These students have been named the Salisbury Post’s All-County Scholars. Members are chosen by their guidance department based on grade-point average, SAT score and class rank.
Jesse Carson High
• Patrick Diep of China Grove, son of Hoa On-Chen and Tony A. Chen.
High school clubs/sports: Marching band, National Honor Society, Junior Civitans, Students Against Destructive Decisions, swim team
Volunteer work: China Grove Middle School (chess club and band)
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: All-County band (2008-11), Moody’s Mega Math Challenge, swimming regionals, junior marshal, clarinet solo competition, woodwind captain, swim captain, musical
Advice to freshmen: Turn in your work on time and have fun in high school.
Favorite high-school memory: Marching in my first football half-time show.
Proudest high-school moment: Receiving a junior marshal invitation letter.
If I had $10 million, I would: I would pay off any money owed for my education, then put the rest in a high interest savings account.
• Dylan Tucker Eagle of Faith, son of Scott and Paula Eagle.
High school clubs/sports: Student Council, National Honor Society vice president, Youth Commission International vice president, football, basketball, track, International Thespian Society
Volunteer work: Upward basketball referee for Faith community, fill in for pastor at Faith Baptist Church, mission trips to Honduras, Cuba and Kentucky, built handicap ramps through Faith Baptist Church.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Student body president, scholar athlete, captain for basketball and football, Cougar Hustle award for basketball, Salisbury Rotary Athletic Leadership award, Faith Civitans 2010 Teenager of the Year, DAR Good Citizen 2010, Boys State attendee, N.C. Senate page, licensed to preach the Gospel by Faith Baptist Church, Challengers National award, National Leadership award, Service Above Self award for Rowan County and member of the spring musical “Seussical.”
Advice to freshmen: Just go for it. Get involved at your school and do not hold back because you never know what can happen.
Favorite high-school memory: It would be hard for me to pick just one, I have experienced so much and been affected by so many people for the better. But I know that I will cherish my entire experience at Carson forever.
Proudest high-school moment: Without a doubt I am sure that my proudest moment will be at graduation when I am able to give my speech and look out over all of my friends and say “We did it.”
If I had $10 million, I would: Give $2 million to Faith Baptist Church, pay back my parents all the money I have borrowed over the years and buy their dream home in the mountains, make sure college is paid for and then take my family and girlfriend to wherever they want to go on vacation.
• Amanda Girelli of Salisbury, daughter of Carl and Anita Girelli.
High school clubs/sports: Drama club, National Honor Society, International Thespian Society.
Volunteer work: Tutored Knox Middle School students.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Catawba Chorale, Governor’s School, performing in Carson shows.
Advice to freshmen: Find something you like to do and do it well so you can be proud of yourself.
Favorite high-school memory: Going to Governor’s School.
Proudest high-school moment: Getting a lead part in my senior musical.
If I had $10 million, I would: Buy a Mini-Cooper and start a small business.
• Emily Nicole Peeler of China Grove, daughter of Nelson and Lorie Peeler.
High school clubs/sports: Marching band, National Honor Society, Junior Civitans, drama club, student council, chorus, winterguard.
Volunteer work: Upward cheerleading coach, community blood drive, help in nursery and with children’s church at Shiloh Reformed Church, Santa’s Day out, freshman orientation, technology day.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Colorguard co-captain for two years, student body secretary, senior math award, Principal’s Association award, selected by North Carolina State University to be a Ben Franklin Scholar.
Advice to freshmen: Get involved in activities at Carson and always give your best.
Favorite high-school memory: Being in marching band.
Proudest high-school moment: Getting the senior math award and when Carson had its first football victory.
If I had $10 million, I would: Donate to church and charities, take my friends on a trip to Europe and save the rest.
East Rowan
• Dillon Arey of Salisbury, son of Robyn and Rodney Arey.
High school clubs/sports: Mens soccer, indoor track, outdoor track, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Sigma Phi Gamma, drafting club, Young Life.
