Published: May 31, 2009 09:12 pm      

VHS top grads moving on with accomplishments

VIDOR — The Vidor High School Valedictorian and Salutatorian have accomplished much as students and will now attempt to do so as they enter the next phase of their lives.

Valedictorian for the Vidor High School Class of 2009 is Sarah Elizabeth Paine. She is the daughter of Carl and Terry Payne, and a member of the UIL Literary Criticism team. She has been on the All A honor roll all years, and is a Texas High School Aerospace Scholar.

Sarah was chosen to participate in Lamar University’s Go Women for Engineering, Science and Technology and took first place with her team in the Channel Six Challenge.

She is a member of the DuPont Goodrich Federal Credit Union Student Advisory Council, and has been president of the VHS chapter of JETS (Junior Engineering and Technological Society).

Sarah has served as president of CHIMP (Caring, Helping, and Improving My Planet environmental club) and was also the club sweetheart. She is a member of the UIL math team, History Club vice president, Spanish Club secretary, French Club secretary, a member of Key Club and National Honor Society, and has participated in UIL with journalism.

Sarah will attend Lamar University to major in Chemical Engineering. Her scholarships include a $60,000 Lamar University Mirabeau Scholarship, Stark Foundation Reading scholarships totaling $3,500, a $300 honor graduate award, and a $3,760 Channel Six Challenge scholarship.

In addition, she will receive a DuPont Goodrich Federal Credit Union scholarship for $1,000, a VHS advanced placement scholarship for $1,439, and a VHS Foreign Language Club scholarship for $100. Sarah received a President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence as well as $250 per semester for co-enrollment at Lamar Orange.

Sarah will also receive the State of Texas Honor award, which pays one year tuition. Her interests include planning her June 12 wedding, cooking and baking, and watching “Scrubs.”

VHS Salutatorian for 2008-2009 is Jeremy Selvidge, the son of Kelly and Becky Selvidge.

Jeremy is a bassoonist who was in all region band all four years, all region orchestra three years, a four-year all area qualifier, a member of the 2007 All State Symphonic Band, qualified for Texas State Solo and Ensemble contest all four years, and is a Texas Music Merit Scholar.

He is a member of the UIL Literary Criticism team, was the Academic Challenge team captain, and was a participant in the High School Aerospace Scholars program at NASA Johnson Space Center.

He earned the distinction of being a National Merit Scholar, is band captain, and served as treasurer for the National Honor Society. Jeremy has maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout high school and is a senior class ambassador.

He will attend Texas A & M University this fall as a physics major. Jeremy’s scholarships include the Texas A & M Opportunity Award in the amount of $20,000, the Top Ten Percent State Scholarship Award from A & M ($2,000), the President’s Endowed Scholarship from A & M in the amount of $12,000, and the A & M Director’s Excellence Award for $10,000.

He will also receive a $2,000 Merit Plus scholarship from A & M, a $24,000 NM Recognition Award from A & M, the Texas Petrochemicals Sons and Daughters Award for $2,000, and the National Merit Scholarship of $2,500.  His other awards make the total monies from A&M $70,000.

Other scholarships include the Channel Six Challenge Scholarship for $3,750, an honor graduate award for $300, a VHS Foreign Language scholarship for $100, a President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence, and a three-year perfect attendance award for $540.

Jeremy enjoys playing the piano and reading, as well as watching “NCIS” and hanging out with friends. He is active in the youth group at First Baptist Church.