Gresham Community School’s top two seniors will share the stage Friday at the school’s commencement ceremony, but their academic journeys exemplify the word unique.
“Both are polar opposites and unique individuals,” said faculty adviser Brenda Hoffman. “One is very organized while the other is a free spirit.”
Valedictorian Lindsay Anderson participated in FFA for three years and served on the student council.
“She is very involved in the FFA and has the agricultural mind,” Hoffman said. “She plans to use the skills she obtained to get into agricultural education.”
While Anderson will pursue her passion at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, salutatorian Tana Jensen is looking farther west — Brigham Young University in Idaho and a degree in art education.
“Tana is all about the arts and she designs wonderful drawings,” Hoffman said. “Very talented.”
Jensen’s talent earned her multiple merit awards in 4-H art fair competitions.
The Class of 2014’s academic leaders grew up together and became friends despite their differing interests.
“Tana and I have been best friends since we have been kids,” Anderson said. “She always pushed me to be the best.”
Jensen said one of her favorite memories of high school came when she and Anderson were accepted to attend a national FFA leadership conference in Washington, D.C.
Anderson and Jensen said it will be difficult for the small class to go different ways.
“I have grown up with everyone in class, we are like brothers and sisters,” Anderson said. “The whole ride has been exciting.”
“We all have known each other since kindergarten and grew up together,” Jensen said. “We were like family.”
The 17 candidates for graduation Friday are Lindsay Anderson, Brittny Andrews, Tylena Bohl, Noah Boucher, Scott Cerveny Jr., Chase Denomie, Samuel Ewen, Tana Jensen, Anthony Juga, Ally Miller, Kyle Miller, Erin Munoz, Austin Olsen, Kimberly Petrich, Andrew Pleshek, Haley Schultz and Tracy Verstoppen.
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