P.O. Box 1850 • Perry, GeorgiaP.O. Box 1850 • Perry, GeorgiaP.O. Box 1850 • Perry, GeorgiaP.O. Box 1850 • Perry, Georgia 31069310693106931069 ((((444477778888)))) 999988888888----6666222200000000 •••• FFFFaaaaxxxx ((((444477778888)))) 999988888888----6666222255559999

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Dr. Mark ScottDr. Mark ScottDr. Mark ScottDr. Mark Scott

Superintendent of Schools

Board MembersBoard MembersBoard MembersBoard Members Fred Wilson, Vice Chairman Dr. Marianne Melnick, Chairman Skip Dawkins

Helen Hughes Hoke Morrow

Dr. Rick Unruh Bryan Upshaw

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 25, 2015 (Release #2014/15 – 251)

Contact: Beth McLaughlin, Director of Community & School Affairs, 478-988-6390 ext. 0, Beth.McLaughlin@hcbe.net

Presenting Houston County’s 2015 Valedictorians & Salutatorians

HOUSTON COUNTY, GA – Houston County high schools have announced their valedictorian and salutatorian for the Classes of 2015. The top graduates are: • Houston County High - Valedictorian Ian James Clester, Salutatorian Michael Alexander

Nappier; • Northside High – Valedictorian Sara Magdeline Abdulla, Salutatorian William

Edward Crouch; • Perry High – Valedictorian Sagar Ghanshyam Patel, Salutatorian Eli Christian Guidry; • Veterans High - Valedictorian Kathryn Jo Kicklighter, Salutatorian Kylah Delease

Mason; and • Warner Robins High – Valedictorian Sarah Noel Wilcox, Salutatorian Nicholas

Enrique Leon. Commencement ceremonies will be May 22 and 23, 2015. All ceremonies will be held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry in the Miller-Murphy-Howard Building. Approximately 1,770 students will graduate. The graduation schedule and estimated number of graduates follows. • Houston County Career Academy, Friday, May 22, 6:00 p.m., about 32 graduates; • Veterans High School, Friday, May 22, 8:00 p.m., about 336 graduates; • Perry High School, Saturday, May 23, 9:00 a.m., about 263 graduates; • Houston County High School, Saturday, May 23, 12:00 p.m., about 400 graduates; • Northside High School, Saturday, May 23, 3:00 p.m., about 410 graduates; • Warner Robins High School, Saturday, May 23, 6:00 p.m., about 329 graduates. Brief biographies are provided for each valedictorian and salutatorian.

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P.O. Box 1850 • Perry, GeorgiaP.O. Box 1850 • Perry, GeorgiaP.O. Box 1850 • Perry, GeorgiaP.O. Box 1850 • Perry, Georgia 31069310693106931069 ((((444477778888)))) 999988888888----6666222200000000 •••• FFFFaaaaxxxx ((((444477778888)))) 999988888888----6666222255559999

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Presenting Houston County’s 2015 Valedictorians & Salutatorians

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Houston County High Valedictorian, Ian James Clester Ian Clester is a National Merit Finalist, an Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Distinction, and the Region VI STAR Student. He has also been recognized as one of 12 students globally to make a perfect score on the 2014 AP Computer Science exam. Ian currently serves as the Vice President of the Houston County Alliance Robotics Team and the HOCO Coding Club, as well as an active member of National Honor Society and Beta Club. He is also involved in the Church Lutheran Church youth group and maintains the church website as a member of the technology committee. Ian attended the Georgia Governor's Honors Program in 2013 as a Mathematics major and Science minor. He plans to major in computer science but has not yet decided which college to attend.

His parents are Brian and Candace Clester.

