Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 2, 1994 TAG: 9406020187
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: GRADS-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARY JO SHANNON SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The custom began as an effort to recognize academic achievement in a way comparable to the B'nai B'rith awards for athletes, said Dave Ross, spokesman for the Elks.
The number of schools invited increased over the years, and now includes private schools in Roanoke and public schools in Floyd and Pulaski counties.
But the biggest change has been in the number of valedictorians from each school. Because of changes in the method of determining valedictorians, several schools have more than one.
Traditionally the honor went to the student with the highest grade-point average. Two or more students were recognized only in case of a tie.
But when schools began to offer Advanced Placement courses to challenge academically gifted students, they created a problem. Grades for college-level AP courses were weighted, crediting the student with 5.0 points for each A compared with 4.0 points for less demanding regular classes.
With this method, it was virtually impossible for students not enrolled in AP courses to obtain the highest GPA.
To solve the problem, "valedictorian" was defined as "any student with a GPA of 4.0 or better."
Roanoke City Schools abandoned this definition several years ago, said Elizabeth Lee, principal of Patrick Henry High School.
But in Roanoke County, all students with 4.0 or higher are honored.
Cave Spring has at least 11 valedictorians; Northside, four; and William Byrd, two. More names may be added when final grades are completed.
Students and faculty differ in their views of the new procedure.
"I think we're losing the original meaning of the valedictorian," said Cammie Williams, Spanish teacher at Cave Spring.
However, students at Cave Spring do not complain and share the honor willingly.
"It's no problem with me," said Chris Mitchell, a Governor's School student who plans to attend the University of Virginia. "If everyone worked that hard they deserve it."
Senior Shannon Vittur thinks it may be easier for students in AP courses to achieve a 4.0 or better.
"If you take regular courses you can't make any slip-ups if you want to be a valedictorian," she said. Her course load included AP calculus, AP English, AP computer science, physics, anatomy and advanced government.
But what about the speeches usually delivered by the valedictorian and the runner-up, the salutatorian? At Cave Spring, the two students with the highest GPAs have that honor and the others carry out ceremonial procedures such as the invocation and pledge to the flag.
As of May 26, the 1994 valedictorians at schools in the Roanoke Valley are:
Cave Spring - Christopher Mitchell, son of Bruce and Joyce Mitchell; Julie Floryan, daughter of Richard and Lorraine Floryan; Erin Sobotta, daughter of David and Glenda Sobotta; Jeremy Morris, son of Danialand Bobbie Morris; Brent Shorter, son of George and Margaret Shorter; Nancy Lin, daughter of Shiu-Shiung and Shu-Te Lin; Shannon Vittur, daughter of David and Donna Vittur; David Kunkle, son of Arthur and Marion Kunkle; Anne Spencer, daughter of Greg and Peggy Spencer; Andrew Shernoff, son of Alan and Marcia Shernoff; and Anthony Duus, son of Charles and Joan Duus.
Craig County - Kathryn Lynn Brammer, daughter of Paul and Judy Brammer.
Franklin County - Jennifer Elaine Lewis, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Steve Lewis.
Glenvar - Ryan Antolini, son of Joe and Martha Antolini.
James River - Tania Conner, daughter of Bill and Dianne Conner.
Liberty - Victoria Bowyer daughter of Joseph and Sally Bowyer.
Lord Botetourt - Jason Sprinkle, son of Peter and Denise Sprinkle.
North Cross - Ellen Brenner, daughter of Terry and Laura Brenner.
Northside - Benjamin J. Drinkwine, son of Monte and Valorie Drinkwine; Mary Ann Elacate, daughter of Jose and Mary Elacate; Russell A. Clemmer, son of James and Deborah Clemmer; Christine Huynh, daughter of Chieu Huynh; and M. Scott Carty, son of David and Rebecca Carty.
Patrick Henry - Horace B. Thomas, son of Horace and Margaret Thomas.
Roanoke Catholic - Mary LaNeve Molinary, daughter of Jim and Bonnie Molinary.
Roanoke Valley Christian - Ernest P. Clark Jr., son of Ernest and Mary Clark; and Kristen Rossbacher, daughter of Robert and Judith Rossbacher.
Salem - Kevin Dalal, son of Hoshi and Soon Hee Dalal.
Staunton River - Deanna Marie Musselman, daughter of Richard and Martha Musselman.
William Byrd - Rachel Allen, daughter of Jim and Susan Perry; and Michael Sutton, son of Ted and Judy P. Sutton.
William Fleming - Brian Short, son of Larry and Thuy Short.
by CNB