Co-valedictorians recognized in Roseville, Eastpointe

ROSEVILLE/EASTPOINTE — When Austin Barnett was in the eighth grade, he set a goal for himself: to be valedictorian when he graduated from high school.

“I really wanted to be able to speak on graduation day,” he said. “I wanted that to be me. I really wanted to go for it.”

Barnett achieved his goal. As a member of the Roseville High School Class of 2023, Barnett is graduating as co-valedictorian alongside classmate Lakiya Reese. Because Barnett and Reese both graduated with a 4.214 grade-point average, they have been named as co-valedictorians. At press time last week, both students had speeches ready for the June 6 commencement ceremony at Bethesda Christian Church in Sterling Heights.

Barnett’s theme was “life is too short,” while Reese focused on perseverance.

“I’m letting the Class of 2023 know they can do anything, and how they got through COVID and were still able to learn,” Reese said. “Now we’re getting ready to walk across the stage.”

The Class of 2023 was in its freshman year when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. Barnett and Reese remember spending the rest of the year and their sophomore year attending school in a virtual format.

“It was a little difficult learning virtually,” Barnett said. “We missed out on everything socially that entire year. You didn’t see people. You didn’t talk to people unless it was through social media.”

“We also didn’t get to know our teachers really well,” Reese said. “It was also difficult how we learned. I’m in choir. We weren’t able to perform. It was awkward.”

“Senior year was the best year out of all of them,” Barnett said. “It went by so fast. I was constantly doing something.”

“It’s bittersweet. We’re happy everyone is graduating and going out on our own, and it’s sad we have all these memories to look back on,” Reese said.

Barnett will attend Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana, this fall to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. Reese will attend Macomb Community College and then move on to a university.

“I want to study foreign language. I want to study Spanish and Arabic,” Reese said. “I want to be a translator. I do wish to travel to Spanish- and Arabic-language countries.”

“Austin and Lakiya are two students that really exemplify what you look for in the top of your class. They are both involved in multiple school groups and events,” Principal Jason Bettin said. “It’s been a pleasure to watch them reach this point as seniors.”

Paige Tomala finished her senior year as the 2023 salutatorian. The other seven seniors rounding out the top 10 students were: Nevaeh Duerksen, Julia Fetty, Sydney Masterson, Katelynn Miller, Jessica Olinger, Eduard Telychkan and Drewann Widen.

Eastpointe High School

A celebratory mood also swept over Eastpointe High School with four students graduating as co-valedictorians with GPAs of 4.0 or higher: Jonah Cram, Rokhaya Lo, Ashton Sopko and TeAuna Sanford.

Cram stayed busy while attending EHS, participating in wrestling, robotics and National Honor Society. According to an Eastpointe Community Schools press release, Cram’s favorite class was anatomy and physiology, “because he found it so interesting to learn how our bodies work.” After graduation, Cram plans to attend Eastern Michigan University to study engineering.

While at EHS, Lo’s favorite class was pre-calculus. The co-valedictorian plans to attend Macomb Community College to study nursing. Sopko will attend MCC as well to study electrical engineering.

Putting her engineering skills to use, Sanford participated in the robotics club while at EHS. Her favorite classes were sculpture and Advanced Placement art because of the challenge they provided. After graduation, Sanford plans to attend Wayne State University to pursue studies in the biomedical field, psychology and/or microbiology.

Kayla Roberson earned the title of Class of 2023 salutatorian. While at EHS, she participated in volleyball, basketball, choir, food and hospitality, and student assembly. Last fall, Roberson was named Student of the Year at the Eastpointe-Roseville Chamber of Commerce Salute to Excellence 2022 award ceremony. Roberson plans to attend Saginaw Valley State University this fall.

Fifteen EHS students graduated in “gold” with a 3.0 GPA or higher. They were: Daesia Carter, Jeremiah Chambers, Jeremiah Chappell, Cheikh Diop, Alexander Edwards, Adam Hering, Akayla Martin, Shalijah Sanders, Chelsea Scott, Brieanna Spalsbury, Kaylin Taylor, Rayshawn Walker, La’Nai Ware, Aidan Warren and Dana Watson.

The EHS commencement ceremony was held June 1 at the Macomb Community College Sports and Expo Center in Warren.