Salisbury Academy alumni graduate from area high schools, plan for future
Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 25, 2015
Fourteen Salisbury Academy alumni graduated from area high school programs earlier this month.
Salisbury Academy has generated more than 265 alumni since the first graduating class of 1998.
“Each year, as our alumni complete high school, it is wonderful to hear about their accomplishments and the exciting experiences ahead of them,” said Head of School Beverly Fowler.
Michael Anderson graduated from Salisbury High School and has enlisted in the United States Army. During his high school career, Anderson volunteered with Rowan Helping Ministries, Big Sweep and the Veterans’ Center. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 442 for 10 years and ROTC for four years. Anderson is an Eagle Scout.
Coleman Bergsma graduated from Woodberry Forest School in Woodberry Forest, Virginia and plans to attend Furman University to study business and economics. He was a Walker Scholar at Woodberry and earned the Paladin Award for Furman University. During high school Bergsma was a member of the Peer Leadership Council and Orientation Team. He participated in Teens With A Mission at First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury. Bergsma also played basketball and golf and ran cross country while in high school. Bergsma is an Eagle Scout.
Luke Combs graduated from Salisbury High School and plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Combs was a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club. He participated in Teens With A Mission. He played tennis, swam, and ran cross country.
Chris Distin graduated from Gray Stone Day School and plans to study biology at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. While in high school, Distin was a member of the National Honor Society and an AP Scholar with Distinction. He volunteered with Badin Lake Rescue Kennel, Wake the World, and Special Olympics. He played tennis, swam and ran cross country. Distin won a state swimming championship, participated in regional swim meets, was an all-county swimmer, and Gray Stone Academic All Star. Distin is an Eagle Scout.
Asa Hollingsworth graduated from Salisbury High School and plans to study engineering at North Carolina State University. He earned a biology special projects award, art award, and community service award while at Salisbury High. Hollingsworth was a member of the National Honor Society, member of the Salisbury High School’s STEM Academy, member of student council, a calculus tutor, Upwards Basketball coach and Rowan Diagnostic student intern. He ran cross country and played basketball.
Ann Rollins Johnson graduated from Cannon School and plans to attend University of North Carolina Chapel Hill to study psychology. She was a member of Rho Kappa, the English Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and earned the Presidential Service Award. Johnson volunteered with Teens With A Mission, Special Olympics, Give Kids the World and Rowan Helping Ministries. She ran track, swam, and played soccer and tennis. Johnson was captain of the junior varsity and varsity tennis teams.
Jinesh Patel graduated from Salisbury High School and will study biology at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He was a member of the National Honor Society, a Junior Rotarian, Junior Marshal, STEM scholar with Distinction, and received the Citizenship Award from Salisbury Civitan Club. Patel volunteered at the W.G. Hefner VA Hospital, Habitat for Humanity and Pennies for Pasta. He earned the William A Whitaker scholarship.
Watson Pitner graduated from Salisbury High School and plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He was the Student Government Association president, an AP Scholar, named Most Independent Worker and was a member of the National Honor Society. Pitner volunteered with the city of Salisbury, Fulton Heights Neighborhood Association and Novant Rowan Medical Center. He earned an Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship and a Burger King Scholars Scholarship. Pitner played junior varsity and varsity soccer and earned a student-athlete award.
Katie Queen graduated from Rowan County home school and will attend Marietta College. Queen earned academic and theatre arts honors and was active with Piedmont Players Theater. Queen was a homeschooled student and traveled to Europe, experiencing different European cultures.
Casey Roswarski graduated from Salisbury High School and will study accounting at Arizona State University. She was a STEM Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, AP Scholar, and earned the Semper Fideles Award for musical excellence, Arizona State University New American University Presidential Scholarship, Rowan County Parent-Teacher-Student Association Scholarship, and the Mayor’s Award. Roswarski volunteered with Rowan Helping Ministries, Salisbury Academy, Smart Start Rowan, Relay for Life and Habitat for Humanity. She played varsity soccer and junior varsity basketball.
Isabella Rusher graduated from Salisbury High School and plans to study international business at the University of Richmond. She is a STEM scholar with distinction, member of the National Honors Society, all-state team member, and Junior Marshall. She volunteered with Teens With A Mission, Rowan Helping Ministries and Faithful Friends. Rusher played golf for four years and earned an NCAA Division I golf scholarship. While at Salisbury High she won individual and team state championships and was an all-conference player for four years.
Gabe Steinman graduated from Salisbury High School where he was valedictorian. He plans to study biology in the pre-veterinarian program at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He was an all-county scholar, Junior Rotatarian, member of the STEM Academy with Distinction, member of the Salisbury Youth Council, President of the National Honor Society, member of Junior Civitans and a member of the Key Club. Steinman volunteered with Teens With A Mission and was the founder of Hornet Help. He earned the Salisbury High School Parent-Teacher-Student Association Apple Scholarship, Akzonobel Science Scholarship, Barrel Bottom Boat Company Scholarship, and the Salisbury Rotary Service Award. He ran cross country, played golf and soccer, and was on the swim team. He was an all-conference and all-county golfer. Steinman is an Eagle Scout.
Alexandra Warren graduated from Salisbury High School and plans to attend Appalachian State University to study political science. She was a North Carolina Scholar, STEM Scholar, member of the Salisbury Youth Council, member of the Key Club, member of the Young Conservative’s Club, a Junior Civitan, Student Government Association member, and member of the National Honors Society. She earned the Mayor’s Award. Warren was also a varsity cheerleader.
Elle Wimmer graduated from Salisbury High School and will attend the University of Virginia to study biology and art history. She was a member of the Key Club, National Honor Society and Spanish Club. She was an AP Scholar, N.C. Scholar Athlete, Junior Rotarian, Chief Marshall of graduation, prom committee member and earned the N.C. Music Federation 45 point gold cup. She volunteered with Faithful Friends. Wimmer earned the First United Methodist Church scholarship and Salisbury High School Parent-Teacher Association scholarship. She played soccer and ran cross country, in which she earned a sportsmanship award.