The school year is winding down, which  means graduation is coming up with all its pomp and circumstance. WTWO is proud to be part of one graduation tradition in the Wabash Valley. Each year we salute the “Top of the Class”.

For the 28th year, students, parents and educators gathered for a celebration lunch, this year held at North Central High School. Valedictorians from 44 different schools in Indiana and Illinois stepped forward to receive certificates and Ivy Tech scholarships.

“For those kids that get to work to this level and this ability, it’s a joy when they can be recognized. They earn it,” said Mark Schimmel, principal at South Vermillion High School.

“It means quite a lot to me, cause like, our class has some of the highest numbers of high performing students that we’ve ever had at the school,” said Brady Turner, Washington Valedictorian.  

Brady and the other teens share some common characteristics. They value education and they’re willing to put in extra effort.

“It hasn’t been easy. I’ve taken a lot of college classes with all my high school classes, it’s just putting in the extra work to get here,” said Hallie Steffey, Palestine Valedictorian.

Talking to the students you get a sense that they see no limits in the future, only opportunity.

“I’m planning on going to the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and study aerospace engineering.  I’m really excited to do that, really excited,” said Cole Wagner, Robinson Valedictorian.