Devin Murphy, Jackson High School valedictorian

Parents' names: David and Rhonda Murphy

What extracurricular activities were you involved in? Can you tell us a little bit about your experiences?

Marching and concert band (freshman and sophomore years)

Who is your role model, and why?

My mom; she is extremely hardworking and selfless and would do just about anything for the people she loves. Also, she makes me keep doing stuff even when I want to quit, which I always appreciate in the long run.

What is your favorite high-school memory?

My friend Meg Fridley was drinking water and started choking, and she made some weird whale sounds, and my other friend, Amelia Popp, and I started laughing hysterically for several minutes.

What are your plans after graduation? Where do you plan to attend school, and have you decided your major? If so, tell us why you chose that path:

I will be going to the University of Missouri at Columbia and majoring (at this time) in international relations with an East Asian emphasis and minoring in Spanish. I'd like to be some kind of U.S. diplomat and teach English in Asia or Latin America.

What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?

Work hard, but don't forget that school is not the peak of your existence. You'll probably hate high school, but just remember it doesn't last forever.

In just three words, describe your high-school experience: Glad it's done.