Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 3, 1995 TAG: 9506050015
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: GILES LENGTH: Medium
But the Giles High School senior wants to be an average college student, without the military restrictions her brother had to face.
So she's compromising. And what seems like a compromise to Walker is an outstanding achievement to most of us .
Walker, who graduates tonight sixth in her class, received an ROTC Air Force scholarship that will carry her through three years at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
"I got home and opened the letter and my Dad said, 'Thank you so much,'" Walker said this week.
The scholarship will provide about $9,000 a year plus a monthly stipend after Walker completes her freshman year at UT.
Jeff Jeffers, a rising senior at Virginia Tech, was the last Giles High graduate to receive the ROTC scholarship in 1992. Walker's brother, Lee, earned the same scholarship to attend the Air Force Academy six years ago.
Katie Walker's academic performance, says guidance counselor Carol Johnston, has been outstanding. Walker has been an honor roll student since freshman year and will graduate with a grade point average of 4.26 out of a possible 4.0.
"Actually, everyone in the Top 10 [has] above a 4.0," Johnston said. Walker is taking two college-level courses that will give her 14 hours of college credit. Five of her classes are weighted with extra credit.
Surprisingly, Walker's favorite course this year was advanced algebra trigonometry.
"That's the real killer course, and Katie's blown the lid off it," Johnston said.
Johnston has counseled Walker as she agonized over which college to attend and whether to join the ROTC program. But through it all Walker has managed to maintain her quiet confidence.
"She's cool, calm and collected," Johnston said. "She must work it all out when she runs."
The slim, athletic redhead agrees. The track, says Walker, is her second home.
"I couldn't live without running," she said.
The farther the distance, the better - although Walker runs an impressive 5-minute 44-second mile. This year's track team, she says proudly, placed second in the state competition.
If brains and brawn weren't enough to keep this 18-year-old busy, Walker loves music. She plays flute in concert band. For the last two years, she's also been co-drum major for the marching band.
"Maybe that's where she got the urge to go into the military - she'll switch from the drum major uniform to an Air Force one," joked Johnston.
After college graduation, Walker will serve four years in the Air Force, then four years in the reserves. It will all be worth it, she says, if she can qualify to fly.
"After that, I think I want to be a doctor - maybe a general practitioner," she said with the anxious smile of someone about to begin a new adventure.
Walker attributes much of her dedication to her parents. Her mother, Maureen, helps with English and biology. David, her dad, covers trigonometry and physics.
"My parents have always been behind me."
Walker has tried to transfer some of her confidence back to fellow students. Since the eighth grade, she's been a member of SMARTT: Spartans Making A Right Turn Together.
The group gathers at Pearisburg Methodist Church for lock-ins, discusses topics like leading a drug-free lifestyle, and talks with younger students about building confidence.
"It's a group for friends, church, group activities," Walker said. "It's all about self-esteem.
GILES HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF '95
Number of graduates: 119
College bound: 80
Work bound: 36
Military bound: 3
Valedictorian: Brian Rundgren
Salutatorian: Amy Dolinger
by CNB