Houston County High Salutatorian, Michael Alexander Nappier Michael Nappier is currently a National Merit Finalist and AP Scholar with Honor. He has participated in the Houston County Track and Field and Cross Country teams for the last three years and is currently a captain for both. In addition, he is an active member in his school’s Math Team, Book Club, National Honors Society, Beta Club, Student Council, and Literary Magazine. Michael attended Georgia Governor’s Honors Program as a Mathematics Major over the last summer. He is also a recipient of the Georgia Certificate of Merit. Outside of school, he is an avid Disc Golf player and Amateur member of the PDGA. In addition, Michael plans to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology

after graduating from Houston County High School. He is the son of Adrienne Cramer and Serena Talkington, and C.J. Nappier and Martha Deller.

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Northside High Valedictorian, Sara Magdeline Abdulla Sara Abdulla is an AP Scholar of Distinction, Commended Student of National Merit, Georgia Merit Scholar and a STAR Student at Northside High. Sara has been a teacher, volunteer and organizer at Islamic Center of Middle Georgia since 2010. She also writes poetry and publications. She has participated in Track and Field, Cross Country, the Debate team and Beta Club. Sara plans to double major in Neuroscience and International Affairs. She is considering attending Emory, Georgia Tech or Georgia State. She would like to work in a nonprofit for human rights. Sara’s parents are Eman and Maher Abdulla.

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P.O. Box 1850 • Perry, GeorgiaP.O. Box 1850 • Perry, GeorgiaP.O. Box 1850 • Perry, GeorgiaP.O. Box 1850 • Perry, Georgia 31069310693106931069 ((((444477778888)))) 999988888888----6666222200000000 •••• FFFFaaaaxxxx ((((444477778888)))) 999988888888----6666222255559999

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Presenting Houston County’s 2015 Valedictorians & Salutatorians

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Northside High Salutatorian, William Edward Crouch William Crouch is an AP Scholar with Distinction who has a 4.0 GPA. He has served as Drum Major for the Northside High School Blue Wind Band for the last two years. William is a member of Thespian Troupe 2892, currently serving as Treasurer, of which he has been a member since freshman year, holding 4 Region and State One Act Titles. An International Honor Thespian, he has attended International Thespian Festival and is a two-year member of Georgia All State Theatre. William has also been involved in Literary, Beta Club, Math Club, Academic Bowl, Warner Robins Youth Leadership, and he retains varsity letters in dramatic arts, academics, golf and band. William is an Optimist Student of the Month, has received the

UGA Certificate of Merit, and is a member of the 2015 State Superintendent Student Advisory Council. William appeared on the Jeopardy! Teen Tournament in February 2013, finishing as a semifinalist. He plans on attending Carnegie Mellon University to study Chemistry and Biological Sciences, pursuing a career in Radiology. The son of Anita and Richard Crouch, he is also the eldest brother to Daniel and Jessica.

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Perry High Valedictorian, Sagar Ghanshyam Patel Sagar Patel has been involved in many Perry High School activities. He was a member of the 7-time region championship Cross Country team to include the 2013 State 4th place team. Sagar was awarded the “20 under 20” 21st Century award in 2012. He was also a 2012 Hugh O’Brien Leadership ambassador. Sagar has served as President of Beta Club, Vice-President of National Honor Society, and been very active in the Drama Department. He was the primary organizer for Angels for Angie, a 5K race to benefit a Perry High teacher with breast cancer, and Keys for a Cure, a 5K race, family festival, silent auction, and benefit concert to raise money and awareness for ALS. Sagar will attend Mercer and major in

Biomedical Engineering prior to studying Orthopedic Surgery and sports medicine. He is the son of Ghanshyam and Jign Patel.

