Another school year concludes and the class of 2007 awaits the final bell to ring and announce their freedom. Those students strived and toiled throughout four years in order to hear ?Pomp and Circumstance? playing in the background as they will be handed their diploma.

One student each year is honored as valedictorian; collective grades from freshman to senior year top those of classmates. As part of tradition, Jaclyn Blackwell will present a valedictorian speech on behave of the senior class at graduation on May 24.

Palmer: What was your first reaction when you heard you were a valedictorian?

Blackwell: I felt honored and also was nervous because I haven?t done any public speaking before.

Palmer: How do you feel about giving a speech at graduation?

Blackwell: I have mixed feelings, I knew it is a great opportunity and yet it scares me, because I haven?t ever given a speech before.

Palmer: Have you thought about what you will speak about?

Blackwell: I think I am going to speak about how my friends, teachers and faculty at Fresno Christian have made my experience at this campus so good.

Palmer: Was being valedictorian an active goal and did you constantly think about your GPA throughout your early high school years?

Blackwell: The thought had crossed my mind about being valedictorian but really I kept my GPA up because I hold myself at a certain standard.

Palmer: What has been your academic inspiration?

Blackwell:I would say my academic inspiration is the idea that building good study and work habits now will be extremely beneficial in life.

Palmer: Where are you going to college?

Blackwell:I am going to California State University of Fresno because I wanted to stay in town for at least two years to get my GE (General Education) out of the way.

Palmer: Are you feeling any nostalgia about graduating? Why?

Blackwell: I think graduating is bittersweet. Everyone is excited to finish high school and go to college yet it?s never going to be the same. The people that we see every day, many we won?t ever see again.

Palmer: Have you been offered any scholarships?

Blackwell: I have accepted a scholarship at the Craig School of Business for Fresno State.

Palmer: What is your favorite memory of high school?

Blackwell: My favorite memory of high school is probably the coast trip this year.

Palmer: What are you most looking forward to next year?

Blackwell: I am looking forward to the new experience.

Palmer: Are you nervous about college?

Blackwell: I am not that nervous about college, at least yet, because I am staying in town. Only the school is changing for me.

Palmer: What advice would you give high school students?

Blackwell: My advice would be to stay focused in your school work but don?t forget to enjoy these four years and get involved.

Graduation will begin at 7 P.M., in the Peoples Church Sanctuary.

For information on Matthew Shattuck as Salutatorian, check out Brittany Lauber’s May 17, 2007, article, Profile on the Salutatorian: Looking beyond high school.