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Midland, Lee high schools tap valedictorians, salutatorians
by Ruth Campbell
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Note: MISD will hold its graduation ceremonies today for Midland and Lee high schools. MHS' graduation will take place at 10 a.m.; Lee's at 4 p.m.
Graduation lists provided by MISD will run on future Education Pages.
By Ruth Campbell
Staff Writer
Along with their huge list of accomplishments, this year's valedictorians and salutatorians also found time for academic achievement.
Jacob Ross Peterson is the valedictorian for Lee High School and Heidi Blake the salutatorian. At Midland High, the valedictorian is William Bedford Booth and salutatorian, Kelly Elaine Craig.
"The district is extremely proud of these young men and women," Student Development Specialist Ron Moss said. "They have achieved a high degree of academic success and have worked very hard to accomplish this honor.
"Everyone in the MISD family congratulates them and we look forward to the many successes they will achieve in the future," Moss said.
Jacob Ross Peterson
Peterson is the son of Christopher Kevin and Sara Anne Peterson.
School activities include: University Interscholastic League math and science, co-president of the Lee choir, Origin (show choir), and chorale (varsity choir); D-FY-IT (Drug-free Youth in Texas); PTSA; National Honor Society; German Honor Society; TMEA Texas Music Scholars; Texas Scholars.
Academic letterman (grades 9-11); all-region choir, District UIL Solo and Ensemble Choir Competition receiving a Division I rating; National PTA Reflection's Contest city winner; National PTA Reflections Contest district winner; National PTA Reflections Contest state honorable mention; and National PTA Reflections Contest state award of merit.
His community activities Eagle Scout project: Collected more than 20,000 books to create library at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center; organized books, developed a checkout system, cataloged materials.
Donated 10,000 books to community center, 10,000 to Friends of the Library; Boy Scouts; church choir; church hand bell chorus; Spirit Wind (North West Texas United Methodist Conference youth choir); Worship Council youth representative; Youth Council class representative; Outreach Council youth representative; participates in St. Luke's UMC Soli Deo Gloria (children's music program); St. Luke's UMC Pumpkin Patch and Halloween Carnival; St. Luke's UMC vacation Bible school; AMOS food drives.
Honors and awards include being recognized in "Who's Who Among American High School Students;" Eagle Scout Rensseelaer Merit; Polytechnic Institute Medal National Award; three-year academic letterman; three-year choir letterman; algebra II award; pre-calculus award; UIL math and science district math winner.
He plans to attend either Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Texas A&M University, get doctorate in nuclear engineering. After college, work either in government or a private company researching, designing and maintaining nuclear power facilities.
Heidi Blake
Blake is the daughter of LaRae Blake and the late Ben Blake.
School activities include honor band, full orchestra, D-FY-IT, Interact, yearbook, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, superintendent's advisory committee.
Honors and awards are three years as a drum major, sophomore representative for band; bassoon section leader; four-year All-Region and All-Region Orchestra member; four-year area band qualifier; Texas all-state symphonic band member; recipient of outstanding sophomore and junior girl band member awards; Paula Crider Inspirational Award; three-year George Cooper Academic Award.
Also, Music Merit Scholar; four-year academic, band and orchestra lettermen; National Honor Society Sweetheart; Miss Academic; recipient of several PTA Reflections awards.
Blake attends early morning seminary (church) classes at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is in the church choir, serves as church youth group assistant leader, secretary and president; youth camp leader; and volunteers for American Cancer Society Relay for Life and various other charities.
She plans to attend Brigham Young University in the fall.
Blake's siblings all achieved much during their high school years.
"I knew that with two siblings as valedictorian and one sibling as salutatorian, I had a lot to live up to. However, I simply did my best in all my classes. I am very honored to receive this award," she said.
William Bedford Booth
Booth is the son of Richard and Megan Booth.
He is a National Merit Finalist; AP Scholar with honors; All-American Scholar; National Leadership Merit Award (11th grade); Principal's Leadership Award (12th grade); UIL scholar (12th grade); President's Academic Excellence Award (12th grade).
Also, Catoico (prom) King 2008 (12th grade); four-year academic letterman; National Honors Society (10-12th grade); National Spanish Honors Society; U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award (12th grade); AP English Student of the Year (12th grade).
He won the Theresa Klapproth Academic Award this year and the Bausch and Lomb Science Medal in 11th grade; Honors Spanish Student of the Year (10th grade); Honors Math Student of the Year (10th grade); Honors Science Student of the Year (10th grade).
He is on the Midland College Dean's List; "Who's Who Among American High School Students;" Downtown Lion's Club student of the week; 2006-07 Honorable Mention All- District football (11th grade); 2006-07 Academic First Team All-District Basketball (11th grade); 2007-08 Pre-season Academic All-State Football Team (12th grade); 2007-08 2nd Team All District Football Team (12th grade); 2007-08 Academic Elite All State Football Team (12th grade); 2007-08 MHS Defensive Most Valuable Player (football) (12th grade).
