School District Honors 2016 Valedictorians, Salutatorians

CANTON, GA -- The Cherokee County School District and school board members honored the valedictorians and salutatorians for the class of 2016 during the 16th Annual Scholar Recognition Banquet.

The evening was attended by the scholars and their parents, the teacher each scholar chose as the most influential in his or her education, high school principals, school board members, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower and members of his senior staff.

“We are here to congratulate each of you for your extraordinary academic accomplishments and to recognize some of the wonderful teachers who played an important role in facilitating and supporting your success,” School Board Chair Kyla Cromer told the scholars. “We are all so proud of you; but no one can be as proud as your parents, and we also congratulate them… because we know that they have been right there with you every step of the way.”

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Following dinner, the guests heard speeches by the scholars and their favorite teachers. The students and teachers were congratulated by Dr. Hightower and the board, and each student received an Apple iPad, $50 gift card and plaque.

Each teacher also received a plaque and $100 gift card.

“Tap into your ‘Why?’" Dr. Hightower told the scholars at the banquet’s conclusion. “Know why you want to do what you want to do, and it will all fall into place. We’re so proud of you and all you have accomplished.”

The scholars and their honored teachers are:

Cherokee High School

• Valedictorian Joshua Freeman, who will study microbiology at Vanderbilt University
• Teacher: Tammie Robillard, who taught Joshua in AP math classes
• Salutatorian Conner Stevens, who will study physiology and developmental biology at Brigham Young University to pursue a career as an orthopedic surgeon
• Teacher Heather Smith, who taught Conner in AP history classes

Creekview High School

• Valedictorian Claire Roop, who will study computer science at Georgia Tech to pursue a career in executive management for a Fortune 500 company
• Teacher: Tom Armstrong, who taught Claire in AP math classes at Creekview
• Salutatorian Peyton Heath, who will study engineering at Georgia Tech to pursue a career as an engineer for an innovative company
• Teacher: Wendy McCarron, who taught Peyton in AP math classes at Creekview

Etowah High School

• Valedictorian Sara Kate Brockmeier, who will study math and psychology to pursue a career in math, neuropsychology or teaching
• Teacher: Melissa Paurowski, who taught Sara Kate in AP math classes at Etowah
• Salutatorian Sarah Autry, who will study biomedical engineering to pursue a career as a genetic engineer or radiologist
• Teacher: Dr. Wright Vermilya, who taught Sarah in AP math classes at Etowah

River Ridge High School

• Valedictorian Matthew Wang, who will study computer science at Georgia Tech
• Teacher: Kendra Nayman, who taught Matthew in AP literature at River Ridge
• Salutatorian Alex Rautio, who will study pharmaceutical science at the University of Georgia to pursue a career in research and developing medicine
• Teacher: Joy Clarkston, who taught Alex in AP history and government classes at River Ridge

Sequoyah High School

• Valedictorian Mackenzie Joy, who will study astrophysics and science to pursue a career as a physicist
• Teacher: Brian Carnes, who taught Mackenzie in AP science classes at Sequoyah
• Salutatorian Madison Evans, who will study chemical engineering at Auburn University to pursue a career in the chemistry field or teaching
• Teacher: Dr. Wendy Roberts, who taught Madison in AP science classes at Sequoyah

Woodstock High School

• Valedictorian Michael Gustafson, who will study chemical engineering at Georgia Tech
• Teacher: Henry Oglesby, who served as Michael’s Senior Project facilitator at Woodstock
• Salutatorian Kendall Alsup, who will study biology and genetics at the University of Georgia to pursue a career as an OB-GYN doctor
• Teacher: Merry Willis, who taught Kendall in the fifth grade at Carmel Elementary School and served as her senior project facilitator.

The dinner and gifts were made possible by donations from sponsors: Platinum: EF Tours, KRH Architects Inc., Manley, Spangler & Smith, Northside Hospital-Cherokee, Poole’s Insulation Co. and Woodmont Golf & Country Club; Gold: Brown & Brown Insurance of Georgia, NOVA Engineering, Seasonal Designs Landscaping and Traditions Turf Management Inc.; and Silver: Floorcare Specialists, The Travel Store Inc. and True Natural Gas.

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PHOTO: The 2016 valedictorians and salutatorians are, from left to right, front row: Woodstock HS Salutatorian Kendall Alsup, Sequoyah HS Salutatorian Madison Evans, River Ridge HS Salutatorian Alex Rautio, Etowah HS Salutatorian Sarah Autry, Creekview HS Salutatorian Peyton Heath, Cherokee HS Salutatorian Conner Stevens; back row: Woodstock HS Valedictorian Michael Gustafson, Sequoyah HS Valedictorian Mackenzie Joy, River Ridge HS Valedictorian Matthew Wang, Etowah HS Valedictorian Sara Kate Brockmeier, Creekview HS Valedictorian Claire Roop and Cherokee HS Valedictorian Joshua Freeman. Credit: Cherokee County School District