As the class of 2007 anticipates graduation, the ceremony will represent the culmination of academic achievement throughout high school for senior Matthew Shattuck. As salutatorian, he has maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 4.23 and will address the school along side Valedictorian, Jaclyn Blackwell at graduation on May 24.

Lauber: What was your reaction when you found out you were salutatorian?

Shattuck: I wasn?t very surprised, but it?s nice to know that I?m getting rewarded for maintaining good grades.

Lauber: How do you feel about making a speech at graduation? Do you feel comfortable speaking in front of large audiences?

Shattuck: Speaking in front of people is no big deal for me. I just pretend that I?m having a conversation with someone else.

Lauber: What is your speech going to be on?

Shattuck: At this point, I don?t know. Come to graduation and find out.

Lauber: Where does your academic inspiration come from?

Shattuck: Academic inspiration: none. However, I get my hard work ethic from my parents. All I do is work until the work is done.

Lauber: What college are you attending and why?

Shattuck: I?m attending California State University of Fresno in the fall, because it is close to home and I don?t have to deal with the stress of moving away. My parents will still be there to support me when I have trouble and knowing that they?re behind me makes the entire experience less stressful.

Lauber: What high school achievement are you proudest of?

Shattuck: I?d have to say I?m proudest of winning the NSPA Online Pacemaker last year as Webmaster.

Lauber: Was it ever difficult to maintain your grades? Why?

Shattuck: I struggled in Jon Hall?s AP History class. That class was my only ?B? in high school. However, I can say I did my best, because every free moment I had was spent studying history.

Lauber: What was the hardest class you took? Why?

Shattuck: While my only ?B? came from AP History, my hardest class was (Greg) Stobbe?s junior honors English. His class was more than just an English class; it was a philosophy class. I really enjoyed that class, but he does grade very hard.

Lauber: Were you thinking about your GPA throughout high school in hopes of being valedictorian or salutatorian?

Shattuck: Maybe a little, but my primary goal was not to be the best in the class. My goal was to do the best that I can do.

Lauber: Were you disappointed that you were not valedictorian?

Shattuck: Not really.

Lauber: Is there a downside to being salutatorian?

Shattuck: None.

Lauber: What advice would you give to the rest of the high school?

Shattuck: Like I said in chapel, be sure to thank the people who give you your greatest opportunities. For more information check out Shattuck’s senior column Opportunity for thanks.

Lauber: What is your favorite high school memory?

Shattuck: Overall, I?d have to say the NSPA Online Pacemaker. This past year, I?m not sure, but jousting with Will Hierholzer at Field Day was pretty fun.

The graduation ceremony will begin at 7 P.M. in the Peoples Church sanctuary. For more information check out Kristina Palmer’s May 17, 2007, article, Profile on the Valedictorian: Striving for personal standards.