Volunteer work: Local fire department fundraisers, unicycling for Relay for Life and One Child, One Church, volunteering at homeless shelter, helping with church Easter egg hunt, Bible school, caroling to shut-ins, parking cars at Autumn Jubilee, coaching middle school pole volunteers.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Playing guitar, wakeboarding, canoe racing (first place in South Yadkin Canoe River), snowboarding, scholar athlete, outstanding senior, friendliest superlative, AP Scholar with honors, Civitan Scholar, All-County and All-Conference for soccer, second place in indoor track state championship pole vault.
Advice to freshmen: Don’t go through high school just trying to get through each week to the weekend. Any day has the potential to be a great day, you just have to make it so.
Favorite high-school memory: Staying up all night to watch “Harry Potter,” then going to school the next day.
Proudest high-school moment: Being accepted to Duke.
If I had $10 million, I would: Buy a house in Costa Rica and a plane to fly there.
• Raven Noel Corbett of Rockwell, daughter of Rocky and Mary Beth Corbett.
High school clubs/sports: Varsity cheerleader (co-captain), Junior Civitans president, National Honor Society chaplain, Youth Commission International leader, student council.
Volunteer work: Operation Christmas Child volunteer, entertainer with Center Stage Dance Company at various local pageants, volunteer at Nazareth Children Home’s anniversary celebration, China Grove Farmer’s Day and Rowan Helping Ministries.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Competition dance, All-American cheerleader, AP Scholar, Girl’s State scholarship recipient, scholar athlete, named one of eight outstanding seniors at East, friendliest superlative, outstanding Christian leadership award, U.S. Army National Athletic Scholar, U.S. Marine Corps Academic Scholar.
Advice to freshmen: Hard work pays off. Never give up and do everything in your ability to reach you goals. Don’t waste any moment or take anything for granted because high school is over before you know it.
Favorite high-school memory: Cheering at home football games and getting ready with my best friends before them.
Proudest high-school moment: Getting accepted at Wake Forest University.
If I had $10 million, I would: Donate a portion to my church, buy my mamaw a house, donate a portion to Rowan Helping Ministries, buy my mom a new car her wheelchair will fit in and attend Wake Forest instead of UNC-Wilmington.
• Brett Ryan Leslie of Salisbury, son of Robert Owen Leslie and Robin Seaford Leslie.
High school clubs/sports: Varsity golf, treasurer of National Honor Society, vice president of Sigma Phi Gamma, Spanish Club.
Volunteer work: Math tutor, Sigma Phi Gamma Big Sweep, yard clean-ups and construction of wheelchair ramps at homes of elderly through Rockwell United Methodist Men.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: National Merit finalist, Rockwell UMC youth group, captain of Rockwell UMC Rowan County Church Golf League Team, National Society of High School Scholars, Civitan Scholar, delegate to Tar Heel Boys’ State, AP Scholar with distriction, most dedicated senior superlative.
Advice to freshmen: Set long-term goals and do your best to reach them; be grateful for everything you have.
Favorite high-school memory: AP Spanish class, “Harry Potter” midnight showing, my hole-in-one.
Proudest high-school moment: Being accepted to all of the colleges to which I applied including UNC-Chapel Hill, Davidson, Wake Forest, Auburn and Alabama.
If I had $10 million, I would: Take a vacation, pay for college, let my parents retire and invest.
• Luke G. Thomas, of Rockwell, son of Curt and Jana Thomas.
High school clubs/sports: Baseball, National Honor Society, Junior Civitans.
Volunteer work: Work at baseball camps every summer and volunteer at the Walker Day’s Coon Hunt every year.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Young Life, DAR Good Citizen honor, U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete award.
Advice to freshmen: Work hard, it pays off.
Favorite high-school memory: Wining a state championship last year.
Proudest high-school moment: Graduating as one of the top three in my class.
If I had $10 million, I would: Put it in the bank, let it draw interest, let my parents retire.
North Rowan
• Ashtyn Lynn Kepley of Salisbury, daughter of Danny Kepley and Lisa Sechrest.
High school clubs/sports: National Honor Society, Key Club, varsity cheerleading.
Volunteer work: Vacation Bible School, Carnival for Cancer.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Junior Marshal,
Advice to freshman: Don’t wish your time in high school away.
Favorite high-school memory: The boys winning the state championship in basketball.
Proudest high-school moment: Being accepted to UNC-Chapel Hill.
If I had $10 million dollars, I would: Give 10 percent to my church and retire.
