Gaston County Schools' 28 valedictorians and salutatorians in 2022

Gaston County Schools has 28 students in the Class of 2022 who have achieved the top academic distinction of valedictorian or salutatorian.

The senior with the highest weighted grade point average (GPA) is selected valedictorian, and the senior with the second-highest weighted GPA is chosen salutatorian.

“We are proud to recognize and honor 28 outstanding seniors in the Class of 2022 as our valedictorians and salutatorians for Gaston County Schools,” Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Booker said.  “The students have maintained an impressive academic record during their high school career.  They also have been excellent leaders at school and in the community.  We are confident that our high-achieving valedictorians and salutatorians will continue to be successful in everything they choose to do.”

Listed below are the valedictorians and salutatorians for Gaston County Schools and biography information for each student.

Ashbrook High School

Valedictorian:  Cooper York

College Plans:  Hampden-Sydney College to major in business economics and engineering physics.

Accolades:  National Honor Society; earned an associate in science degree from Gaston College; member of the baseball, golf, and wrestling teams; student council - senior class senator; student ambassador.

Salutatorian:  Hope Inman

College Plans:  Appalachian State University to major in communication and minor in sociology; plans to pursue a career in international communication.

Accolades:  National Honor Society; National Technical Honor Society; involved in various school volunteer/fundraising projects; will earn an associate in arts degree from Gaston College this summer.

Bessemer City High School

Valedictorian:  Hannah Marie Varadi

College Plans:  UNC-Chapel Hill to major in mathematics.

Accolades:  Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award; president of the National Honor Society; completed the Associate of Science pathway in the College Now program; Gaston College Honors List; Hortense L. McClinton University Scholarship.

Salutatorian:  Joshua Luke Hogan

College Plans:  Wingate University to major in biology; plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career as a pharmacist. 

Accolades:  National Honor Society; National Technical Honor Society; Beta Club; Gaston County Schools/Gaston Gazette Star Student; earned CNA (certified nursing assistant); Wingate University Scholarship valued at $32,000.

Cherryville High School

Valedictorian:  Jackson Lee Owens

College Plans:  Lenoir-Rhyne University to major in pre-medicine and participate in track and field; plans to pursue a career as a pediatrician.

Accolades:  Gaston County Schools/Gaston Gazette Star Student; Dwight H. Harrelson Memorial Scholarship; National Honor Society; track and field state championship; Gaston County track and field MVP; chief junior marshal.

Salutatorian:  Rylee Grace Makayla Burgis

College Plans:  UNC Chapel Hill to major in biology; plans to pursue a career in dentistry.

Accolades:  Albert G. Myers Scholarship; National Honor Society; National Technical Honor Society; state champion cheerleader; state qualifier in track and field.

Stuart W. Cramer High School

Valedictorian:  Colin Mitchell Brockman

College Plans:  UNC Chapel Hill to major in computer science.

Accolades:  Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship; President’s List, Dean’s List, and Honors List at Gaston College.

Salutatorian:  Gwen Alexandra Campau

College Plans:  UNC Charlotte to major in computer science.

Accolades:  Received various scholarships from the UNC Charlotte Honors Program; earned an associate in science degree from Gaston College.

East Gaston High School

Valedictorian:  Allie Elizabeth Grice

College Plans:  UNC Charlotte to major in civil engineering.

Accolades:  UNC Charlotte Levine Scholarship; Gaston County Schools/Gaston Gazette Star Student; Female Scholastic Athlete of the Year Award; Co-Female Athlete of the Year Award; standout athlete in volleyball, basketball, and tennis.

Salutatorian:  Bryson Elliott Jones

College Plans:  N.C. State University to major in civil and environmental engineering.

Accolades:  Ferguson Company Scholarship; Real Life Baptist Church Scholarship; Mount Holly Masonic Lodge Scholarship; standout athlete in swimming, soccer, track and field, and tennis; captain of the swimming, soccer, and tennis teams; East Gaston executive council - student body president; Eagle Scout Troop #59.

Forestview High School

Valedictorian:  William Eugene Barnes

College Plans:  University of South Carolina (Honors College) to major in biochemistry and molecular biology; plans to pursue a career as a surgeon in orthopedic oncology.

Accolades:  Academic Scholar Superlative Award; Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Distinction; Academic Achievement in AP Research and AP Environmental Science; AP Capstone/Collegiate Prep Academy; tennis team captain.

Salutatorian:  Samantha Elizabeth Bolton

College Plans:  Georgia Institute of Technology to major in mechanical engineering; plans to pursue a career as a consulting engineer for sustainable energy systems.

Accolades:  Outstanding Scholar Award; Athlete of the Year Award; Georgia Tech Provost Scholarship; student body president; captain of the volleyball and basketball teams.

Gaston County Virtual Academy

Valedictorian:  Roy Joe Wang

College Plans:  N.C. State University to major in computer engineering.

Accolades:  Recognition for commendable leadership; first valedictorian for the Gaston County Virtual Academy.

Salutatorian:  Kortney Brennin Hawkins

College Plans:  Gaston College to pursue a degree in pediatric nursing.

