Whitefish High School
Whitefish High School students receiving a 4.0 GPA
Derek Crittenden
Age: 18
Parents' names: Bill and Cyndee Carter
Post-graduation plans: Attend University of Montana on a football scholarship. I will be majoring in astronomy and/or pre-med.
Life goal: My life goal is to have a positive and inspiring impact on society.
Extracurriculars: Football, wrestling, track, National Honor Society, community service
Secret to achieving top grades: The secret to achieving top grades is maintaining a positive mindset. Treat the competitive atmosphere as an opportunity to rise above. Seize the moment; believe in yourself and your abilities.
Words of wisdom: "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." -- Thomas Edison
Haley Hill
Age: 18
Parents' names: Shane and Susanne Hill
Post-graduation plans: Brigham Young University honors and nursing programs
Life goal: Physician's assistant
Extracurriculars: National Honor Society president, Readers Club, cross country, speech and debate, church youth group leader
Kathleen Anne McGunagle
Age: 17
Parents' names: Timothy and Glenda McGunagle
Post-graduation plans: I will attend Princeton University in the coming fall of 2010.
Life goal: College professor of creative writing, English language and literature, or Spanish language
Extracurriculars: Drama Club, student council, America Reads, Youth Alive, National Honor Society, Lunch Pail Buddies/Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, varsity band, cross country, track, FREE FLOW (science club)
Secret to achieving top grades: I don't believe that there is a "secret" for achieving top grades. Quite simply, one has to be motivated, determined and realistic about one's goals. One also has to do more than just homework: It takes an active interest in learning and a love of learning. It helps to know one's teachers on a personal level and to have a healthy relationship with one's parents. It may mean lots of sleepless nights and frustration, but it all works out!
Words of wisdom: Many kids decide not to put much effort into high school because they do not see the "point" or see how it will help them in life. This is entirely untrue: Doing well in high school now can pave the way for receiving acceptance to college and doing well in college and in the work force. Only when one realizes this can one have the drive to do well in school. Also, being "smart" may equate to being a "nerd" in high school reality -- but truly, it all pays off. Don't let others drag you down for what you love. Be real. Be yourself. And give it your all.
Maxwell Schmidt
Age: 18
Parents' names: Annette and Carl Schmidt
Post-graduation plans: Attend Davidson Honors College and Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Montana-Missoula
Life goal: Graduate with a degree in pharmacy from UM, spend some time in Japan and buy a private island.
Extracurriculars: Key Club, National Honor Society, Boy Scouts
Secret to achieving top grades: Suck up to everybody in a position to control your grade.
Words of wisdom: Wear glasses -- they make you look smarter.
Josh Schott
Age: 18
Parents' names: Sandy and Conrad Schott
Post-graduation plans: Attend Stanford University
Life goal: Work in Africa or the Middle East as a humanitarian aid relief worker in war-torn countries.
Extracurriculars: Environmental Club, student council, Young Democrats, Student Anti-Genocide Coalition, National Honor Society, speech and debate, Glacier Twins baseball, Flathead/Kootenai Chapter of the Montana Wilderness Association, Flathead Valley Youth Restorative Justice Program
Secret to achieving top grades: It's no secret; do your homework and study for tests.
Words of wisdom: Who am I to give words of wisdom? I'm not Confucius or the Dalai Lama.
Tara Sullivan
Age: 18
Parents' names: Stephen Sullivan and Kerin Gayner
Post-graduation plans: University of Oregon
Life goal: My life goal is to discover a career I am passionate about.
Extracurriculars: Tennis, golf, choir, select vocal ensemble, National Honor Society, student council, Water Quality Club, Student Anti-Genocide Coalition
Secret to achieving top grades: Do all your homework and make friends with your teachers.
Words of wisdom: Do something out of your comfort zone; by doing so, you will discover something new about yourself.
Hannah Weaver
Age: 18
Parents' names: Bob and Cindy Weaver
Post-graduation plans: I am attending Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., next fall, planning to major in physics.
Life goal: After graduate school, I would like to go into teaching and/or research.
Extracurriculars: FREE FLOW (science club), Key Club, Thespians Club, Readers Club, Youth Alive, cross country, tennis, cross country ski coach
Secret to achieving top grades: Give it your all and hope for the best.
Words of wisdom: Begin anywhere.