By CHARLENE PAUL
Moapa Valley Progress
The Moapa Valley High School will be honoring no less than seven valedictorians and two salutatorians during the 2018 Commencement Exercises held Thursday, May 24 at 7 pm.
This year’s group of high achievers are all girls. Each of them are unique in their interests and in the roads that they have taken to reach the top of their class. And each has big plans for the future.
The MVHS Class of 2018 valedictorians are Tatyana Bullock, Bailey Bunker, Sierra Harding, Rylee May, Macy Morgan, Sedona Thomas and Emma Thompson. Salutatorians are Baleigh Bond and Kristina Jorgensen.
Tatyana Bullock is one focused young woman! Realizing her goal of being a valedictorian meant retaking Algebra I and Pre-Calculus. “After getting B’s in both of those classes, I decided to take them over so I could bring my grades up,” explained Tatyana.
During high school, she has been very active in 4-H and FFA, serving as FFA president. She has raised and shown at least four animals – steers, lambs, goats – for the past eight years. She has shown and competed in the Clark County Fair and the Nevada Jr. Livestock Show, as well as Jackpot shows and fairs in Arizona, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and California. She also participated in MVHS Band and Jazz Band.
She plans to attend the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) in the fall where she will study to become an exotic animal veterinarian. She wants to work with animals that most people only see in zoos. She would love to go to Africa and volunteer at an animal sanctuary and help with endangered species.
She received a full-ride scholarship to UNR, the Anderson Family Scholarship, and the Clark County Farm Bureau Scholarship. She was accepted to Oklahoma State University, Utah State University, and Kansas State University, as well as UNR. She chose UNR because the in-state tuition was more doable than the others, and she has family close by.
“I don’t see humans as flawed beings,” said Tatyana. “Everyone is important.”
“Ever since I was a little girl, I was determined to get straight A’s,” said Bailey Bunker. “Being valedictorian just kind of fell into that.”
Bailey will attend BYU-Provo in the fall where she will work toward a degree in radiology. “I know it’s kind of weird, but physics is my favorite subject,” explained Bailey. “I just love science.”
Throughout high school, Bailey has participated and competed in Soccer, Track, and Rodeo. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society. She loves reading, snowboarding, and going with her family to their cabin.
She received the NV Energy Scholarship, the Overton Power District Scholarship, the Wes Adams Memorial Scholarship, the United Services Blood Drive Scholarship, and the National Honor Society Scholarship. She earned her LDS Young Woman Recognition medallion as well as the Honor Bee.
“I am very dedicated to anything I do,” said Bailey. “But the truth is, I could spend the rest of my life riding my horse.”
“Since the ninth grade, I decided I could do it,” said Sierra Harding when asked about being a valedictorian. “I know how to work hard and how to get the job done.”
This fall, Sierra will attend Southern Utah University (SUU) in Cedar City, Utah. Her major is undeclared, but she plans to study aviation and psychology. She would love to be a pilot and also learn about all sorts of other things.
Sierra served on the MVHS Student Council and is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society. As a member of the Student Council, she was able to help plan activities and be involved in student government. She also earned her LDS Young Woman Recognition medallion.
Sierra competed in JV Volleyball, Varsity Volleyball, JV Softball, Varsity Softball (Captain), and Band. She has also worked as a lifeguard for three years.
She is the recipient of the Alyn Beck and Igor Soldo Scholarship, the Booster Club Scholarship, the Anderson Family Scholarship, and the Overton Power District Scholarship.
After receiving an award for straight A’s in fifth grade, Rylee May’s dad challenged her to get straight A’s for the rest of her school years. “My dad challenged me to do it, so I did,” said Rylee.
This fall, Rylee will attend Southern Utah University (SUU) in Cedar City, Utah. She received a full-tuition scholarship from the university and plans to use it to study nursing.
While in high school, Rylee has been an active member of the Student Council for all four years. She played JV Volleyball (Captain), Varsity Volleyball, and Softball. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society. She has been a photography assistant for Monica Dominguez for three years, and she will work as a lifeguard this summer. She earned her Young Woman Recognition medallion.
She was awarded a full-tuition scholarship from SUU, the Booster Club – Brent May Scholarship, the Scott and Linda Carson HE AKAMAI a NANI Ho’I Scholarship, and the George W. Turner Memorial Scholarship.
