Future Leader's
By Staff
Student honorees offer great perspective for the future
Christopher 'Chris' Stuart Atkins
Age: 17
Parents: Kenneth and Cindy Atkins
Activities: Wrestling, FFA, Football, National Honors Society, Bridge Program, Special Olympics, Relay for Life, Salvation Army Food Drive
GPA: 3.6
Future plans: I plan to run for Virginia state FFA officer next year and attend Virginia Tech's Agricultural Economics Program as a junior in college. After college and my year as an officer I will come back to Clarke County and give back to everyone and the community that helped me achieve my life goals.
What will you miss most about high school?: Although the last four years flew by, I will miss the great people I have met, but more importantly my friends who have been there for me through thick and thin.
What do you like most about life in Clarke County?: The reason I love Clarke County is the agricultural influence that can still be seen when I drive along the road, the close community that can not be found anywhere else, and above all the wonderful scenery.
What is your most embarrassing high school moment?: The most embarrassing moment in my high school career was during my senior year as Clarke County FFA president, at my first meeting I was saying the closing ceremonies and I lost my train of thought and said “Just in my label” instead of “Just in my labor” and everyone attending the meeting began to laugh.
Favorite food: Peanut butter and honey sandwich, I have eaten this sandwich since I was little and it brings back good memories.
Pets: Turtle, “Yurtle the Turtle”, donkey, “Donkey”, two goats, “Willie and Waylon.”
Christopher W. Liggett
Age: 17
Parents: Christopher J. Liggett and Nancy Ann Liggett
GPA: 3.75 unweighted
Activities: Athletic Activity: Football, Wrestling, Tennis, Swim Team. Other: American Legion Boys State, West Point Summer Leadership Seminar 2007, Officer's Christian Fellowship Camp, Superintendent's Student Advisory Board, Cultural Adventures Club, Technology Students Association, Recycling Club, Habitat for Humanity Volunteer, Football Camp, Kids Voting Volunteer, Church Youth Group
Future plans: Graduate from the United States Military Academy and serve as an Army officer.
What will you miss most about high school?: I will miss all of the good friends, students and teachers that I have made over the years.
What do you like most about life in Clarke County?: I like that is a small town. I really enjoy getting to know everyone and feeling like part of a community.
What is your most embarrassing high school moment?: I was chosen to be a cheerleader for the Powder Puff football game.
Favorite food: A big juicy cheeseburger
Pets: 4-year-old German short-haired pointer and a 2-year-old, three-legged cat, Cocoa and Lily.
John Robert Lilly
Age: 18
Parents: Robert H. Mary Keith Lilly
Activities: Varsity Basketball, Varsity Track and Field, DECA, National Honor Society
GPA: 3.7
Future plans: I plan to attend the University of Mary Washington where I will major in business and go into the Tourism and Recreation field.
What will you miss most about high school?: I will miss the close community of friends and teachers.
What do you like most about life in Clarke County?: I like being able to live in a rural area with so much natural beauty.
What is your most embarrassing high school moment?: When I had to sing in front of my Leadership class.
Favorite food: Steak
Pets: Penny, my Jack Russell and Missy the cat.
Danielle Nicole Moyer
Age: 17
Parents: Jim Moyer and Kim Stutzman
GPA: 4.0 Unweighted, 4.87 weighted
Activities: International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate, LFCC Dual Enrollment Student, Alpha Honor Roll (9-12), National Honor Society member (11,12), Superintendent's Student Advisory Committee (9-12), DECA (10-12), Student Government (9-12), Yearbook Sport's Editor (11), Prom Committee Chairman (11), Spanish Club (9-12), Varsity Basketball, Varsity Cross Country, Varsity Soccer, Varsity Outdoor Track, Clarke County Youth Soccer Coach and Referee
Future plans: I will be attending the University of Virginia in the fall where I plan to study International Relations, Spanish and History. Although I am not entirely sure of my career path I view these three subjects as important areas of knowledge for my future plans. I also plan on studying abroad at least once while in college in order to have a more worldly experience that will help me with my studies. I also look forward to continuing community service by joining volunteer organizations that help in a variety of ways, including any service in third world countries.
What will you miss most about high school?: I will definitely miss my friends, teammates, coaches and teachers who have been by my side for so many years through good times and bad times. So many people have continuously supported me in all of my endeavors by either challenging me to work harder or cheering for me on the sidelines and I appreciate each of them for helping me become successful. It will be very hard leaving them this coming fall as I head off to school without them.