• Joshua Kevin Price of Salisbury, son of Ernest and Kathy Price.
High school clubs/sports: Marching band drum major, varsity baseball, Student Government Association executive president, National Honor Society president, Junior Civitans.
Volunteer work: Led a Christmas toy drive at North Rowan High, Special Olympics volunteer, mission trip to Supply and Copperhill, Tenn. Operation Christmas Child volunteer, school workdays at North Rowan.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Church Youth Group, Outstanding Teenager Award, Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen, science fair (state medalist), American History Award for the Rowan Veterans Council, North Carolina Governor’s School West, AP Scholar, National Merit student.
Advice to freshmen: Learn how to really dream big, it’s a lost art.
Favorite high-school memory: The last marching contest my senior year; knowing that we had a great last show.
Proudest high-school moment: Realizing that hard work does pay off.
If I had $10 million, I would: Support education in any way possible, support my family and make sure that others have a chance to go to college.
• Kevin Nhiatou Vang of Salisbury, son of ChongCha and Maisoua Vang.
High school clubs/sports: National Honor Society.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: NRHS Honor Graduates, North Carolina Scholar.
Advice to freshmen: Create your own path in life. Never follow or let someone choose it for you.
Favorite high-school memory: Making new friends.
Proudest high-school moment: Graduation.
If I had $10 million, I would: Give my three siblings and parents $1 million each. I would keep $1 million to myself, put $2 million in the bank in case of emergency, and give the remaining $2 million to charities around the world.
• Peter Joseph Wright of Spencer, son of Yvette and Erik Wright.
High school clubs/sports: Marching band, art club, National Honor Society, jazz band.
Volunteer work: Soup kitchen volunteer, church clean-up volunteer, tech day guide.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Junior marshal, saxophone captain.
Advice to freshmen: If something matters enough, you’ll make the effort to make it happen.
Favorite high-school memory: Band camp.
Proudest high-school moment: Having my art displayed around the school and at Waterworks.
If I had $10 million, I would: Help out my community by funding education, parks and homeless shelters.
Salisbury High
• Carley Ann Drye of Salisbury, daughter of John and Lesleigh Drye.
High school clubs/sports: Key Club, National Honor Society President, Spanish Club, swim team.
Volunteer work: Basketball camp volunteer, vacation Bible school volunteer with recreation, tutoring program at Knox Middle School, mission trips to Washington, D.C., Jamaica and Costa Rica with church, serving food and doing laundry at the homeless shelter.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Member of Rowan Aquatic Club for 10 years, active member of youth group, Junior Rotarian, nominated for Girls’ State, accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy, summer seminar program, recipient of the Ann White Science Award, nominated as the Daughters of the America Revolution Good Citizen.
Advice to freshmen: Do not lower your standards or change who you are in order to find friends. It is better to find those few good friends that are with you through the good and the bad.
Favorite high-school memory: Swimming in a relay at high school states with my sister.
Proudest high-school moment: Getting salutatorian and placing fourth at high school states.
If I had $10 million, I would: Use it to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
• Mary Margaret Mills of Salisbury, daughter of Elizabeth and Chris Mills.
High school clubs/sports: Key Club president, Junior Civitans vice president, swim team, tennis team, student government, National Honor Society.
Volunteer work: Mentor at Times Two, Pregnancy Support Center, initiated “Hats for Haiti” and raised $650 for earthquake victims.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Governor’s School, National Merit qualifier, AP Scholar with distinction, valedictorian.
Advice to freshmen: Take advantage of as many opportunities as possible and don’t let anyone place limits on you.
Favorite high-school memory: Governor’s School because of the exposure to new topics and people.
Proudest high-school moment: Delivering more than 1,000 books that I collected for Educator’s Express.
If I had $10 million, I would: Start a foundation to help strengthen public schools and assist all students.
•Marlena “Marlee” Anne Murphy of Salisbury, daughter of Jim and Natalie Murphy.
High school clubs/sports: varsity soccer, club soccer, junior varsity volleyball, club volleyball, Key Club, National Honor Society, political science, Student Government Association, Latin club.
