Heads of the class - 2004 valedictorians and salutatorians

Compiled by Donna Farley * Southeast Missourian

They ranked at the top of their classes, juggled clubs and volunteer organizations, and received thousands of dollars in scholarships. And it wasn't easy. For their hard work, the Southeast Missourian honors the area's valedictorians and salutatorians.

Eagle Ridge High School, Cape Girardeau

Samantha Glen Mathews, valedictorian

- Plans: University of Missouri-Rolla, major in physics, go to graduate school at MIT, get a Ph.D. in astro physics, work for NASA

- Senior activities: Yearbook, newspaper, youth group, Christian Honor Student Association, art and piano lessons

- Community activities: Youth ministry, Christian Honor Student Association, visited nursing home and food bank

- Awards: Math, Vocal Music, Spanish II, Advanced Chemistry, Bright Flight, National Merit Finalist and the UMR Excellence, UMR Alumni, UMR Curators, Physics Department, Women in Science and Engineering and Tailhook Education Foundation Scholarships

- Parents: Dean and Judith Mathews

Rachel Elizabeth Carbaugh, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla., major in business administration, possibly double major in education and work with parents' church or teach

- Senior activities: Yearbook and school newspaper editor, Christian Student Honor Association, volleyball and basketball teams, School Athletic Association, NHS

- Community activities: Christian Faith Fellowship youth ministry and The Rock outreach ministry

- Awards: Alumni and Academic Merit scholarships from ORU

- Parents: Pastors Mark and Deborah Carbaugh

Central High School, Cape Girardeau

Bonan Wang, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend the University of Florida and double major in psychology and international studies, then attend law school and eventually go into international law

- Senior activities: Scholar Bowl, French Club, NHS

- Awards: National Merit finalist, Horatio Alter Missouri Scholar, Missouri Top 100 Scholars

- Parents: Shaojun Wang and Yiseng Ren

Sonia Tikoo, salutatorian

- Plans: California Institute of Technology and double major in math and aerospace engineering, then go on to a Ph.D. program and a job in the space industry

- Senior activities: Scholar Bowl, NHS, BETA Club, school newspaper, Political Interest Group, Model U.N.

- Community activities: Volunteer at Southeast Missouri Hospital

- Awards: Missouri's Top 100 Scholars, President's Scholars semifinalist, National Chemistry Olympiad nominee, first place in VFW Speech Contest, published school's anthology, Central Light, grant from California Institute, National Merit Scholarship, Discover Card Tribute Award, Robert C. Byrd Scholarship

- Parents: Mohan and Jaikishuri Tikoo

Scott City High School

Jessi Glueck, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend the Southeast Missouri State University preveterinary program

- Senior activities: FBLA, Future Career and Community Leaders of America, NHS, Model U.N., Pep Club, Science Club, Gifted Choir, yearbook

- Community activities: Held game activities at Missouri Veterans Home

- Awards: Regent's Scholarship, Mark Coomer Memorial Award, Glory of Missouri Award, George Washington Carver Award

- Parents: Donna and Stephen Glueck

Kieran Heally, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend the Illinois Institute of Technology and major in architectural engineering

- Senior activities: VICA

- Awards: IIP Heald Scholarship, George Washington Carver Award, Honor Roll, College Preparatory Certificate, IIP Campus Grant

- Parents: Joanne and Kenneth Gurley and Gregory and Pauline Heally

Notre Dame Regional High School, Cape Girardeau

David Kiblinger, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend Truman State University and double major in math and physics

- Senior activities: Soccer, Scholar Bowl, spring musical, NHS president

- Awards: National Merit finalist, Missouri Top 100 Scholars, Pershings Scholarship

- Parents: Mark and Debbie Kiblinger

Steven Hendrix, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend Southeast Missouri State University, major in history and later become a college professor

- Senior activities: FBLA vice president, NHS, peer tutoring, coached seventh-grade basketball team