What do you like most about life in Clarke County?: I like how the community comes together to rally support for one another. Whether it's the Homecoming parade or a state championship game, a large base of our population makes the trip out to cheer on other members of the community. As a youth soccer coach, I enjoy it when parents tell me that their child looks up to me after watching me in so many sporting activities. It truly shows how close of a community we are in Clarke County.
What is your most embarrassing high school moment?: After struggling for hours to think of an answer for this question, I have determined that I do not have any embarrassing moments that stand out because I tend to not take anything what happens too seriously. I have a personality that is confident and easy-going which allows me to always laugh at myself instead of fretting over what others may think.
Favorite food: How could I ever choose just one? I love pizza, shrimp Alfredo, ice cream and all types of fruit.
Pets: Two dogs, a yellow lab named Sasha and a black lab named Dolly.
Kylie Marie Petti
Age: 18
Parents:?
GPA: Unweighted: 3.738/ Weighted: 4.469
Activities: Dance Ballet, Jazz and Modern at the Blue Ridge Studio for the Performing Arts (2002-2008), Girl Scouts (1995-2008), Clarke County High School Concert Choir (2004-2008), Employed Part time at Pack's Frozen Custard (2004-2008), Attended the Summer Residential Governor's School for Humanities (2007), IB Art Student
Future plans: I have not yet decided which university I will be attending in the fall of 2008, but I have narrowed down the choices to Emory University, American University and possibly the University of Virginia (if accepted from wait-list). I plan to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism so that I may further my love of writing and inform others about the larger global society we live in. I will continue to study Spanish in college and to take advantage of study abroad options. I also plan to minor in Dance.
What will you miss most about high school?: More than anything, I will miss the people I have met in high school. There are teachers at Clarke County who have allowed me to reexamine the way I think, and friends who have challenged and shaped me. I look forward to the people I will meet in the future, but it will be strange not to be surrounded by the teachers and friends I have known for the past four years.
What do you like most about life in Clarke County?: I like living in Clarke County because of its small-town feel. We are close enough to larger cities without being considered the “middle of nowhere,” but the county still offers a sort of rural charm. I like how common place it is to see a familiar face, and to be greeted with a genuine smile.
What is your most embarrassing high school moment?: I think that at some point, everyone can relate to the quiet embarrassment of being met with the fury of the crossing guard after accidentally forgetting to turn on the turn signal. I don't think I ever made that mistake again.
Favorite food: Chicken Pesto Pizza
Pets: Dog, Mindy
Carey Vaughn
Age: 18
Parents: Heidi Wylegala and Glenn Vaughn
GPA: Unweighted 3.3/ Weighted 4.0
Activities: CCHS Screamin' Eagles Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Indoor Drumline, Principle Understudy in the production of the Sound of Music, Study violin at Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy, Civil War reenacting.
Future plans: I want to spend my life doing something meaningful and worthwhile. I recognize that the world and the interrelations of it's populace often balance precipitously between progress and deterioration, for as long as I am able, I want to actively and personally effect a positive impact to the furthest extent of my abilities. In order to position myself to do so, I intend to attend Lord Fairfax Community College for 1-2 years to help me choose a major. I am most strongly considering Political Science or Philosophy. I will then transfer into a state college and complete my four year degree. Following school, I plan to enlist in the U.S. Navy and enter Naval Special Warfare, where I would apply my college degree to commission as an offer. From there, I would look to becoming politically involved or working for the government.
What will you miss most about high school?: I will miss the priceless relationships and deep bonds I have forged with my friends and the school groups I participate in. They have become such an important part of my lie that it seems strange to imagine leaving them.
What do you like most about life in Clarke County?: Clarke County is a perfect blend of tradition and progressiveness. The community as a whole advances, excels and improves daily while never losing sight of its time-honored virtues and profound sense of ethics. We appreciate what we have and continue to strive for new heights in accomplishment and the fulfillment of our values.
What is your most embarrassing high school moment?: During our final dress rehearsal of the school's production of the Sound of Music, I completely misremembered the location of a costume change. I was supposed to deliver several lines, exit backstage and wait for a moment, then reenter for the remainder of the scene. Instead I exited and dashed off to conduct my costume change, making for a somewhat awkward situation onstage in my absence.
Favorite food: Spaghetti
Pets: Two cats, one the venerable family pet, the other a remarkably personable stray who showed up one day and made a ruckus until we fed him. He's stuck around ever since.