Spencerport names Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Heather Newton (l) and Jen Smith (r) holding their medallions signifying the honor they achieved.

Spencerport names Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Spencerport High School Principal Ty Zinkiewich and Assistant Principal Laurie Boughter announced that Jennifer Smith earned Valedictorian honors with the highest four-year cumulative grade point average (4.6667) in the graduating Class of 2006. Heather Newton is the Salutatorian of the class (4.5918).

"We are extremely fortunate here in Spencerport to work with countless students with unlimited talent," said Zinkiewich. "Jennifer and Heather have demonstrated what one can accomplish through hard work and perseverance. Achieving Valedictorian and Salutatorian status among a cohort of over 300 students is an amazing accomplishment and one that is a significant milestone in their young lives. Jennifer and Heather are richly deserving of this achievement and they certainly have bright futures ahead of them."

Both will address their classmates at commencement ceremonies at 8 p.m. on June 23 at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester.

Smith lives in Spencerport with her parents David and Cathy Smith. Sister Katelyn was valedictorian in the Class of 2004. She is a member of the National Honor Society, a four-year Student Council officer, and participated in Lacrosse, Soccer and Spanish Club. Smith participated in the New Visions program preparing for a pharmaceutical career. Through New Visions, she interned at Tops Pharmacy, Monroe Community and Strong Memorial Hospitals. She plans to study Pharmacology at the University of Pittsburgh.

Newton, sister Tracy and parents William and Diane Newton live in Spencerport. Like her parents, Heather will attend RIT. She started her college career early through Spencerport's 3-1-3 program, taking two classes at SUNY Brockport each semester.

Newton is a four-year member of the Cross Country team, played basketball, lacrosse, and ran track. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, president of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and plays clarinet in school bands. She is active in the group First Priority, president of her youth group at church and sings in the church choir.