The 'Eagle Times' Student Newspaper: Features

Valedictorian, salutatorian announced

Wetzel and Baden receive top honors

By Alex Hawkins

May 01, 2008

Recently, two aspiring students received honors that they will be able to carry with them throughout their lives. Sara Wetzel and Josh Baden were named Silver Lake’s prestigious Class of 2008 valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.

Baden, salutatorian, currently has a 4.165 grade point average and has experienced much academic success during high school. He credits many of his accomplishments to his inspirations.

“My mom and my brother motivated me. My brother had to try so hard for good grades, and I don't have to try so hard, so I might as well give it my all,” Baden explained.

Baden’s family members weren't the only people who helped him achieve his goals.

“Mr. Cunningham probably helped me out in high school most because he has a lot of funny jokes and has life lessons. I really liked shop classes but I'd have to say that Mr. Cunningham’s math classes were my favorite,” Baden said.

Not all high school course work came that easily for Baden, though.

“I think that Bollig's classes were most difficult because there’s no set plan for physics even though he says there is, and there’s just a lot of equations,” he explained.

Baden stated that new students shouldn't be frightened by high school; they should merely start exerting themselves early.

“My advice for new students is to start working hard from the get-go because most people, when they get done, wish that they would have worked harder,” he said.

Every year, the salutatorian is asked to give a speech at graduation, and most years it is a recap of the students’ road from kindergarten to graduation. Baden has been asked to do just that, but he said he'll have a much tougher time than the salutatorians of past.

“Mr. Winter kind of told us guidelines for which topic to choose and mine is supposed to be on the past, which would be hard since I've only been here since sixth grade,” he explained.

Because of his predicament, he has decided that uniqueness might be the best solution.

“I haven't started it yet, but I think I want it to be different from everybody else’s," he said.

Baden has already settled on majoring in genetics at the University of Kansas. He’s made the more important decisions, but he still hasn't decided what he wants to do after his first four years. He has at least narrowed it down to continuing with school to get his master’s in genetics or simply getting a job.

Wetzel, valedictorian, has racked up about a 4.25 grade point average throughout her high school years at Silver Lake. Her encouragements come not only from those around her but also come from her desire.

“My parents have been one motivation for me because they always push me to do my best. My motivation comes mostly from my personality which pushes me to always do the best that I can in anything and doesn't allow me to slack off,” she said.

All of Silver Lake’s faculty members have played a key role in Wetzel's successes during high school and how prepared she is for college.

“They're all good teachers. They all taught me different things that I needed to know and will help me in college,” Wetzel explained.

She did enjoy one class in particular.

“My favorite class was pre-calculus because we had seven people in our class which was amazing and AC is funny. I also like math, so I enjoyed the class,” Wetzel said.

New high school students can benefit from high school successes if they live by Wetzel's motto.

“Work your hardest in everything because it really does pay off in the end,” she explained.

Wetzel has also been working hard on her graduation speech. Valedictorian speeches are usually supposed to be inspirational, and hers is going in that direction.

“My graduation speech is going amazing and is almost done. It’s kind of talking about the present and future,” she said.

Wetzel has also made up her mind early, deciding to attend Washburn University for her first two years while majoring in pre-pharmacy. She was attracted to Washburn because of its location and size.

“I chose it because of the smaller classes and the ability to live at home while I go there,” Wetzel explained.

She is planning on transferring to the University of Kansas after her first two years where she will complete her pharmacy degree.