Valedictorian: Kacie Hampton, 18

Leopold High School valedictorian

Birthday: Jan. 31, 1996

Birthplace: Cape Girardeau

Future plans: I will be attending Southeast Missouri State University starting this fall to get my bachelor's degree in exceptional child education.

Extracurricular activities: I was a member of BETA Club for four years -- I ran for state secretary my junior year and was our club president my senior year; business club for four years, serving as our club president my senior year; Pep Club member for four years, serving as our club president senior year; concert choir for four years and president senior year; robotics for one year; softball catcher for four years and made the All-District team senior year. I was the basketball bookkeeper for four years, and was senior stand manager.

Dream job: I would love to be a lawyer and open my own law firm.

Mentor: I can't choose just one mentor, so I would have to say my mentors are Carlton Thoma, Donna McClard and Julia Horrell. They all greatly impacted my life and education in school and were always there when I needed advice or had a random question. They made class interesting, fun and challenging all at the same time.

What are some of the accomplishments of your class throughout the years? We won the spirit stick three times in a row and won the school's volleyball Christmas tournament. We may not have matured like we probably should've, but we stayed true to ourselves and definitely made the most of our time in high school, which I feel is a great accomplishment.

What are some of your best or worst memories of your class in the past 12 years? On senior trip, in a matter of five days, we all grew closer to each other and made amazing memories together. At graduation, our superintendent spiked a football at the end of his commencement address and our slideshow presentation made everyone laugh by showing our awkward moment faces to the song "This Is Why I'm Hot."