They're No. 1: Samantha Amberger, Perryville High School valedictorian

Samantha Amberger

School: Perryville High School

Hometown: Perryville, Mo.

Parents: James and Tina Amberger

Post-graduation plans: Attend the six-year medical program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

High school activities: Varsity volleyball, varsity soccer, National Honor Society, Drama Club, Silver Dagger Society, Student Council, New Student Ambassador

Honors: Varsity volleyball and soccer all-conference, district, region and state honors, secretary/treasurer of the senior class

GPA: 4.0

Favorite high school memory: My favorite high school memory is just my senior year in general. I learned so much about myself and had fun every second of every day.

Favorite teacher and why: Mr. Jesse Laurentius because his class was by far the most interesting and I loved his sense of humor, and Mr. Ashcraft because he helped me discover my passion in the science field.

Role model: My siblings are definitely my role models. They're strong, intelligent, beautiful people, and I'm blessed to have them in my life.

Summer plans: I am currently taking a chemistry class at St. Louis Community College. I also plan to take a few vacations, to Minnesota and Indiana, and then spend the rest of my summer with friends and family before I leave for college.

What will you miss about high school? I'll miss seeing everyone every day, regardless of how much or little you talked to them. I also loved the size of our school because it was small enough that I at least knew of everyone in our graduating class.

How will you make the world a better place? Well, I hope to eventually become a doctor, so that's a start! I also would like to travel to foreign countries on mission trips both during college and afterward.

What your prop says about you: My prop says that I'm passionate about everything I choose to pursue. If I don't love it, then I shouldn't be doing it.