Overbay Is Valedictorian At East Lincoln High

DENVER––As the late Tina Turner might have said, she is “simply the best.”

She is Ginny Overbay, and she’s the valedictorian for the class of 2023 at East Lincoln High School. The daughter of Adam and Amy Overbay and the elder sister of Daniel Overbay, this remarkable grad recently told us more about herself.

Come August, Miss Overbay will be off to North Carolina State University in Raleigh. There, she plans to major in applied mathematics.

She talked about some of her most cherished memories at East Lincoln. They include:

“Being part of both the basketball and soccer teams and winning conference championships with both teams. I have also enjoyed watching football games, especially homecoming nights. My favorite memories have all revolved around spending time with my classmates, whether that be during the senior slip-and-slide, group projects or volunteering together for different clubs.”

Overbay also spoke of her favorite teachers at ELHS. They included the math-teaching husband-and-wife team of Jason and Sarah Dragoon, their fellow math teacher, Tina Robinson, English teachers Courtney Murdock and Christina McClain and guidance counsellor Michelle Keefer.

Overbay much enjoyed her time in varsity basketball and soccer; as president of both the student government and National Honor Society; and her membership in the Beta, Key and Interact clubs and the math and science honor societies. She was also a leader of the school’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Overbay would like to one day pursue a career with the FBI. A decade hence, she sees herself:

“Working in a city for the FBI as a special agent or as an intelligence analyst.”

What advice does she offer the class of ’23?

“My mom has always told me that comparison is the thief of joy,” she said. “I would like to tell people to focus on their own journeys, because everyone’s path is different, and everyone’s goals are different. Trust the process. Always remember to seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly.

“I am extremely honored to be the valedictorian,” she added. “However, I know that things would be much different without my family and everyone in my life who has pushed and supported me along the way. I want to thank my family, my teachers, my friends and everyone who has acted as a mentor to me. I will remember my time at East, and I am forever grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way. Go, Ponies!”

ELHS Principal Marybeth Avery extolled both Overbay and her friend, Adam Zirkle (son of ELHS math teacher Shawn Zirkle and this year’s salutatorian) as exemplary students.

“Ginny and Adam are motivated, salt-of-the-earth children, who will move forward into their next steps with grit and grace,” said Avery. “Both are committed to higher education following graduation. It is without a doubt that each one will be successful and genuinely amazing people all of their respective lives. Their humble natures and helpful hearts for others will always be an asset in their futures.

“We are proud of all of our graduates,” she added, “and we look forward to all the good they will continue to add to our community as productive and contributing adults. Once a Mustang, always a Mustang!”