Jett Thistle - Class of 2017 Valedictorian
Not only has Jett earned the honor of valedictorian with his GPA, he also received the honor of STAR student by having the highest SAT score of this class. Beyond these academic accomplishments, he has been recognized and awarded every year on the rodeo team - Most Improved in ninth grade, Character Award in tenth grade, MVP in eleventh grade and Leadership his senior year. He was honored on February 9 at the State Capital by Governor Nathan Deal for being the only person to finish first in every event in his class at the Pinto World Championship. This is the first time in 52 years that anyone achieved this.
Jett is a leader in service activities, which he does quietly and without fanfare. He started a program at the Loganville library to help senior citizens learn basic computer skills such as e-mail. He always takes part in his stable’s annual tradition of horseback Christmas caroling at several area retirement and nursing homes over the holiday season. Jett has taught lessons at the stable for quite a while. He teaches riding therapy lessons for special needs children between three and five times a week year round.
Jett will be attending the University of Georgia in the fall.
Olivia Kight - Class of 2017 Salutatorian
Olivia Kight is an excellent student. She has taken a rigorous course load throughout high school with many honors and dual enrollment classes. Teachers describe her as an extraordinary student who gives 150%. One says “She always goes above and beyond what is required. I am confident that she will be successful in whatever she chooses because of her intellect and superior work effort.” She was awarded the Georgia Certificate of Merit at the end of her junior year.
Olivia has played volleyball throughout high school, first JV and now varsity where she is a co-captain. She spent the last six months as a paid assistant coach for an 11-14 year old select team. This involved two 2 hour practices each week and several two day tournaments a month. She has volunteered to tutor younger students in several subjects and is a paid weekly tutor for a junior classmate. Olivia was a member of our TEAMS competition team in her junior year, which involved extensive practice in mathematics, technology, and engineering before a district competition.
Olivia will be attending Mercer University in the fall.
