GC Seniors Earn Top Academic, Perfect Attendance Distinction

GASTONIA, N.C. – Gaston County Schools has 22 students in the Class of 2020 who have achieved the top academic distinction of valedictorian or salutatorian. Additionally, one senior in the Class of 2020 has earned the distinction of 13 years of perfect attendance.

Valedictorian and Salutatorian Information
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 22 seniors in the Class of 2020 as our valedictorians and salutatorians,” said Superintendent of Schools W. Jeffrey Booker. “These outstanding students have maintained an impressive academic record during their educational career in addition to being excellent leaders and role models at school and in our community. We are confident that these high-achieving students will continue to be successful in everything they choose to do.”

Listed below are the valedictorians and salutatorians for the 11 high schools and biography information for each student.

ASHBROOK HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian: David Buckner

• College Plans: UNC-Charlotte to major in public health and health systems management; plans to pursue a career as an obstetrician and gynecologist.
• Accolades: UNC-Charlotte Levine Scholar; Commissioners School of Excellence; Summer Ventures; junior marshal; completed the Gaston College Associate of Science degree with 61 college credit hours.

Salutatorian: Elaina James

• College Plans: UNC-Chapel Hill to major in pre-law and/or journalism; plans to pursue a career in civil and human rights law.
• Accolades: Concert choir for four years; served as freshman, sophomore, and junior class president and National Honor Society president; member of volleyball team; chief junior marshal; completed 21 college credit hours through the Career and College Promise program at Gaston College.

BESSEMER CITY HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian: Kyerstin Morgan Ashay Cooper

• College Plans: UNC-Charlotte to major in nursing; plans to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist.
• Accolades: Gaston Gazette Best and Brightest; chief junior marshal; highest average in pre-calculus honors; Commissioners School of Excellence; Yellow Jacket Coaches Award.

Salutatorian: Savannah Reese LaCount

• College Plans: Cleveland Community College to major in nursing; plans to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner.
• Accolades: Softball scholarship from Cleveland Community College; Bessemer City High School Class of 1969 Scholarship; Gaston Gazette Star Student; highest average in Advanced Placement (AP) biology and AP United States history.

CHERRYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian: Avery Grace Walker

• College Plans: UNC-Chapel Hill to major in nursing; plans to pursue a career in pediatric or geriatric nursing.
• Accolades: Gaston Gazette Star Student and Best and Brightest; State Employees Credit Union Scholarship; numerous outstanding subject awards at Cherryville High School.

Salutatorian: Juliana Leigh Vollmer

• College Plans: University of Pennsylvania to major in biochemistry and biophysics; plans to attend medical school to obtain an M.D. and Ph.D. in pathology and work with the Doctors Without Borders program.
• Accolades: University of Pennsylvania and Wake Forest University merit scholarships; 2018 National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists Award; nominated for the Academies at Harvard; numerous outstanding subject awards at Cherryville High School.