- Awards: Governor's Scholarship, Bright Flight, Robert C. Byrd Scholarship

- Parents: Candy and Larry Hendrix

Hannah Davis, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend the University of Missouri-Columbia, major in journalism, become a design editor

- Senior activities: Varsity cheerleader, varsity softball, Concert Choir, Select Choir, NHS, Peer Helper, yearbook co-editor, newspaper staff, Spirit Club, spring musical

- Community activities: Youth swim lessons, youth cheer coach, volunteer and choir director at St. Joseph Church

- Awards: Bright Flight; University of Missouri Curator's Scholarship; Cape Girardeau Kiwanis Club, Keith Anderson and Bethany VanDeven scholarships; Rochester Universities Humanities and Social Sciences Award; National English Merit Award; Elks January student of the month, Universal Cheerleader Association All-Star

- Parents: Tanya and Bill Davis Jr.

Saxony Lutheran High School, Cape Girardeau

Jonathan Burford, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend the premed program at Southeast Missouri State University, attend medical school and become a family physician

- Senior activities: Scholar Bowl, Latin Club

- Community activities: Youth Board, United Way

- Awards: President's Plus Scholarship, President's Award for Educational Excellence, American Legion Leadership Award, Camp Enterprise Scholarship, Principal's Leadership Award, College Preparatory certificate, Exchange Club Student of the Month Award

- Parents: Kathy Ebersole and Gary Burford

Benjamin Theiss, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend Southeast Missouri State University, major undecided

- Senior activities: Academic Team

- Awards: President's Plus Scholarship, College Preparatory certificate, Exchange Club Student of the Month Award, President's Award for Educational Excellence

- Parents: David and Maxine Theiss

Oak Ridge High School

Alicia Kellogg, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend the University of Missouri-Columbia and major in computer engineering

- Senior activities: FTA, SADD, NHS president, played saxophone in band

- Awards: Honorable mention in Missouri's top 100 scholars, Who's Who Among American High School Students, All-American Scholar Award, member of United States Achievement Academy

- Parents: Randy and Cindy Kellogg

Tyler Myers, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend Southeast Missouri State University, major undecided

- Senior activities: NHS, basketball, baseball, cross country

- Awards: President's Scholarship and A+ scholarship, National Scholar Athlete Award, Booster Club and Citizen Electric scholarships.

- Parents: Julious and Teresa Myers

Jackson High SchoolAshley Bartels, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend the University of Missouri medical school and become a pediatrician

- Senior activities: Varsity basketball, soccer, FBLA, NHS, Peer Tutoring, Junior Rotarians, Postponing Sexual Involvement group

- Awards: The Curator's, Alumni Association, Elyzabeth Shell, Prompts Care, FBLA Business Boosters, Bright Flight, Bank of Missouri Citizenship Award scholarships

- Parents: Randy and Sabrina BartelsKristin Smith, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend Middlebury College in Vermont and major in environmental science

- Senior activities: Sierra Club newsletter, Cape Municipal Pool

- Awards: Curator's Award, President's Scholarship

- Parents: Katherine Ellinger and David Kingsbury Smith

Delta High SchoolApril Helderman, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend the Southeast Missouri State University nursing program and become a nurse practitioner

- Senior activities: FFA vice president, played flute in band, softball, NHS, yearbook co-editor, FTA president

- Community activities: Church youth group, volunteered at church nursery

- Awards: Softball Hustle Award, Governor's and Bright Flight scholarships, John Philip Sousa Band Award, DAR good citizens award

- Parents: Carolyn and James (J.D.) HeldermanMatthew Henderson, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend University of Missouri, major in animal science and work in the field of agriculture

- Senior activities: FFA, FBLA, Pep Club, NHS, senior class treasurer

- Community activities: Apple Creek Cemetery and Church Association

- Awards: Gerald Jones, Elyzabeth Shell, College Guarantee, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Cargill and Mutual Insurance Company scholarships; Excellence Award

- Parents: Tom and Carol Henderson

Kelly High School, BentonJamie Welter, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend Southeast Missouri State University and major in graphic design