Volunteer work: Habitat for Humanity Restore, office, fundraisers, coordinated volunteers for the construction of a home; Saturday School at Knox Middle, organized a group of high schoolers to tutor for second semester every Saturday.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Church, chair of vacation Bible school, middle school junior counselor, Children’s Ministries, youth group, mission trips, All-Conference soccer player, All-County soccer, scholar athlete, chief junior marshal, attended Tar Heel Girls State.
Advice to freshmen: Integrity is key. When you graduate it’s not going to matter how many awards you received, how well you did in your sport or if you were the most popular kid. It’s how you feel about the person you’ve become and the decisions you’ve made.
Favorite high-school memory: Dressing ridiculously with my friends for the football championship game in the fall.
Proudest high-school moment: Winning the county and conference championship in soccer this year.
If I had $10 million, I would: Buy a house and use the rest to pay for the building of Habitat homes around the world.
•Steven Thomas Page of Salisbury, son of Tommy and Mary Willis Page.
High school clubs/sports: Varsity tennis, All-County, All-County Player of the Year, All-Conference, All-Region, regional champion, All-State, Conference Player of the Year; varsity cross country, Key Club, math team, Spanish club, Latin club, Student Government Association.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Eagle Scout, National Honor Society, junior marshal, Junior Rotarian, AP Scholar with Distinction, Rowan County United Way Service Above Self award, Morehead-Cain scholarship nominee, Air Force Mathematics and Science award, the G.D. Yost Mathematics award, Mayor’s Award, N.C. Scholars, PTSA Scholar, PTSA APPLE scholarship recipient, Patrick Virtue Outward Bound Memorial Scholarship recipient, All-A Honor Roll.
Advice to freshmen: Take the most challenging courses available and study for AP exams because they help in college and save money if you get college credit.
Favorite high-school memory: Our men’s tennis team qualifying all six players for the state championship tournament.
Proudest high-school moment: Winning tennis regionals as a sophomore, junior and senior and making All-State senior year.
If I had $10 million, I would: Save and invest, travel the world and create a philanthropic tennis foundation.
South Rowan
• Edmund Alexander Charlton of Kannapolis, son of Carmen Hartley.
High school clubs/sports: Science club, National Honor Society, U.S. Patriots club, Spanish club, drafting club.
Volunteer work: Canned food drives, Human Society, Relay for Life, Operation Christmas Child.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: President of drafting club, AP calculus award, AkzoNobel Science Scholarship, SAT scholarship, Embry-Riddle Scholar Award, academic letter for four semesters.
Advice to freshmen: Always try your best every day from the first day as a freshman to your last day as a senior.
Favorite high-school memory: Building a replica airplane for my civil aviation senior project with my engineering teacher Keith Anderson.
Proudest high-school moment: Being accepted to the aerospace department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
If I had $10 million, I would: Take care of my family, give some to charity and invest the rest.
• Joel William Luther of China Grove, son of Steve and Jane Luther.
High school clubs/sports: Student Body president, Junior Civitans director, Interact Club Vice president, YCI Student Leader, National Honors Society, American Patriots’ Club, Science Club, School Improvement Team.
Volunteer work: Main Street Mission, Rowan Helping Ministries, Service Committee Chairman, various outreach events at school.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: National Merit finalist, Chief Junior Marshal, AP Scholar, AP English Award, Dr. Alan King Exemplary Leadership Award, Lisa Christopher Memorial Scholarship, Salisbury Rotary Club Scholarship, five-time academic letter recipient, Tar Heel Boys State Delegate.
Advice to freshmen: Find something you’re passionate about and get involved! Make a difference while making the most of your high school career.
Favorite high-school memory: Just spending time and sharing laughs with friends.
Proudest high-school moment: Organizing the “Carnival Against Cancer” and donating more than $1,600 to the family of a local student with leukemia.
If I had $10 million, I would: Pay for my education, donate, invest and share a little bit with my friends and family.
• Robert Casey Raymond of Kannapolis, son of Bob and Debbie Raymond.
High school clubs/sports: Student Council Association, National Honor Society, Science Club, Interact Club, Drafting Club, American Patriots Club, varsity and junior varsity football, track and field.
