D 49 high school graduations will take place May 29 at the World Arena in Colorado Springs. Falcon High School will be at 10 a.m. and Sand Creek High School at 2 p.m. The district’s broadcasting academy will show the ceremonies live on Comcast Channel 19. See the district Web site for more information at www.d49.org.From aspiring scientists to doctors to writers, this year’s valedictorians and salutatorians are the crËme de la crËme.Nathaniel Sundquist, valedictorian, Sand Creek High SchoolNathaniel Sundquist is a self-proclaimed trekkie and “Star Wars” fan. “It’s pretty geeky,” he said.As a devoted fan, he promised to include at least one Star Wars analogy in his valedictorian speech to his Sand Creek classmates at this month’s graduation ceremonies.In between catching a “Star Trek” rerun or two, running track and cross country, participating in Future Business Leaders of America, National Honors Society and the Science Olympiad; Sundquist propelled himself to the top spot in his 2010 graduating class.Sundquist said being valedictorian is in his blood – both his dad and sister graduated at the top of their classes. His competitive nature pushed him forward, he said.”I don’t think I’m the smartest kid, but I put my heart into everything I did,” Sundquist said. “Late homework is not acceptable. You find time, get down to it and do the work. I try to make myself as interested in the subject as possible.” His favorite classes: biology and European history.Also enrolled all four years in ROTC, he said the example set by retired Chief Master Sgt. Ben Brown inspired him to develop leadership skills. Sundquist finished the year as a squadron commander. He said ROTC also allowed him to be a “more open person, more talkative and sociable.”After graduation, Sundquist is headed to Germany for the summer. His mother is German and he lived there until he was in first grade. He said he is looking forward to meeting cousins and touring other European countries. “I’m pretty stoked,” he said.When he returns to the U.S., Sundquist will attend the University of Colorado Boulder and major in microbiology, eventually going on to medical school.Kristina Sherman, salutatorian, Sand Creek High SchoolAbout the same time most seniors are ready to call it quits with high school-related activities, Kristina Sherman is gearing up for her biggest performance yet – starring in the lead role of Sand Creek High School’s production of “The Diary of Anne Frank.” “It’s challenging to get into character,” Sherman said. “But getting to be in the spotlight is exciting.”Sherman has been in the spotlight many times during her high school years. She said a friend talked her into acting as a freshman – and Sherman said she immediately fell in love with it. She has participated in Sand Creek High School musicals and plays every year, as well as taking acting classes that perform one-act plays each quarter.With her final high school curtain call on the horizon, Sherman said she is anxiously awaiting the next step.”I’m looking forward to pursuing my education to the highest extent,” Sherman said. “I’ve dreamed of going to college since I was little.”This fall, Sherman will attend Susquehanna University in Sellins Groves, Penn. She said she plans to major in biology and then continue to medical school.As she leaves high school behind, Sherman encourages students to hit the ground running. “You won’t have to play catch up the rest of high school,” she said.Sherman also said it’s important to take breaks, enjoy high school and plan wisely.”Figure out when you have to start a project – plan, think ahead. Then, be willing to pull an all-nighter or two,” she said. Sherman said she pulled several all-nighters to fit in studies, friends and extracurricular activities.In addition to acting, Sherman said she was on the speech and debate team, competed in the Poetry Out Loud state competition, where she was runner up, and the Science Olympiad, where she and her partner placed first in forensics.Annina McMillan, valedictorian, Falcon High SchoolNever one to shy away from a challenge, Annina McMillan kicked off her sophomore year with a heavy schedule of Advanced Placement and honors courses.”Opportunity is often disguised as hard work,” McMillan said. “Don’t avoid a class just because it looks hard.”She credits her top ranking at Falcon High School to that head start. She particularly enjoys science. “I like knowing how things work,” she said.McMillan will attend Truman State University in Missouri this fall and plans to major in chemistry. She would eventually like to work in research.During high school, McMillan said she studied hard, participated in National Honor Society, Link Crew, enjoyed downhill skiing with her family and volunteered at the Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center and the National Mill Dog Rescue.This semester she interned with Dr. Jim Friedly at the Natural Healthcare Center for Animals. “I did it to learn about holistic ways to treat animals,” McMillan said. “I’m learning acupuncture and chiropractic work on animals. It’s cool to see it really work.”She said grades are important to her, but balance also tops her list. “I try to make sure I have time to have to myself,” McMillan said.Balance for her is about reading everything from literary classics like “The Picture of Dorian Gray” to science fiction and fantasy. She also paints and draws – looking to nature as her inspiration. “I like to draw leaves, animals, flowers and bugs,” she said. McMillan also spends time enjoying nature and riding horses, competing regularly.She said she fell in love with horses when she was 12 years old and now she leases a horse named Master Gunner and spends four days a week at the stables. “It’s exciting to have a 1,200 pound animal under you,” McMillan said. “It gives you so much power and speed.”Although McMillan will have to leave Master Gunner this fall, she will continue riding as a member of Truman State’s equestrian team.Taylor Herbert, salutatorian, Falcon High SchoolTaylor Herbert transferred to Falcon High School as a sophomore. Prior to attending FHS she had been homeschooled and had attended charter schools.”I really liked the social experience,” Herbert said. “I studied a lot, but I made the most of my time, hung out with friends and went to concerts.”She also volunteered with the National Honor Society, the National Mill Dog Rescue and Link Crew, a FHS program that reaches out to incoming freshman to help them acclimate to high school.Herbert has followed the advice she gives to new high school students, “Push yourself, don’t just take easy classes,” she said.Taking four Advance Placement classes her senior year and several her junior year, Herbert credits her success to her parents. “They are so supportive of me. I couldn’t have done what I did without them,” Herbert said.She is also an aspiring writer. In November, Hebert participated in National Novel Writing Month. She wrote a 50,000-word novel in 30 days about life lessons learned in high school.”It’s based loosely on my life and how I survived high school,” Herbert said. “I tried to make it funny and larger than life.”When she has time, Herbert said she would like to return to the novel, which she tentatively titled “Learning to Fall and Get Back Up Again.””There’s not time to make it perfect during NaNoWriMo,” Herbert said. “I will go back, edit, cut and add.” She said she also wants critiques from friends, although she’s nervous to open herself up to criticism.”I want them to be honest, but not brutal,” she said. “It’s (her book) personal and shares my innermost thoughts.”Criticism is something she says she’ll have to get used to, since she hopes to someday write and publish psychological thrillers.Herbert will attend Lewis and Clark University in Portland, Ore. She wants to double major in psychology and English. “I’m really looking forward to studying stuff I’m interested in,” she said.She would like to pursue a masters and a doctorate to become a practicing psychiatrist, Herbert said. The English degree will help her with the required writing and push her closer to her dream of eventually writing psychological thrillers.
