslop · Danielle Marie Kerns · Aaron Wesley Ladd · James Alexander Skarbek · Kyle James Tucker · Justin Ryan Walls · Brendan Caleb Way · Jacqueline Ann Werhoff · Autumn Danielle Zack

Elizabeth J. Groenendyk moved to the area from northwest Iowa two years ago, and enrolled at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts in Hagerstown as a junior. At that time, she wasn't sure what to expect. But Groenendyk fit in right away. “Coming into Barbara Ingram as a new student was definitely an interesting experience, but it was so great,” she said. “Everybody was so nice to me.” The valedictorian of the Class of 2012, Groenendyk and 24 of her classmates were commended for their excellence in the arts and academics Thursday night during commencement exercises at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hagerstown.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Amber Keck, a junior at Penn State University, was inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars in a ceremony Sept. 18. She is majoring in statistics. She is carrying a 3.75 grade-point average. She is a 2009 graduate of Clear Spring High School, where she was co-valedictorian and a member of the National Honor Society with a 4.39 GPA. Amber is the daughter of Julie Taylor of Clear Spring, and the granddaughter of Artie and Sondie Barnhart of St. Thomas, Pa. ST. JAMES - Senior David Suh of Korea, a student at Saint James School, is one of 16,000 semifinalists in the 57th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Draped in their red gowns, Benjamin Shuster and Edward Beachley took the podium together Friday morning - and got the full-house crowd laughing inside North Hagerstown High School's auditorium. The tandem, North High's Class of 2012 valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, went back and forth, alternating every few words in their opening remarks. “But no, we would not do that because that would be...,” Beachley said. “Very annoying,” Shuster quickly chimed in, prompting widespread laughter.

North and South Hagerstown high schools sent another class off into the world Friday morning. North High, which featured a commencement address from Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, graduated 128 students. South High graduated 125 students. "I just want to be happy. Isn't that what everyone wants?" said South High salutatorian Kari Belin, who plans to be a cardiologist. South High Valedictorian Grace Thammasuvimol said she has wanted to be a pediatrician ever since fifth grade, when her cousin helped her over an illness in Thailand.

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - Just a few weeks into their sophomore year, members of Hedgesville High School's class of 2004 found themselves watching history on classroom televisions. The events of Sept. 11, 2001, made them more proud to be Americans, but also marked the last time a more innocent group of people would be together, co-valedictorian Brandon Kerns said during the school's commencement ceremony Saturday morning. The graduation ceremony, in which 281 students received diplomas, was held at Shepherd University's Butcher Athletic Center.

McCONNELLSBURG, Pa. - The high school journey came to an end Friday night for McConnellsburg High School's class of 2008. The senior class of 65 students received numerous scholarships and awards, and a crowd of close to 500 family members and friends applauded vigorously with each announcement. Principal Todd Beatty praised the class for its high achievements and readiness to go forward. "When the rubber meets the road, they're on it," he said. Class valedictorian Stephanie Robinson received multiple scholarships.

For Dawn Beard the graduation of her son, Dalton, from Boonsboro High School was an occasion aptly described in one word: "Bittersweet," she said as she watched her son and 231 others receive their diplomas at Hagerstown Community College's Athletic, Recreation and Community Center. Beard had gone to the graduation ceremony in 2010, the year her son Zachary would have graduated. Zachary was killed on July 4, 2004, in an ATV accident that also claimed the life of another boy. "I came to graduation last year because I knew all his friends.

dank@herald-mail.com Friday marked an ending and a beginning for Boonsboro High School's class of 2002, Principal Richard Akers said. The commencement ceremony for the 176 graduates marked the end of their time as Boonsboro students, during which they had many great achievements such as winning this year's state baseball championship, Akers said. Commencement also signaled the beginning of their adult lives, he said. Akers encouraged the graduates to take their roles as citizens seriously, vote and step forward when leadership is needed.

The valedictorians and salutatorian of the class of 2009 at Clear Spring High School are: Korey Atherton, valedictorian; Amber Keck, valedictorian; and Amy Poet, salutatorian. Graduation awards The Clear Spring Lions Club Scholarship is presented to a member of the graduating class who plans to continue his/her education. The scholarship is determined by the Lions Club. The recipients are Lauren Belt, Robert Hockenbury, Joshua Hoffman, Adam Lipella and Allen Mackey.

