May 27, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Megan Overman, Public Information Officer
Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District
817-251-5503

Class of ‘08 Valedictorians and Salutatorians named for GCISD

The five highest ranked students at Grapevine-Colleyville ISD’s two high schools have been named Valedictorians and Salutatorians of the Class of 2008. The Valedictorian is the student scholar with the highest grade point average for four years of high school. Salutatorian is the student with the second-highest grade point average.This year, GCISD also is pleased to recognize a Grapevine High School student who has completed her high school course work in three years.

At Colleyville Heritage High, Christina Wray is Valedictorian and Shelby Margaret Lee is Salutatorian. At Grapevine High, Tyler Scott Franklin is Valedictorian, Anjali Datta is Valedictorian--Three-Year, and Brigit Holland is Salutatorian.

Christina Wray, CHHS Valedictorian
Parents: Susan Hess Wray and Richard Wray of Colleyville

• President of National Honor Society
• CHHS Varsity Tennis Team
• CHHS Red Jackets
• National Merit Finalist
• AP Scholar with Distinction
• Science Club Member
• Volunteered at Cook Children’s Medical Center (Microbiology Lab & Oncology Department) and went on a medical mission trip to Panama (vision clinic & translator).
• Attended GCISD schools throughout public education: Bransford, Colleyville and then Colleyville Heritage High

Christina plans to major in Biology at Dartmouth College and pursue a career in medicine with an emphasis on laboratory research. Christina says CHHS teacher Cindi Timmons has provided her with the best educational experience because of her unique approach to teaching and fun classroom environment.

“I hope that the ambition and work ethic that I’ve developed throughout high school will help me succeed in my future education and career goals.”

Shelby Margaret Lee, CHHS Salutatorian
Parents: Joe and Ann Lee of Southlake

• National Honor Society
• National Spanish Honor Society
• National Merit Finalist
• AP Scholar with Distinction
• Panther Mascot
• CHHS Red Jackets
• Member of church youth organization, Girls State Delegate and GRACE Christmas Cottage volunteer
• Attended GCISD schools for 11 years: Grapevine Elementary, Colleyville Middle and then Colleyville Heritage High

Shelby plans to major in Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University. She says Karen Knott has provided her with the best educational experience. “Mrs. Knott devotes her time and energy to her students. When students showed an interest in an upper-level math class, Mrs. Knott took on the task of teaching the class although it required extensive planning.”

“Being the Salutatorian has given me confidence and shown me that I can achieve what I set my mind to.”

Tyler Scott Franklin, GHS Valedictorian
Parents: Mike and Kathy Franklin of Colleyville

• National Merit Scholar
• AP Scholar
• National Honor Society
• GHS Spanish Honor Society
• Community Scholar Ambassador
• GHS Tennis Team
• Fillies Honor Guard
• Co-Founder and President of GHS Ultimate Frisbee Club
• Participated in church youth organization and went on several mission trips
• Attended GCISD schools throughout public education: Glenhope, Cross Timbers and the Grapevine High

Tyler plans to major in Aerospace Engineering through the Honors Program at the University of Texas in Austin. He would like to work for a company such as Boeing or Lockheed Martin, or become a test pilot. Tyler says GHS teacher Lori Cleveland has provided him with the best educational experience. “Mrs. Cleveland is a teacher who easily relates to her students and understands the priorities in her students’ lives. The method by which she teaches corresponds to her connection with her students, in that she leads a focused lesson and then gives students a chance to do their homework in class to reinforce the new material…Further, if I ever had a problem or a question, Mrs. Cleveland was always available.”

“Receiving this honor will encourage me to continue to strive for excellence and never settle for mediocrity. Becoming Valedictorian reinforces my confidence that I can achieve any goal for which I strive and will push me to follow my dreams.”

Anjali Datta, GHS Valedictorian--Three-Year
Parents: Deepak and Shraboni Datta of Grapevine

• Candidate for Presidential Scholars Program
• Founder and President of Mu Alpha Theta, GHS chapter
• Captain of GHS World Quest team
• Accomplished Chess player and represented the U.S. in World Youth Chess Championships in Crete and Greece
• Volunteer Chess coach at Southlake and Colleyville Library Chess Clubs
• Attended GCISD schools for four years: Cross Timbers and Grapevine High

Anjali plans to major in Biomedical Engineering as a Dedman Distinguished Scholar at the University of Texas in Austin. She hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering or a M.D./PhD. with the objective of a career in research in academia or industry. Anjali notes that she has had many excellent teachers in GCISD, including Angela Annis, Stephanie Bakintas, Dave Parson and Ann Turpin.

“Being the highest ranking graduate gives me the confidence that I will be able to take on challenges in the future.”

Brigit Holland, GHS Salutatorian
Parents: Bill and Mary Holland of North Richland Hills

• National Merit Finalist
• National Honor Society
• Spanish National Honor Society
• Volunteers at a nursing and rehabilitation center
• Attended GCISD schools throughout public education: O.C. Taylor, Cross Timbers Middle and then Grapevine High

Brigit plans to be a Pre-Med or Chemistry major at the University of Oklahoma, and pursue a career as a doctor or chemist. She says GHS teacher Margaret Telford has provided her with the best educational experience because she is friendly, understanding and interesting.

“Being the Salutatorian helped me to get into the Honors College at the University of Oklahoma.”