Valedictorian: Abby Ritter, 18

Notre Dame Regional High School valedictorian

Birthday: Jan. 21, 1996

Birthplace: Springfield, Missouri

Future plans: Studying biochemistry and molecular biology with a minor in creative writing at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. She then plans to work for Doctors Without Borders.

Extracurricular activities: Lots of theater; she's working on "A Midsummer Night's Dream" right now, which opens Friday; was captain of the varsity scholar bowl team and was on the all-state team this year. She also takes a hapkido class that she loves.

Dream job: Working for Doctors Without Borders

Mentor: The support system of Notre Dame teachers. "They're always there to help you out, whether it's something going on in your life, or homework problems."

What are some of the accomplishments your class has made throughout the years? "We've done a ton of charity work, raised over $12,000 for a student whose father died in October," she said. Also, service work; valedictorian Reagan Kapp, who was a Missouri Scholars 100; and there were three National Merit Scholars.

What are some of your best memories or worst of your class in the past 12 years? One of the worst was that the class of 2014 has gotten hurt a lot. One student broke his neck and another was in and out of the hospital for an extended period of time. "That's been rough," just being worried about her classmates.

For the best memories, Ritter said she has loved doing the fall plays and working on construction crews every year and going to state every year with the scholar bowl team.