Caitlyn E. Wilson had a little fun during her valedictorian address Friday afternoon - although some of her Smithsburg High School classmates had asked her to give “the short version” and “hide her crazy.” “I feel like a flying squirrel in this thing,” Wilson said of her purple commencement gown, garnering a collective chuckle from the capacity crowd inside The Maryland Theatre in downtown Hagerstown. Wilson's speech included a long list of memories that brought smiles to faces of many of the 173 graduating seniors in Smithsburg's Class of 2013, just before the group received their diplomas during the school's annual commencement ceremony.

In 2009, a group of Washington County students about to make the transition into high school made a bold choice to break away from their home schools to attend a new arts school in downtown Hagerstown. To focus on their love of the arts or to start with a brand new group of kids - whatever the reason - it was the perfect choice for those 64 students. And on Thursday night, that Class of 2013 received their diplomas and graduated from the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts before a full house crowd at The Maryland Theatre.

Draped in their red gowns, Benjamin Shuster and Edward Beachley took the podium together Friday morning - and got the full-house crowd laughing inside North Hagerstown High School's auditorium. The tandem, North High's Class of 2012 valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, went back and forth, alternating every few words in their opening remarks. “But no, we would not do that because that would be...,” Beachley said. “Very annoying,” Shuster quickly chimed in, prompting widespread laughter.

When his time came to speak during Friday's Smithsburg High School graduation ceremony, Valedictorian Abdul R. Latif chugged some water and grabbed the microphone. Nine minutes later, he had received two standing ovations for a sharp, punchy monologue filled with inside jokes, advice and a tribute to a classmate who died - all delivered without notes. Near the end, he zipped through a one-minute rap-style chronology of the Class of 2012's high-school career. It was a lively sendoff at The Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown for a class that has experienced both significant successes, through its athletic teams, and the loss of a friend - Mitchell Akers, who died in April after an accident at Municipal Stadium.

Elizabeth J. Groenendyk moved to the area from northwest Iowa two years ago, and enrolled at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts in Hagerstown as a junior. At that time, she wasn't sure what to expect. But Groenendyk fit in right away. “Coming into Barbara Ingram as a new student was definitely an interesting experience, but it was so great,” she said. “Everybody was so nice to me.” The valedictorian of the Class of 2012, Groenendyk and 24 of her classmates were commended for their excellence in the arts and academics Thursday night during commencement exercises at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hagerstown.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Amber Keck, a junior at Penn State University, was inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars in a ceremony Sept. 18. She is majoring in statistics. She is carrying a 3.75 grade-point average. She is a 2009 graduate of Clear Spring High School, where she was co-valedictorian and a member of the National Honor Society with a 4.39 GPA. Amber is the daughter of Julie Taylor of Clear Spring, and the granddaughter of Artie and Sondie Barnhart of St. Thomas, Pa. ST. JAMES - Senior David Suh of Korea, a student at Saint James School, is one of 16,000 semifinalists in the 57th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

For Dawn Beard the graduation of her son, Dalton, from Boonsboro High School was an occasion aptly described in one word: "Bittersweet," she said as she watched her son and 231 others receive their diplomas at Hagerstown Community College's Athletic, Recreation and Community Center. Beard had gone to the graduation ceremony in 2010, the year her son Zachary would have graduated. Zachary was killed on July 4, 2004, in an ATV accident that also claimed the life of another boy. "I came to graduation last year because I knew all his friends.

The valedictorians and salutatorian of the class of 2009 at Clear Spring High School are: Korey Atherton, valedictorian; Amber Keck, valedictorian; and Amy Poet, salutatorian. Graduation awards The Clear Spring Lions Club Scholarship is presented to a member of the graduating class who plans to continue his/her education. The scholarship is determined by the Lions Club. The recipients are Lauren Belt, Robert Hockenbury, Joshua Hoffman, Adam Lipella and Allen Mackey.

A rocket scientist for NASA, a master control operator for C-SPAN, a high school math teacher, moms, dads. These are just some of the ways to describe the valedictorian class of 1999. It's been 10 years since they graduated at the top of their classes. We wondered, What are they up to now? We attempted to track down valedictorians from Washington County schools to see if they would share their stories. For the most part, we were successful. We found 11 valedictorians willing to update us on their lives since high school, including three co-valedictorians from Williamsport High School.

As Ed Gainnes watched his grandson line up for St. Maria Goretti High School's graduation, he imparted a few words of wisdom. "Today, most of these kids probably aren't thinking about the great education they received or some of the friendships they'll leave behind," he said. "They're just happy to be out of high school. " But fast forward 20 years from now, he said, and this will be a special time in their lives. On Saturday afternoon, 45 students walked into St. Ann Catholic Church as seniors and walked out as graduates of the class of 2009.