Leadership roles include class president (9-12th grade); National Honors Society Cabinet (12th grade); Principal's Cabinet (11-12th grade); basketball team captain, (9-10th grade); permanent member of football leadership council class of 2008; captain of the varsity football team (12th grade).
Also, head delegate for Trinidad and Tobago in Model Organization of American States (11th grade) and captain of Trinidad and Tobago team for MOAS (11th grade).
Extracurricular activities and clubs include choir letterman (9th grade); Debate Team (11th grade); Model Organization of American States (10-11th grade); Church Youth Group (9-12th grade).
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (9-12th grade); Young Life (9-12th grade); Member of ProLiteracy America (10-11th); qualified for Membership in National Forensic League (11th grade).
Volunteer work includes Midland Fair Havens (9-10th grade); New Found Friends Animal Shelter (10th grade); tutor for Midland Need to Read (11th grade); mission trip to Cuidad Juarez, Mexico to build houses and a church (10-12th grade); Keep Midland Beautiful trash pick-ups (12th grade); organized two blood drives at MHS (12th grade).
Future plans include playing football for Yale University and major in economics and politics with a minor in Mandarin Chinese.
"I am honored to be the valedictorian of Midland High School," Booth said. "There are so many other people just as qualified and deserving of this honor.
"I am the valedictorian because I have the highest grade point average, but by no means does that indicate that I am the smartest person in our class, because our class is filled with many smart people. It has taken four years of hard work and sacrifice to reach this point, and I am excited about meeting new challenges at Yale," he said.
Kelly Elaine Craig
Craig is the daughter of Ken and Jan Craig.
School activities include Latin Club president; three-year varsity soccer player, captain varsity soccer team (junior and senior year); Texas Scholar; yearbook; photography; National Honor Society Cabinet member.
Community and youth activities include Club Soccer Alliance; member of Golf Course Road Church of Christ; Habitat for Humanity volunteer; Midland Soup Kitchen volunteer; assistant coach of the U-10 girls' soccer team; and Keep Midland Beautiful.
Honors and awards include National Honor Society; four-year academic letterman; "Who's Who Among American High School Students;" American Young Leadership Conference; Midland High Merit Award; Magna Cum Laude National Latin Exam; National society of High School Scholars and UIL Scholar.
She plans to attend Hardin Simmons University, play soccer for the school and major in accounting. Craig received the Tyler Berry Memorial Soccer Scholarship.
Craig said attaining salutatorian was hard work, but it made her feel good.
"I guess I love to be involved in school. Soccer is one of my passions," she said. "What drives me is that I have a lot of passion for winning, being part of a lot of different activities and learning how to get along with different people and different organizations.
Graduation lists provided by MISD will run on future Education Pages.
By Ruth Campbell
Staff Writer
Along with their huge list of accomplishments, this year's valedictorians and salutatorians also found time for academic achievement.
Jacob Ross Peterson is the valedictorian for Lee High School and Heidi Blake the salutatorian. At Midland High, the valedictorian is William Bedford Booth and salutatorian, Kelly Elaine Craig.
"The district is extremely proud of these young men and women," Student Development Specialist Ron Moss said. "They have achieved a high degree of academic success and have worked very hard to accomplish this honor.
"Everyone in the MISD family congratulates them and we look forward to the many successes they will achieve in the future," Moss said.
Jacob Ross Peterson
Peterson is the son of Christopher Kevin and Sara Anne Peterson.
School activities include: University Interscholastic League math and science, co-president of the Lee choir, Origin (show choir), and chorale (varsity choir); D-FY-IT (Drug-free Youth in Texas); PTSA; National Honor Society; German Honor Society; TMEA Texas Music Scholars; Texas Scholars.
Academic letterman (grades 9-11); all-region choir, District UIL Solo and Ensemble Choir Competition receiving a Division I rating; National PTA Reflection's Contest city winner; National PTA Reflections Contest district winner; National PTA Reflections Contest state honorable mention; and National PTA Reflections Contest state award of merit.
His community activities Eagle Scout project: Collected more than 20,000 books to create library at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center; organized books, developed a checkout system, cataloged materials.
Donated 10,000 books to community center, 10,000 to Friends of the Library; Boy Scouts; church choir; church hand bell chorus; Spirit Wind (North West Texas United Methodist Conference youth choir); Worship Council youth representative; Youth Council class representative; Outreach Council youth representative; participates in St. Luke's UMC Soli Deo Gloria (children's music program); St. Luke's UMC Pumpkin Patch and Halloween Carnival; St. Luke's UMC vacation Bible school; AMOS food drives.
Honors and awards include being recognized in "Who's Who Among American High School Students;" Eagle Scout Rensseelaer Merit; Polytechnic Institute Medal National Award; three-year academic letterman; three-year choir letterman; algebra II award; pre-calculus award; UIL math and science district math winner.
He plans to attend either Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Texas A&M University, get doctorate in nuclear engineering. After college, work either in government or a private company researching, designing and maintaining nuclear power facilities.
Heidi Blake
Blake is the daughter of LaRae Blake and the late Ben Blake.