When asked about being a valedictorian, Macy Morgan said, “I have had my eye on it for about ten years, ever since I figured out what it was all about. Having family support has been so important in achieving this goal.”
Macy has been active in both sports and academics during her high school years. She played Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Softball, and was on the Swim team. She has been the yearbook editor for four years and is a member of the National Honor Society (Vice President), and the National Spanish Honor Society. She loves the outdoors, archery, shooting, and hiking.
She plans to attend Southern Utah University (SUU) during the summer and fall of 2018 and the spring of 2019 before serving a mission for the LDS church. She received a full-tuition scholarship to SUU, the Moapa Valley Telephone Scholarship, the Overton Power District Scholarship, and the Moapa Valley Water District Scholarship. She earned her LDS Young Woman Recognition medallion as well as the Honor Bee.
Her goal is to become a pediatrician and to be able to teach kids.
“Being a valedictorian is just a symptom of what I wanted to do,” said Sedona Thomas. “Seven years ago, I decided I wanted to attend an Ivy League university.” She accomplished that goal when she was accepted to Columbia University in Manhattan where she intends to earn a double major in mechanical engineering and philosophy.
Throughout her years at Moapa Valley High School, Sedona has been involved in Nevada Speech and Debate (President, two years), National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Varsity Quiz, Orchestra, JV Soccer (Captain), Varsity Soccer, JV Flag Football (Captain), Varsity Flag Football, and Swim Team. She was the Junior Class President.
Sedona earned her Girl Scout Gold Award at the end of 2016, the hundred-year anniversary of the Girls Scouts of America. For her 100-hour service project, she worked with the local fire department to found the Pirate Prevention Program. This program provides kits by RTC of Nevada. The kits are kept in cars and have medical information for first responders to use in case of an emergency.
She received the Nevada Governor’s Volunteer Recognition Award, as well as various private scholarships.
Since the third grade, Emma Thompson has worked hard to maintain good grades. “My family and my teachers have always supported me,” Emma said. “They encouraged me and helped me all along the way.”
Emma leaves for BYU-Provo next month. Her goal is to be a child life specialist and work in a pediatric hospital. She also plans to minor in music.
Emma has been active in Orchestra, Pep Band, Marching Band, Volleyball, Cross Country, and Track. She is a member of the National Honor Society and served as president this year. She is also a member of the National Spanish Honor Society. She is a four-year graduate of seminary in the LDS church, and she earned her LDS Young Woman Recognition medallion.
She received a full-tuition scholarship from BYU, the Silver State School Credit Union Scholarship, the United Blood Drive Scholarship, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Scholarship, Moapa Valley Performing Arts Scholarship, Nevada Telecommunications Association Scholarship, the You Deserve It Scholarship, and the National Honor Society Scholarship.
“Kindness is the most important quality anyone can have,” said Emma. “I think the world needs more of that today.”
“You’ve reached Bond – Baleigh Bond,” says the message on Baleigh’s cellphone. This is one Salutatorian with a good sense of humor.
“I decided in the sixth grade that I would get the best grades I could,” Baleigh explains.
Throughout high school, Baleigh has been active in Track, Flag Football, Marching Band, and Pep Band. She was FCCLA State Officer and is a member of the National Honor Society. She loves the outdoors, sports, reading, poetry, and art.
She plans to attend Dixie State University (DSU) in the fall but is undecided about a major. “I like graphic design,” she explained. “But I just don’t know what I want to do yet.”
She received the Grant M. Bowler Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship, the Scott and Linda Carson HE AKAMAI a NANI Ho’I Scholarship, and the “M” Powered Award of Excellence.
“Trying to get the best grades I could was not really a goal,” said Kristina Jorgensen when asked about being selected as a salutatorian. “My parents just taught me to do it.”
At Moapa Valley High School, Kristina has been active in FCCLA and received a silver medal at the State level for her recycle/redesign project of turning candy wrappers into a purse. She loves reading, archery, and playing the piano. She is punctual and loves quotes.
She plans to attend Utah State University (USU) in the fall where she will study to become a veterinarian. “I have loved all kinds of animals my whole life,” said Kristina. “I just love being around them and taking care of them.”
Kristina was awarded the USU Dean’s Scholarship and the Scott and Linda Carson HE AKAMAI a NANI Ho’I Scholarship.
