The Cherokee County School District and School Board celebrated the Class of 2024 Valedictorians and Salutatorians at its 24th Annual Scholar Recognition Banquet.

The special event on Wednesday evening was attended by the Scholars and their parents; the teacher each Scholar chose as the most influential in his or her education; CCSD’s high school Principals; Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis and her senior staff; and the School Board.

The students and teachers each shared a brief speech.  Each student received an iPad, $50 gift card and plaque, and each teacher received a plaque and $100 gift card. 

The dinner and gifts were made possible by donations from Presenting Sponsors, LGE Community Credit Union and the Cherokee County Educational Foundation; and Silver Sponsor, Center Cut Catering.  LGE additionally presented each student with an iPad cover and each teacher with a journaling set.  

Cherokee County School District’s Class of 2024 Valedictorians and Salutatorians: from left, front row, i-Grad Virtual Academy Salutatorian Chloe Brezinski and Valedictorian S. Raines, Creekview HS Salutatorian Laura Hand and Valedictorian Kinley Sikes, Etowah HS Salutatorian Bella Postel and Valedictorian Cristina Garcia, River Ridge HS Salutatorian Addy Musser, Sequoyah HS Salutatorian Zach Howell; back row, Cherokee HS Valedictorian Sarah Grace Pfanstiel, Sequoyah HS Valedictorian Anna Louise Panhorst, Woodstock HS Valedictorian Xavier Olsen, River Ridge HS Valedictorian Caleb Lewis, Cherokee HS Salutatorian Caleb Christian and Woodstock HS Salutatorian Vivian Lawrence.

Cherokee HS
Valedictorian Sarah Grace Pfanstiel          
College and career plans: Georgia Tech to study industrial engineering and law, science and technology, with plans to additionally earn a master of science or law degree and pursue a career in innovating to help others.
From Honored Teacher Eric Jones’s remarks: “While she is competitive, she is also humble, graceful and kind.  It’s been an honor getting to be a small part of your journey.”

Salutatorian Caleb Christian
College and career plans: University of Georgia to earn a “Double Dawg” ecology bachelor’s degree and integrative conservation and sustainability master’s degree and pursue a career in related work for an agency such as the Department of Natural Resources.
From Honored Teacher Wesley Queen’s remarks: “He approaches rock climbing like everything he does … undaunted and unintimidated by the challenges that he faces, and that’s admirable.”

Creekview HS
Valedictorian Kinley Sikes   
College and career plans: University of Georgia to study biology and Spanish and pursue a career in the medical field.
From Honored Teacher Begoña Stone’s remarks: “She is a remarkable leader who always expects the best of herself.  She wants to make the world a better place.”

Salutatorian Laura Hand      
College and career plans: Duke University to study biology on a pre-med track and pursue a career as an orthopedic surgeon with a franchised practice in underserved areas.
From Honored Teacher Josh Link’s remarks: “Your compassion – that’s who you are … as a father of young daughters, I hope one day they care about others as you do.”

Etowah HS
Valedictorian Cristina Garcia
College and career plans: Yale University to study molecular biology and biomedical engineering and pursue a career in genetics research medicine with an agency such as the National Institutes of Health.
From Honored Teacher Johana Keever’s remarks: “She has made such an incredible difference for our entire student body.  Everything she does, she does 110%.”

Salutatorian Bella Postel
College and career plans: Princeton University to study public and international affairs and pursue a career in government or pre-law.
From Honored Teacher Margo Kemmerer’s remarks: “How incredibly kind and compassionate you are – that’s something to be admired and something I wish the world had more of.  Your light and love of learning shine brightly from the inside out.”

i-Grad Virtual Academy
Valedictorian S. Raines
College and career plans: Emerson University to study media arts production and pursue a career in writing for TV and film.
From Honored Teacher Hannah Mitchell’s remarks: “Driven, dedicated, clever and kind … you made a positive impact on everyone – students and teachers.”

Salutatorian Chloe Brezinski           
College and career plans: Kennesaw State University to study education and pursue a career as a middle school teacher of history or literature.
From Honored Teacher Heather Craighead’s remarks: “She knew she could do it.  We see a journey of hard work.  She is the epitome of perseverance.”

River Ridge HS
Valedictorian Caleb Lewis
College and career plans: Dartmouth College to study economics and pursue a career in management consulting.
From Honored Teacher Tracye Bulger’s remarks: “Do not lose your wonder.  Do not lose your passion.  Do not lose your humanity.”

Salutatorian Addy Musser
College and career plans: Georgia Tech to study computer science and mathematics with plans to study abroad.
From Honored Teacher Phil Money’s remarks: “She made my job incredibly easy.  She is the most humble and modest person I’ve seen in a long time.”
         
Sequoyah HS 
Valedictorian Anna Louise Panhorst         
College and career plans: Furman University to study biology and pre-med with plans to earn a medical degree and pursue a career in the medical field.
From Honored Teacher Megan Curtis’s remarks: “I have yet to meet anyone, teacher or student, who doesn’t light up at the mention of Anna Louise.  She is the kindest and smartest person in the room.”

Salutatorian Zach Howell
College and career plans: Georgia Tech to study computer science.
From Honored Teacher Andrew Oberlies’s remarks: “He was a blessing to have in class.  He did the studying when he needed to do the studying, but he enjoyed life.”
          
Woodstock HS
Valedictorian Xavier Olsen 
College and career plans: Princeton University to study ecology and evolutionary biology.
From Honored Teacher Kellie Baglio’s remarks: “Xavier amazed me with his patience and carefulness.  He gave Latin careful appreciation, which I really appreciated as his teacher.”

Salutatorian Vivian Lawrence
College and career plans: University of Georgia to study business and pursue a career in business.
From Honored Teacher Kate McIntyre’s remarks: “I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to build a relationship with her.  She is an honest and authentic person.”

Cherokee County School District’s Class of 2024 Outstanding Teachers as selected by Valedictorians and Salutatorians: from left, front row, Margo Kemmerer of Etowah HS, Megan Curtis of Sequoyah HS, Begoña Stone of Creekview HS, Johana Keever of Etowah HS, Hannah Mitchell of i-Grad Virtual Academy, Kate McIntyre of Woodstock HS, Andrew Oberlies of Sequoyah HS; back row, Josh Link of Creekview HS, Phil Money of River Ridge HS, Tracye Bulger of River Ridge HS, Eric Jones of Cherokee HS, Wesley Queen of Cherokee HS, Kellie Baglio of Woodstock HS and Heather Craighead of i-Grad Virtual Academy.

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