- Senior activities: Student Council, Family Community and Leadership Association, FBA, BETA Club, track

- Awards: Regent's Scholarship

- Parents: Paul and Sheryl WelterJanessa Burford, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend Southeast Missouri State University for two years and transfer to the University of Missouri-Rolla to major in computer engineering

- Senior activities: Cross country, BETA Club secretary, Student Council

- Community activities: Christian Youth Council

- Awards: Regent's and Bright Flight scholarships

- Parents: Lenny and Jane Burford

Chaffee High SchoolBret Whitaker, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., major in engineering and later work as an engineer

- Senior activities: Basketball, track

- Community activities: FBLA, Chaffee Friends of the Park

- Awards: Bordering state scholarship for out-of-state fees, Charles Goddard Scholarship, Mary Hopkins Scholarship, engineering scholarship from the University of Arkansas

- Parents: Karen and Steven WhitakerAmy Holmes, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend Southeast Missouri State University and major in nursing to eventually become a nurse anesthetist

- Senior activities: Cheerleader, Dance Team, basketball, track, tennis, FBLA, Student Council secretary, Varsity Club, BETA Club, French Club

- Community activities: Worked with the children at the Head Start

- Awards: Missouri Leadership Award; Carl Gumm Endowment; Beverly J. Christiansen, Chaffee Alumni Association, Thornton, Montgomery Bank, VFW Ladies Auxiliary of Chaffee, Chaffee Elks Lodge, DAEO-Chaffee Head Start scholarships.

- Parents: Kathy Holmes and Steve Holmes

Oran High SchoolJan Eftink, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend the University of Mississippi and major in accounting before going on to law school and practicing law

- Senior activities: Track, BETA Club, FBLA, FCCLA, Student Council, Drama Club, Art Club, Science Club

- Community activities: Church group and Catholic Youth Council

- Awards: NFA Foundation Scholarship; Oran Alumni Association Scholarship; Academic Excellence, Nonresident Academic, E.H. Patterson School of Accounting scholarships from the University of Mississippi

- Parents: John and Claret EftinkMatt Seyer, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend Southwest Missouri State University

- Senior activities: Member of basketball and baseball teams; BETA Club, Drama Club, Science Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Future Career and Community Leaders of America, student council and CYC church group.

- Awards: State BETA scholarship; Academic scholarship at Southwest Missouri State University; Regent's Scholarship at Southeast Missouri State University; Excellence award at University of Missouri-Columbia.

- Parents: Neal Seyer of Cape Girardeau and Tammy Seyer of Oran

Meadow Heights High School, PattonLynsie Creasman, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend Southeast Missouri State University, major undecided

- Senior activities: BETA Club historian

- Community activities: Active member of church and taught Bible school

- Awards: George Washington Carver Award, Air Force Math and Science Award, Marine Corps Excellence Award, Superintendent's Honor Roll, National Merit semifinalist, listed in "Who's Who Among American High School Students"

- Parents: Stacie and Tom Gills and James CreasmanBrittany Shoemake, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend Southeast Missouri State University, major in business, eventually get a job and start a family

- Senior activities: BETA Club, played the flute in the school band

- Awards: Trig, Computer Science, Speech Scholastic awards

- Parents: Elaine and Kevin Shoemake

Woodland High School, Marble HillMatt Upchurch, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend Murray State University in Kentucky, major in agriculture and either farm or get a job in the field of agriculture

- Senior activities: Baseball, FFA, BETA Club

- Community activities: Volunteered at the local food pantry and helped build the town pavilion

- Awards: Murray State Commonwealth Honor Academy, Mabel Garrett Pullen, National Pork Board, Lutesville Motor Company scholarships

- Parents: Steven and Marcie UpchurchJessie Rhodes, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend St. Louis College of Pharmacy, become a pharmacist and start a family

- Senior activities: FCCLA president, marching band drum major, the Drama Club, BETA Club

- Community activities: Mayfield Heritage Foundation, Girl Scouts, active church member