Volunteer work: Main Street Mission, Rowan Helping Ministries, Loaves and Fishes Food bank, CROP Walk, Service South Rowan annual service project.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Member at Kerr Street United Methodist Church, team spiritual adviser for varsity football 2010, Team Above Self Award, academic letter recipient.
Advice to freshmen: Stay focused! Set personal goals and work until they are accomplished.
Favorite high-school memory: Spending time with my closest friends.
Proudest high-school moment: Vanquishing the A.L. Brown football team last year.
If I had $10 million, I would: Set aside $1 million for my children, put $5 million in a savings account, invest $3 million and spend the last $1 million on myself.
• Christina Villegas of China Grove, daughter of Cristina E. Villegas, Jaime Villegas.
High school clubs/sports: Junior Civitans, National Honor Society, Science Club, Student Council, karate.
Volunteer work: Sidekick Karate in China Grove, a black-belt and instructor.
Advice to freshmen: Take as many honors and Advanced Placement classes as possible, they aren’t as difficult as you may believe. Never give up, with hard work and determination anything is possible.
Favorite high-school memory: Hosting the first “South’s Got Talent” show sponsored by the Junior Civitans.
Proudest high-school moment: Getting accepted to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
If I had $10 million, I would: Pay for college first, then buy land to build the house I have already designed. I would give money to my family then create a scholarship fund for Hispanics.
West Rowan
• Joel Clifford Brittain, son of Jane and Mark Brittain.
High school clubs/sports: President of National Honor Society, Junior Classical League, West Rowan Crazies, marching band, Junior Civitans, All-County and All-Conference tennis, Young Life.
Volunteer work: Mission work in Baltimore, Upward basketball, Living Christmas Tree percussionist, helping cystic fibrosis in National Honor Society.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: First Baptist Church of Salisbury, All-County band, Army National Scholar/Athlete award, Marine’s scholastic excellence award, outstanding achievement awards in science and math.
Advice to freshman: Carpe diem.
Favorite high-school memory: Qualifying for the state tournament in tennis.
Proudest high-school moment: Winning the Big Kahuna talent contest.
If I had $10 million, I would: Help out the Carolina Panthers.
• Christopher Ryan Holmes of Salisbury, son of Robert and Tammy Holmes.
High school clubs/sports: Cross country, tennis, swimming, National Honor Society, Junior Classical League.
Volunteer work: Repair work at Rowan Helping Ministries.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Broyhill Leadership Conference, Tar Heel Boy’s State, junior marshal, All-County and All-Conference tennis and cross country.
Advice to freshmen: Stay true to yourself, believe in the Lord and never lose hope.
Favorite high-school memory: Being a part of the West Rowan Crazies at the football and basketball games.
Proudest high-school moment: Getting accepted into North Carolina State University.
If I had $10 million, I would: Donate to my church and the American Cancer Society, then invest the rest.
• Amanda Marie Matlock of Woodleaf, daughter of Jan and Jeff Matlock.
High school clubs/sports: Tennis, Junior Civitans, Relay for Life, Environmental Club, National Honor Society.
Volunteer work: Peer tutoring, Special Olympics, Thomas the Train.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: Skills USA Masonry Poster Contest.
Advice to freshmen: Don’t overextend yourself.
Favorite high-school memory: My one easy class, lifesports.
Proudest high-school moment: Revamping West Rowan Junior Civitans.
If I had $10 million, I would: Start homeless shelters out of abandoned buildings, donate to Special Olympics and buy a helicopter.
• Caitlin Nicole Suire of Woodleaf, daughter of Brian Steven Suire and Elizabeth Ramonda Topa.
High school clubs/sports: West Rowan Marching Band, Environmental Club, Junior Civitans, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Crazies.
Volunteer work: Peer tutoring, South River Church food bank, Special Olympics, tutoring the mentally challenged.
Other extra-curricular activities, honors: National Merit, History award, math award, science award.
Advice to freshmen: Work hard but make sure your enjoy yourself.
Favorite high-school memory: Anything in Mr. Trivette’s, Mr. Suther’s, Mrs. Rehkopf’s or Ms. Hrutkay’s classes.
Proudest high-school moment: Seeing an A in AP Calculus BC.
If I had $10 million, I would: Pay for my brother’s and my college, give a lot to our band, put a lot in savings and donate the rest.