School activities include honor band, full orchestra, D-FY-IT, Interact, yearbook, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, superintendent's advisory committee.
Honors and awards are three years as a drum major, sophomore representative for band; bassoon section leader; four-year All-Region and All-Region Orchestra member; four-year area band qualifier; Texas all-state symphonic band member; recipient of outstanding sophomore and junior girl band member awards; Paula Crider Inspirational Award; three-year George Cooper Academic Award.
Also, Music Merit Scholar; four-year academic, band and orchestra lettermen; National Honor Society Sweetheart; Miss Academic; recipient of several PTA Reflections awards.
Blake attends early morning seminary (church) classes at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is in the church choir, serves as church youth group assistant leader, secretary and president; youth camp leader; and volunteers for American Cancer Society Relay for Life and various other charities.
She plans to attend Brigham Young University in the fall.
Blake's siblings all achieved much during their high school years.
"I knew that with two siblings as valedictorian and one sibling as salutatorian, I had a lot to live up to. However, I simply did my best in all my classes. I am very honored to receive this award," she said.
William Bedford Booth
Booth is the son of Richard and Megan Booth.
He is a National Merit Finalist; AP Scholar with honors; All-American Scholar; National Leadership Merit Award (11th grade); Principal's Leadership Award (12th grade); UIL scholar (12th grade); President's Academic Excellence Award (12th grade).
Also, Catoico (prom) King 2008 (12th grade); four-year academic letterman; National Honors Society (10-12th grade); National Spanish Honors Society; U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award (12th grade); AP English Student of the Year (12th grade).
He won the Theresa Klapproth Academic Award this year and the Bausch and Lomb Science Medal in 11th grade; Honors Spanish Student of the Year (10th grade); Honors Math Student of the Year (10th grade); Honors Science Student of the Year (10th grade).
He is on the Midland College Dean's List; "Who's Who Among American High School Students;" Downtown Lion's Club student of the week; 2006-07 Honorable Mention All- District football (11th grade); 2006-07 Academic First Team All-District Basketball (11th grade); 2007-08 Pre-season Academic All-State Football Team (12th grade); 2007-08 2nd Team All District Football Team (12th grade); 2007-08 Academic Elite All State Football Team (12th grade); 2007-08 MHS Defensive Most Valuable Player (football) (12th grade).
Leadership roles include class president (9-12th grade); National Honors Society Cabinet (12th grade); Principal's Cabinet (11-12th grade); basketball team captain, (9-10th grade); permanent member of football leadership council class of 2008; captain of the varsity football team (12th grade).
Also, head delegate for Trinidad and Tobago in Model Organization of American States (11th grade) and captain of Trinidad and Tobago team for MOAS (11th grade).
Extracurricular activities and clubs include choir letterman (9th grade); Debate Team (11th grade); Model Organization of American States (10-11th grade); Church Youth Group (9-12th grade).
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (9-12th grade); Young Life (9-12th grade); Member of ProLiteracy America (10-11th); qualified for Membership in National Forensic League (11th grade).
Volunteer work includes Midland Fair Havens (9-10th grade); New Found Friends Animal Shelter (10th grade); tutor for Midland Need to Read (11th grade); mission trip to Cuidad Juarez, Mexico to build houses and a church (10-12th grade); Keep Midland Beautiful trash pick-ups (12th grade); organized two blood drives at MHS (12th grade).
Future plans include playing football for Yale University and major in economics and politics with a minor in Mandarin Chinese.
"I am honored to be the valedictorian of Midland High School," Booth said. "There are so many other people just as qualified and deserving of this honor.
"I am the valedictorian because I have the highest grade point average, but by no means does that indicate that I am the smartest person in our class, because our class is filled with many smart people. It has taken four years of hard work and sacrifice to reach this point, and I am excited about meeting new challenges at Yale," he said.
Kelly Elaine Craig
Craig is the daughter of Ken and Jan Craig.
School activities include Latin Club president; three-year varsity soccer player, captain varsity soccer team (junior and senior year); Texas Scholar; yearbook; photography; National Honor Society Cabinet member.
Community and youth activities include Club Soccer Alliance; member of Golf Course Road Church of Christ; Habitat for Humanity volunteer; Midland Soup Kitchen volunteer; assistant coach of the U-10 girls' soccer team; and Keep Midland Beautiful.
Honors and awards include National Honor Society; four-year academic letterman; "Who's Who Among American High School Students;" American Young Leadership Conference; Midland High Merit Award; Magna Cum Laude National Latin Exam; National society of High School Scholars and UIL Scholar.
She plans to attend Hardin Simmons University, play soccer for the school and major in accounting. Craig received the Tyler Berry Memorial Soccer Scholarship.
Craig said attaining salutatorian was hard work, but it made her feel good.
"I guess I love to be involved in school. Soccer is one of my passions," she said. "What drives me is that I have a lot of passion for winning, being part of a lot of different activities and learning how to get along with different people and different organizations.
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| Midland Academy Charter students ace Exit TAKS |
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glenda white wrote on May 31, 2008 8:04 PM: