Standout students: Four of the area's valedictorians

Mandy Tucker

School: Oak Ridge High School

Hometown: Oak Ridge

Parents: Rodney and Linda Tucker

Post-graduation plans: Attend Southeast Missouri State University, major undecided.

Activities while in high school: Band, Pep Club, Science Club (vice president), FBLA, NHS (treasurer), FCCLA, SADD, EXCELS, FTA, Missouri Stream Team, senior class treasurer

Honors received: Honor Roll, College Preparatory Studies Certificate, MSHSAA Good Sportsmanship Award, George Washington Carver Award, President's Education Award, Who's Who Registry of Academic Excellence, United States Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award

GPA: 11.18 out of 11.0

Favorite high school memory: "The last softball game of my senior year. I was extremely sad, and so were the two other senior players, but the whole experience had been tons of fun. I'm definitely going to miss all of my teammates."

What are your summer plans?: "Hang out with my friends and work -- after my broken leg heals."

What will you miss about high school?: "Being able to see all of my friends every day."

Randi Elder

School: St. Vincent High School

Hometown: Perryville, Mo.

Parents: Dean and Cindy Elder

Post-graduation plans: attend Maryville University in St. Louis, major in occupational therapy

Activities while in high school: National Honor Society, Drama Club, International Thespian Society, cheerleading, golf team, student council, Sodality, Pep Club, Scholar Bowl, Spanish Club, First Act Community Theatre, school choir

Honors received: Christian Service Award, Jefferson County Activities Association Athletic -- Academic Award, honor nomination to participate in the National Leadership Forum on Medicine

GPA: 4.2

Favorite high school memory: "Playing Kathy in the musical 'Singin' in the Rain'.'"

What are your summer plans?: "I plan on working and hanging out with friends."

What will you miss about high school?: "I will miss being able to see my classmates every day."

Ethan Worthington

School: Eagle Ridge Christian School

Hometown: Cape Girardeau

Parents: Rodney and Jerri Worthington

Post-graduation plans: attend Southeast Missouri State University, major in mass communication (journalism)

Honors received: Honor Society (president), first place in local VFW Voice of Democracy competition, George Washington Carver Award, American Legion School Award, Rotary Club Certificate of Academic Excellence, SEMO Regents Scholarship, Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition

Activities: Basketball, baseball, track and field, Big Brothers Big Sisters, yearbook, choir, drama club

GPA: 3.6 on a 4.0 scale

Favorite high school memory: "Spending time with my friends playing video games and playing sports."

What are your summer plans?: "Working for Ford Groves in the detail department to save up money for college."

What will you miss about high school: "Doing goofy things with my crazy friends in between classes."

Nicole Gremaud

School: Perryville High School

Hometown: Perryville, Mo.

Parents: Ted and Glenda Gremaud

Post-graduation plans: St. Louis University, major in chemistry/ premed

Activities while in high school: basketball, soccer, cheerleading, foreign language club, DECA (an association of business students), Chamber Choir, Postponing Sexual Involvement

Honors received: Jefferson County Athletic Association Athletic/ Academic Award, representative at Sportsmanship Summit, recognition on National Student Athlete Day, nominated for Missouri Scholar Academy, invitation to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine, invitation to participate in the Global Young Leaders Conference, invitation to attend Lead America Conference

GPA: 4.0

Favorite high school memory: "Going to quarterfinals in soccer for the first time in school history."

What are your plans for the summer?: "Lifeguard, teach swim lessons, be an autistic therapist, and get prepared for college in the fall."

What will you miss about high school?: "At this point in time, there is absolutely nothing I will miss."