INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Public Schools announced the 2017 Class of Valedictorians and Salutatorians May 25. From enduring bouts of homelessness to acclimating to a new country, some of this year’s Vals and Sals have overcome significant hurdles to graduate at the head of their class. This is only a small sample of the inspiring stories our Vals and Sals have to offer.
Blessing Olagundoye worked on the farms in her homeland of Nigeria to make money to pay for school there. She moved to the United States less than two years ago and will graduate first in her class at Northwest Community High School with a 3.97 GPA.
Justin Smith spent much of his senior year homeless staying with friends. But that didn’t stop him from participating on the Arlington Golden Knights Cheer Squad, running track, playing football, and becoming valedictorian with a 3.9 GPA earning a full ride to IUPUI.
Zacharie Zirnheld was academically gifted and entered high school at the age most students enter middle school. But, despite his young age, he overcame some challenges to not only graduate at the top of his class at Shortridge International Baccalaureate High School, but at the top of the district with the highest GPA of all graduating seniors at 4.45.
East side honorees include:
• Arlington Community High School, Valedictorian Justin Smith and Salutatorian Curtez Hudgins
• Arsenal Technical High School Valedictorian Annie King- and Salutatorian Daniela Lopez
• Broad Ripple Magnet High School for Arts and Humanities Valedictorian Andres Calvillo and Salutatorian Margaret VanSchaik
• John Marshall Community High School Valedictorian Cosmel Euceda and Salutatorian Anissa Davis
• Shortridge International Baccalaureate High School Valedictorian Zacharie Andre Zirnheld and Salutatorian Opeoluwa Obajolu