They're No. 1: Stefanie Slemmer, Zalma High School valedictorian

STEFANIE SLEMMER

School: Zalma High School

Hometown: Zalma, Mo.

Parents: Sheri Slemmer and Steve and Faye Slemmer

Post-graduation plans: To get my bachelor's in math

High school activities: Beta Club, FCCLA, softball, yearbook, student council, academic team, FBLA, speech and debate.

Honors: Multiple class awards, all-conference team honorable mention, radio speaking district finalist, college prep certificate

GPA: 3.9

Favorite high school memory: My favorite high school memory is just how close my class of 19 actually was. We were always together whether in school or out. We could all 19 of us [get] together and go out and eat somewhere on the weekends. We were all best friends. That's what will be the hardest when we all go off to different colleges.

Favorite teacher and why: My favorite teacher was Ms. Tiffany Dannenmueller. She was the most calm, sweet and admirable person I have ever met. We had a special connection and she went on to become my best friend. She passed away last October.

Role model: My grandma.

Summer plans: Do everything I can to prepare for college.

What will you miss about High School? I'll miss everything -- my friends, teachers, classes. High school really is the best years of your life.

Advice to incoming seniors: Don't rush the year away. It'll be loads of fun, but you won't want it to end. Be a kid for as long as you can before you have to experience the real world!

How will you make the world a better place? I hope by being a role model for younger people, they will see that you don't always have to follow the crowd. You don't have to be someone else. Just be yourself and let your colors show.

What your prop says about you: My softball and glove represent who I am. I have played softball for over 10 years, on a team and sometimes not. Zalma started a team my junior year, and that softball was given to me by my team after I pitched the first win ever on that field. The pictures on my hat represent me because I wanted to have a little part of everyone I cared for with me as I crossed that stage and began my new life as an adult.