Accolades: Gaston County Schools/Gaston Gazette Star Student; first salutatorian for the Gaston County Virtual Academy; recognized for dedication to the Gaston County Virtual Academy’s high school initiatives.

Gaston Early College High School

Co-Valedictorian:  Sydney Best

College Plans:  Vanderbilt University to major in chemistry; plans to pursue a career in the medical field.

Accolades: Gaston College President’s Award for Excellence; Vanderbilt University Opportunity Scholarship; earned an associate in science degree from Gaston College and graduated with high honors.

Co-Valedictorian:  Lexie Pelusio

College Plans:  N.C. State University to major in animal science; plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

Accolades: N.C. State University Pack Promise Scholarship valued at $25,000 per year; Gaston College President’s Award for Excellence; earned an associate in science degree from Gaston College and graduated with high honors.

Co-Valedictorian:  Emily Rollins

College Plans:  UNC Chapel Hill to major in political science with a minor in social and economic justice; plans to pursue a career as a civil rights attorney.

Accolades: Vice president of Gaston College Student Government Association; Albert G. Myers Scholarship; Finer Womanhood Scholarship; earned an associate in science degree from Gaston College and graduated with high honors.

Co-Salutatorian:  Odell Escorcia Puente

College Plans:  UNC Chapel Hill to major in biology and environmental sciences with a focus on ecology and evolution; plans to pursue a career in the ecology field with an emphasis on research related the human impact on local river ecosystems.

Accolades:  UNC Chapel Hill Covenant Scholarship; earned an associate in science degree from Gaston College and graduated with high honors; internship with the Catawba Riverkeeper organization.

Co-Salutatorian:  Tatiana Gano

College Plans:  UNC Chapel Hill to major in studio art; plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career as an art professor.

Accolades:  UNC Chapel Hill Covenant Scholarship; earned an associate in arts degree from Gaston College and graduated with high honors; awarded more than $400,000 in college scholarships; had artwork on display at Gaston College.

Co-Salutatorian:  Andy Martinez

Future Plans:  Work in the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) field with GSM Services; would like to eventually own an HVAC business.

Accolades:  Earned an associate in science degree from Gaston College and graduated with high honors.

Highland School of Technology

Valedictorian:  John Asher Theodore Neumann

College Plans:  N.C. State University to major in mechanical engineering; plans to pursue a career in the automotive engineering field.

Accolades:  State champion in 200 meters swimming; Eagle Scout; three-time swimming team captain; Beta Club officer; Gaston College President’s List.

Salutatorian:  Nicholas Nguyen

College Plans:  UNC Chapel Hill to major in environmental health sciences; plans to pursue a career in biomedical engineering or the medical field.

Accolades:  Member of student council; international cultures club, earth club, and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA); co-chief junior marshal; National Technical Honor Society; Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar Award; first place medallion in the North Carolina FBLA competition - computer applications category.

Hunter Huss High School

Valedictorian:  Amy Hernandez-Gutierrez

College Plans:  Appalachian State University to major in sustainable development and minor in economics.

Accolades:  U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award; student body president; homecoming court maid of honor; Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council; N.C. Governor’s School.

Salutatorian:  Allison Kimmel

College Plans:  UNC Chapel Hill to major in biology.

Accolades:  Gaston County Schools/Gaston Gazette Star Student; Duke Energy Scholars Scholarship; United Women of America Scholarship; Big South 3A Conference Swimmer of the Year for all four years of high school; U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award.

North Gaston High School

Valedictorian:  Maria Cheyanne Morales

College Plans:  UNC Chapel Hill to major in biomedical engineering (in a partnership program with N.C. State University); plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a geneticist.

Accolades:  National Honor Society; Beta Club; member of the tennis team, teen action council, Envirothon club, and Science Olympiad; earned an associate degree and certificate in biotechnology from Gaston College and graduated with high honors; received a full-tuition scholarship to attend UNC-Chapel Hill.

Salutatorian:  Hannah Brooke Isenhour

College Plans:  UNC Chapel Hill to major in biology; plans to pursue a career as a physician assistant.

Accolades:  Student body vice president; dance team captain; earned CNA (certified nursing assistant); will complete requirements for an associate degree this summer; Dr. Will Medical Scholarship.

South Point High School

Valedictorian: Caroline Greer Beaty

College Plans:  Clemson University to major in architecture; plans to pursue a career as an architect focusing on interior architecture.

Accolades:  Gaston County Schools/Gaston Gazette Star Student; Tennis MVP Award; Tom Browne Scholarship; Lester Carpenter Scholarship; American Airlines Educational Foundation Scholarship; Clemson Out-of-State Tuition Scholarship.

Salutatorian:  Tala Ayman Musa Eid

College Plans:  UNC Charlotte with plans to transfer to the biomedical engineering program at UNC Chapel Hill and N.C. State University; plans to pursue a career in the research and development of prosthetic devices, various artificial tissues and organs, and new drug therapies.

Accolades:  Junior Marshal; Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award; National Honor Society; Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Distinction; UNC-Charlotte Chancellor’s Scholarship; Islamic Society of Gastonia Arabic Teacher.

You can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-201-7016 or email him at kellis@gastongazette.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gaston County Schools' 28 valedictorians and salutatorians in 2022