Perry High Salutatorian, Eli Christian Guidry Eli Guidry is a 2015 nominee to become a United States President Scholar in the Arts, a 2015 National YoungArts Foundation national finalist in writing, 2014 Governor’s Honors Finalist, and a 2014 National Merit Commended Scholar. Eli's writing has received state, national, and international recognition. He has represented Perry High on the State Superintendent's Student Advisory Council, Perry Youth Leadership Program, National Honor Society, Beta Club, and student council. Eli has served our community as a volunteer at Houston Medical Center, altar server for Saint Patrick's Church,

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Presenting Houston County’s 2015 Valedictorians & Salutatorians

page 4 of 5 and by acting as a responsible beekeeper in the family business. In addition to beekeeping, Eli's hobbies include reading, writing, playing guitar, piano, banjo, and ukulele. Eli will pursue a Ph.D. and post-doctorate fellowship in genetics. He plans to publish both fiction and nonfiction. Eli is the son of Kim and Morrison Guidry and the brother of Phoebe Guidry.

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Veterans High Valedictorian, Kathryn Jo Kicklighter Katie Kicklighter is a National Merit Semifinalist and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor. Katie has served as Outreach Coordinator in Chemistry Club and Vice President of Administration of Venture Crew and is also actively involved in FFA, Beta Club and Girl Scouts. With Chemistry Club, she planned and executed science outreach events for upper-elementary aged children at a local library, and she has enjoyed volunteering her time to numerous organizations through Beta Club. As a member of FFA, she competed in horse judging and livestock judging, advancing to state for livestock judging. She earned the Girl Scout Silver Award and dedicated time toward organizing and leading a weekend event for younger scouts to teach the basics of camping

and leadership. She is a recipient of the University of Georgia Certificate of Merit. Katie attended the Georgia Governor’s Honors Programs a Chemistry Major and Math Minor. Katie plans to pursue a Chemical Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her parents are Dennis and Mary Kicklighter.

Veterans High Salutatorian, Kylah Delease Mason Kylah Mason played Junior Varsity softball for the Lady Warhawks in her freshmen and sophomore years of high school, and she continues to play travel softball. She is also a two-year member of the Veterans High School Wind Symphony, but has played in the band all four years of high school. She is an active member of the Veterans High School Beta Club chapter, the VHS Yearbook Staff, a Collaborator in the Warhawk Workshop Writing Center, and tutors a student in Mathematics. She was nominated for the Governor’s Honors Program in Mathematics, was a recipient of the University of Georgia Certificate of Merit, and a finalist for the National Achievement Scholarship. She is going to attend Kennesaw State

University next fall, and, though undecided, she plans to pursue a career in Liberal Arts. Kylah is the daughter of Rodney and Donna Mason and the twin sister of Kaylah Mason.

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Presenting Houston County’s 2015 Valedictorians & Salutatorians

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Warner Robins High Valedictorian, Sarah Noel Wilcox Sarah Wilcox is an active member of her school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) chapter, four-year class officer and multiple varsity letter winner in swimming and cross country. Sarah is also an active member of her local church and in summer 2013 travelled to Thailand on a Christian mission trip. She regularly volunteers for Camp Wings, an annual three-day bereavement camp, teaches vacation Bible school and mentors middle school students. Sarah is an AP Scholar with Distinction, Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program alumnus, FCA Female Athlete of the Year (2013), and she was selected to attend both the Naval Academy summer seminar and Flint Energy’s Washington Youth Leadership tour. After high school, Sarah

intends to double major in International Affairs and Chinese and hopes to someday work and spread the gospel in China. Sarah is the daughter of Jeff and Maureen Wilcox and sister of Nick Wilcox.

Warner Robins High Salutatorian, Nicholas Enrique Leon Nicholas León is in the Honors Program at Warner Robins High School in addition to taking nine Advanced Placement courses. Nicholas has been a member of the Warner Robins High School Tennis Team and the National Beta Club for the entirety of his high school career. He is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, a recipient of the University of Georgia Certificate of Merit and a Golden Eagle nominee. He enjoys volunteering at various organizations and events, including the Georgia Republican Party, the Georgia National Fair and at C.B. Watson Primary School. Nicholas plans to pursue a Chemical Engineering degree after graduation, but has not yet decided which college to attend.

Nicholas is the son of Enrique and Jean Finison León and the brother of Margaret, Benjamin and Laurence.

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