Kentridge’s Top 10 scholars ready to lead

The Kentridge High School Class of 2009 contains a whopping 10 students with a 4.0 grade point average, all of whom will share the title of valedictorian at graduation June 13. The ceremony starts 7:30 p.m. at the ShoWare Center in Kent.

The following students have been named valedictorian for the Kentridge Class of 2009:

Henry Artz

Henry Artz, 18, will be attending the University of Washington in the fall to study computer engineering. While at KR, his favorite subjects were math and physics and Artz said teacher Beth Michaels’ physics classes had a big influence on him.

“She was a great teacher and had so much love for physics and teaching,” he said.

As for advice for next year’s seniors, Artz warned “Don’t slack off during your senior year. Finish that culminating project!”

Enrikson Eugenio

Enrikson Eugenio, 18, is a member of the KR National Honor Society, Key Club president, Multicultural Club, Link Crew and band. He also played on the KR tennis team.

Eugenio is headed to Stanford University in the fall to study mathematics, his favorite subject along with college English. Eugenio also said math teacher Marguerite Taimi was his favorite because she pushed him as a math student and taught him the importance of hard work.

Asked about his heroes, Eugenio cited his parents, for their support and influence, as well as a world-famous scholar.

“Andrew Wiles, the mathematician, provided me with inspiration to pursue mathematics and to work hard,” he said.

Karalea Follmer

Karalea Follmer, 18, is a member of girls track and basketball teams and will attend Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, in the fall.

Follmer said her favorite subjects were weightlifting and math and her highlights from high school were “late arrival days,” finishing her culminating project and winning the Morrey Brown Athlete of Great Character award.

So what’s her advice for the class of 2010?

“Try your best,” she said, adding, “Try the chicken-fried steak and mashed potatoes and gravy school lunch. Just try everything.”

Emily Hsieh

Emily Hsieh, 18, is the Key Club secretary, the Japan Club treasurer, a mathlete, tennis player and a member of the National Honor Society.

Her favorite subject is calculus, and she will attending the University of Washington to study biology.

Her favorite memories of high school include playing tennis, study nights for Advance Placement U.S. history and the prom.

Hsieh said her favorite teacher was math teacher Michelle Hughes, and she encourages next year’s class to “keep working hard.”

Michelle Lane

Michelle Lane, 17, will be attending the University of San Diego to study marketing, her favorite subject.

Lane is a member of DECA, fastpitch, volleyball, National Honor Society, Link Crew, Learning Improvement team and the Associated Student Body.

Her favorite memories of high school are the pep assemblies and the state basketball games at the Tacoma Dome.

She also said marketing teacher Deborah Roberts was her favorite because she helped Lane discover what she wants to do with her future. Lane encouraged next year’s class to get involved and to try new things.

Her parents are her heroes.

“They’ve taught me everything and showed me how to work and succeed,” she said.

Courtney Lewis

Courtney Lewis, 18, said the highlights of her high-school career were going to districts with the volleyball team, the music trip to Victoria, British Columbia, and the dances, especially the prom. Lewis said her favorite subject was math and her favorite teacher was Taimi, who was always supportive and shared her love of the subject.

Lewis said her parents were her heroes and encouraged next year’s class to do their best.

“But don’t forget to have fun,” she said, “and appreciate high school while it lasts.”

Lewis will attend Washington State University Honors College in Pullman in the fall to study nursing.

Jason Lyou

Jason Lyou, 18, said while he enjoyed every subject, his favorite was probably U.S. history and he named the Jeopardy games in teacher Chis Howard’s class as one of his favorite activities. He also cited Howard as a favorite teacher, along with English teacher Hilari Anderson.

This fall, Lyou will be pre-med at either the University of Washington or the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he is on the wait list.

Lyou said his mother is his hero because “she’s a terribly powerful inspiration” and offered the following advice to next year’s class:

“Aim high while having fun.”

Carly Schnoebelen

Carly Schnoebelen, 17, said her favorite memory of high school was going to New York with the KR choir.

Along with choir, Schnoebelen also was a member of drama and the tennis team. She cited the prom as a highlight.

Schnoebelen said her favorite instructor was math teacher Michelle Hughes, and added that math is her favorite subject.

This fall, Schnoebelen will be attending the University of Arizona Honors College in Tucson, where she plans to study ecology and evolutionary biology.

Valerie Walker

Valerie Walker, 18, was the treasurer of Key Club and a member of the National Honor Society. She also is a Girl Scout.

Walker also was crowned prom queen, her favorite memory from high school.

Walker’s favorite subject is history and this fall she will attending Occidental College in Los Angeles, where she plans to major in diplomacy and world affairs or politics.

Walker said the highlight of her high school career was the music trip to Disneyland during her junior year where the band won the Heritage Festival grand prize.

“I will miss all the wonderful people, students, teachers, janitors, lunch ladies and their smiles,” she said, adding that next year’s class should “Dream big!”

Sam Wallen

Sam Wallen, 18, was a member of band and jazz band and won three soloist awards during his high school career.

Wallen said the band trips were the highlights of his time at KR and cited band director David Baldock as his favorite teacher.

Wallen will be attending the University of Washington this fall to study mechanical engineering.

Asked for advice for the Class of 2010, Wallen said, “Be good to your teachers – they will make your life easier of you do the same for them.”