Valedictorians
Noah Koch, 18
Parish: Sacred Heart
Parents: Kevin and Sarah Koch
College and major: University of Arkansas, chemical engineering
What goals do you want to pursue after college? After college, I wish to start a family and continue to work in my field of study, and maybe even help the diocese with youth events.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date? My proudest accomplishment to date is definitely my work for the diocese as a Search team member and a Youth Advisory Council member.
How will your faith be a part of your future? I will make my faith a part of my future by deepening it and helping others deepen their faith as well.
Scholarships:Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship, University of Arkansas’ Chancellor’s Scholarship.
Awards and honors: Honor graduate
Sydney Briggler, 18
Parish: Sacred Heart
Parent: Patrick Briggler
College and major: University of Central Arkansas, nursing
What goals do you want to pursue after college? I plan to gain nursing experience and if nursing is not what I fully want to do, then I will go on to further my education and become a nurse practitioner.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date? My proudest accomplishment was when I was able to buy myself a brand new car.
How will your faith be a part of your future? My faith will be a part of my future in that I believe that God has called me to become a part of the medical field in order to help those around me.
Scholarships: Horatio Alger Association, UCA Distinguished Scholarship, James Taylor Memorial Scholarship
Awards and honors: Chosen for Girls’ State, Bill Deaton Salute Award
Leah Moore, 18
Parish: St. Elizabeth Church, Oppelo
Parents: Josh and Kimberly Moore
College and major: University of Central Arkansas, psychology/pre-occupational therapy
What goals do you want to pursue after college? Become an occupational therapist. Helping people learn to do everyday tasks and help them grow stronger is something that makes me feel good about myself and others. By helping people to accomplish daily tasks, it can help them live a purposeful life. I can help impact someone’s life in a positive way.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date? I was diagnosed with Celiac in fifth grade and have grown and learned to know what foods I can and cannot eat. There are a lot more options now than there were when I first started to eat gluten-free. I also learned that gluten was not just in food, so my family and I had to undergo many changes in our house. I am proud of myself for not giving up and never getting upset when it was difficult to find food I could eat.
How will your faith be a part of your future? Having that faith in God will help in my future because I can always count on him to be there with me when I am struggling, and he will always be there to help when I need it.
Scholarships: UCA Distinguished Scholarship, Modern Woodman Make An Impact Scholarship, Academic Challenge Scholarship
Honors and awards: 11th grade Arbor Day poetry award 3rd place, 11th grade Community Service Award from VFW
Shelby Pettingill, 18
Parents: Michael and Ashley Pettingill
College and major: University of Central Arkansas, biology on the pre-med track
What goals do you want to pursue after college? I want to apply to medical school after college in the hopes of becoming a doctor.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date? My proudest accomplishment to date is being selected by faculty to represent Sacred Heart at the Girls’ State Convention.
How will your faith be a part of your future? My future is in the hands of God, meaning that wherever he calls me, I will go. I hope that my faith in God will lead me wherever I am and help me to strive to be a better person.
Scholarships: Distinguished Scholarship from the University of Central Arkansas, Arkansas
Challenge
High school honors and awards: Invited to C.H.A.M.P.S. Camp at Conway Regional Hospital, invited to Beta Club Leadership Conference, Award of Honor from the Veterans of Foreign Affairs of the United States
Elizabeth Aquilar, 17
Parents: Danny and Jennifer Aquilar
College and major: Arkansas Tech University, bio-med/pre-med
What goals do you want to pursue after college? I plan on attending medical school after college to become a gastroenterologist.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date? My proudest accomplishment other than becoming valedictorian would be receiving a scholarship to play softball at Arkansas Tech University.
How will your faith be a part of your future? When facing challenges ahead, my faith in God will help guide me through.
Scholarships: Board of Trustees Scholarship, Concurrent ATU scholarship, softball
scholarship, and the Lottery Scholarship
High school honors and awards: Girls representative for Sacred Heart at Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference; All-Conference varsity softball ninth and 10th grade; Golden Glove award varsity softball 9th grade; Rebel award, varsity softball ninth grade; All-State varsity softball 10th grade; Governors Scholastic Honor
Graduation was held May 16 in Ruff Auditorium at Sacred Heart School. Pastor Msgr. Jack Harris was the speaker.
The valedictorians are Elizabeth M. Aquilar, Sydney T. Briggler, Noah L. Koch, Leah E. Moore and Shelby P. Pettingill.
The salutatorians are Laney N. Osborn and Baylee M. Sparks. Osborn, daughter of Randy Osborn, will be studying general education at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. Sparks, daughter of Todd and Wendy Sparks, will attend the University of Central Arkansas to study nutrition and dietetics.
Other graduates are:
Matthew C. Andrews
Elizabeth J. Beck
Thomas J. Buser
Samuel L. Crowell
Emma R. Eggart
McKenzie L. Greeson
Robert T. Greeson
Daniel C. Hoelzeman
Mary Anna Lee Maus
Joseph T. Roscoe
Lane A. Wells