- Awards: Dean's and President's Plus Scholarship, Leadership Award

- Parents: Richard and LaWanda Rhodes

Leopold High SchoolLucas Horrell, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend Southeast Missouri State University and attend the two-year prepharmacy program before transferring to the University of Mississippi and getting a degree in pharmacy

- Senior activities: Senior class secretary, president of the Pep Club, Spirit Leader, Business Club, homecoming king, BETA Club secretary

- Community activities: Church group

- Awards: Governor's Scholarship, Army Reserve National Scholar/

Athlete, Glory of Missouri Award for Virtue, George Washington Carver Award, President's Educational Awards Program Certificate, Bright Flight Scholarship

- Parents: Pam and Dennis HorrellWendy Vandeven, salutatorian

- Plans: Southeast Missouri State University, major in nursing, become an OB nurse, return to Leopold and raise a family

- Senior activities: BETA Club, Pep Club, Glee Club, Business Club

- Community activities: Peer tutoring, church youth group, St. Jude's fund raisers, volunteer at blood drives, vacation Bible school instructor, summer church camp staff member

- Awards: "Who's Who Among American High School Students," National Honor Roll, All-American Scholar, Optimist Youth Appreciation Award, George Washington Carver Award, Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award, MASCO Scholarship, President's Plus Scholarship

- Parents: Gary and Kim Vandeven

Perryville High SchoolKatie McDaniel, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend Southeast Missouri State University, major in music, minor in theater

- Senior activities: Drama Club, PHS Academic Team, Chamber Choir

- Community activities: Church youth group, community theater

- Awards: President's Scholarship, First Act Community Theatre Scholarship, state finalist in Voice of Democracy essay contest

- Parents: John and Lesley McDanielMary Nations, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend Central Missouri State University and major in biology to become a veterinarian

- Senior activities: NHS, SADD, Foreign Language Club, Art Club, Scribe Society, SAFE smoke prevention group

- Community activities: Church band

- Awards: Top student in Varsity Band and Comp and Rhetoric; second in district, third in state for Voice of Democracy essay contest; A1 for clarinet solos at district, state; President's Scholarship; Leadership Award; Procter & Gamble, Elks Club, Perryville Optimist Club scholarships

- Parents: Clarence and Thelma Nations

St. Vincent High School, PerryvilleKaitlin Welker, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend honor college at Southwest Missouri State University, major in communication sciences and disorders, become a speech therapist

- Senior activities: School plays, Cheerleading Team co-captain, Speech and Debate captain, Drama Club treasurer, NHS, International Thespian Society

- Community activities: Muscular Dystrophy Association Camp, organized a Brownie day camp

- Awards: Girl Scout Gold Award, First in district and fifth in state for Reader's Theatre competition, Scholar Athlete, Girls State Nominee, Christian Service Award. Board of Governors, Best Buy Community Service, TG Missouri and Rotary Club scholarships

- Parents: Bob and Peggy WelkerAmanda Carron, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend Truman State University and majoring in graphic arts

- Senior activities: Soccer, basketball, softball, playing saxophone in band, NHS, homecoming queen, Sodality Club, Pep Club, Student Council

- Awards: Combined Ability and Girls State scholarships

- Parents: Steve and Melinda Carron

Advance High SchoolJoseph Moroni, valedictorian

- Plans: Attend Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., major in American studies, go to law school and hopefully join the Navy JAG Corps

- Senior activities: Track and cross country team leader, Junior Statesman of America president, Area 12 FFA vice president, pep band, played trumpet in band

- Community activities: Mass server at church

- Awards: ROTC and Knights of Columbus-Advance scholarships

- Parents: Michael and Sharon MoroniAaron Abernathy, salutatorian

- Plans: Attend Southeast Missouri State University, major in criminal justice, enter Air Force as commissioned officer

- Senior activities: Baseball, Pep Band co-captain, Student Council co-president, BETA Club

- Community activities: Church band

- Awards: Air Force ROTC Commander Leadership, President's and Missouri Leadership scholarships

- Parents: Kelly and Randy Abernathy