Riverwood Names 2018 Valedictorian, Salutatorian

From Riverwood Int'l School: Riverwood International Charter School announces its 2018 Valedictorian and Salutatorian, students with the highest and second highest cumulative GPAs.

Valedictorian Saya Abney is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme Candidate and plans to double-major in physics/aerospace engineering and sociology/ethnic studies. She is yet undecided about where she will continue her education, but aspires to attend law school after college. Abney is Riverwood’s 2018 STAR Student, a National Merit Scholar Finalist, and an AP Scholar. She received the Georgia Certificate of Merit as well as the Harvard Prize Book Award. As Co-Captain of the Raider Policy Debate Team, Abney helped restart the team as a freshman, has coached other team members for four years, and has had many successes in debate competitions. A highlight of her varsity debate experience occurred as a junior when she won the 15th Speaker (out of 166) at the 2017 NDCA National Debate Championships. She and her partner, Julia Dias, are the first ever Riverwood debate partnership to qualify for the National Debate Coaches Association Championships, as well as the prestigious Tournament of Champions, both to be held in April 2018. Passionate about education and social justice, Abney serves as an AP World History Tutor, tutors ESOL students in math, and volunteers to coach and judge middle school debate tournaments through the Atlanta Urban Debate League. Abney is a member of the National Spanish Honor Society, the National Honor Society, and the National Beta Club.

Salutatorian Dori Balser plans to attend Washington University in St. Louis in the fall. She is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme candidate and Riverwood Student Body Vice President. Last year, Balser received the Princeton Club’s 2017 Woodrow Wilson Community Service Award and was honored at the Georgia State Capitol. She is one of only 16 high school students selected to serve on the Youth Board of the United Way of Greater Atlanta, and currently serves as a co-chair. Balser was Riverwood’s 2016 "HOBY Ambassador," representing Riverwood at the Hugh O'Brian Summer Youth Leadership Conference. She is a Riverwood Ambassador and an AP World History Tutor. Balser is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, the National Spanish Honor Society, and the National Beta Club.

Image Via Riverwood International Charter School