Dr. Vivian Baker, superintendent of the Belton schools, will give her charge of inspirational remarks to the seniors.
Following will be a discourse by Trenton Bell, senior class president.
Valedictorian Nicholas Shelburne and salutatorian Samantha Allen will each address the class with a prepared speech on a theme and message of their choosing.
Shelburne, who is the oldest of seven children of Audell and Theresa Shelburne of Belton, said he plans to attend Duke University to pursue a science-related discipline. He said he is leaning toward biology, but is keeping his options open and could go with physics, pre-med or teaching on a university level.
Since childhood he has been fascinated in figuring out how things work, he said.
“I’ve always been interested in research,” Shelburne said. “I want to do something that will help change the world - something that matters now.”
He said he had a lot of great teachers at Belton High, but was inspired most by Ed Braeuer who taught him physics.
“He could always explain things that are difficult in a way that was interesting and so everybody could get it. He showed he really cared about us.”
Shelburne, who stands 6–feet–2–inches tall, said his passion is athletics. He played varsity basketball his junior and senior years, and varsity baseball his sophomore through senior years.
He was a heavily involved in University Interscholastic League academics competition - mostly in math and science. He won third place in science in district competition and advanced to regional. Shelburne is a member of the National Honor Society.
He graduated at the top of his class with a grade point average of 5.3571.
Miss Allen was close behind him with a grade point average of 5.3250. She is the daughter of Steve and Renee Allen of Belton.
She said she plans to attend Baylor University entering under the University Scholars Program. Baylor considers the curriculum its most selective undergraduate program. According to Baylor’s admissions office it’s designed for intellectually gifted and motivated students.
Her goal is medicine with reconstructive plastic surgery as her specialty.
“I’m inspired to help people suffering some disfigurement by using my hands and skills to help them live a normal life,” she said.
Miss Allen said that during her formative years she saw people in public places that were disfigured by burns or accidents. She watched the public service commercials on television about babies born in Third World countries with cleft palettes. She wanted to help.
“I’m not into being an extreme makeover plastic surgeon and that kind of stuff,” she said laughing softly.
Her favorite activity at Belton High was singing with the Madrigals choir, she said.
“I’ve taken piano since the second grade and play keyboard at Immanual Baptist Church in Temple.”
Her greatest inspiration at Belton High was her English teacher, Jan Doke.
“She was not only a teacher, but a role model and amazing Christian woman,” Miss Allen said.
“She encouraged me by writing notes on my assignments that showed she cared for me. I really appreciated that. She’s the kind of person I want to be when I grow older.”
Both Shelburne and Miss Allen said they felt humbled at ranking first and second in their class.
“I feel blessed to have gotten this far,” said Miss Allen. “Others deserved as much.”
Shelburne said in the top 10 there were so many others who could have been valedictorian or salutatorian.
“Just one test or one additional advanced placement class could mean the difference,” he said.
The top 10 honor students are Shelburne, Miss Allen, Justin Alfeche, Seth Groveunder, Elizabeth Barkley, Rachel Kimbrough, Elizabeth Fullerton, Whitney Voss, Konnie Gillis and Patrick Williams.
Graduating summa cum laude are Justin Alfeche, James Paruzinski, Samantha Allen, Alyse Ritchie, Elizabeth Barkley, Nicholas Shelburne, Elizabeth Fullerton, Jamie Smith, Konnie Gillis, Samantha Tippen, Seth Groveunder, Whitney Voss, Rachel Kimbrough, Patrick Williams and Katherine Kraemer.
Graduating magna cum laude are Jason Anderson, Christopher Kiella, Maeli Anderson, Briane Laruy, Ashley Austin, Megan Lillibridge, Bernadette Baker, John Moen, Charles Bates, Jose Morales, Raven Bodkin, Leah Osborne, Paul Boston, Katlyn Richards, Elizabeth Cook, Sara Sebti, Catherine Curry, Cortney Snyder, Esteban Desantiago, Tiffany Stapper, Dana Durham, Brian Tetzlaff, James Huddleston,
Graduating cum laude are Kristina Beevers, Katy Poulter, Trenton Bell, Abigail Rutland, Meredith Carpenter, Hailee Shuttlesworth, Alyssa Conti, Emily Sievers, Sarah Curylo, Kaci Skaggs, Edgar Del Real, Sean Slayton, Kristen Elkins , Laura Stauss, Madeline Elrod, Alyssa Sultemeier, Jamie Hallum, Jessica Tanner, Kelli Kimmey, Zackary Velo, Robert Walter Atmar, Griffin Verheyden, Thomas Pare, Kirsten Wightman, Blake Pavel, Brian Yarley, Libby Pinkert, Kalee Young,
Graduating with honors are Ashley Brockman, Nicole Kyler, Jessica Deason, William Ligon, Vandon Donahue, Ciara Long, Ashley Emrick, Allison Matous, Joshua Hildinger, Samantha Solliday, Kristina Hodges, Stephanie Spurlock, Audrey Houston, Kessler Tormey, Michael Jarratt, Christopher Van Slyke, Amanda Johnson and Hayley Woytek.
hclark@temple-telegram.com
