Golden Grads 2007: Buchanan High School
Monday, Mar. 24, 2008
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Megan Ashjian
Valedictorian, AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Dick and Jacquie Ashjian
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.296
Number of AP courses: Five
Activities: Four years varsity soccer (junior and senior captain), junior varsity softball,California Scholarship Federation lifetime member, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Key Club, S.O.S. Club, Ambiance fashion show, Powder Puff Football (first annual Multiple Sclerosis Society Bowl), Every 15 Minutes participant
Community service: Clovis Animal Shelter, Children's Hospital Central California, Relay for Life, math tutor, Salvation Army bell ringer, Poverello House
Post-graduate plans: California State University, Fresno, majoring in civil engineering and playing for the women's soccer team
Kristin Beshears
Valedictorian
Parents: Les and Nancy Beshears
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.3
Activities: Girl Scouts, Science Fair, Key Club, winter percussion, Art Club, badminton, concert and marching band
Community service: UNICEF, Girl Scouts' Twilight Camp, Relay for Life, tutoring
Post-graduate plans: Fresno State, majoring in business
Daniel Blanchat
Valedictorian
Parents: Greg and Kristi Blanchat
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.2
Activities: Student senate, peer counseling, FCA, Court of Honor, Matt Mueller Memorial Blood Drive, math team, varsity football, Chess Club, Ambiance
Community service: Kids' Day, Los Rancheros Guild fundraiser dinner, Mexico Caravan Missions freshman year, Fort Washington Elementary School carnivals
Post-graduate plans: Smittcamp Family Honors College full ride scholarship at Fresno State, studying pre-dental. Future plans of orthodontics.
Ava Bolich
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Jim and Deb Bolich
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.3
Number of AP courses: Five
Activities: Rally Club, Spanish Club, Drama Club, varsity cheer, varsity cheer captain, basketball cheer crew, sophomore class secretary, junior class president, Associated Student Body spirit commissioner
Community service: Various activities through Leadership, Woods Elementary School cheer coach
Rachel Bricker
Valedictorian, AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Chris and Debbie Bricker
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.21
Number of AP courses: Five
Activities: Varsity tennis, varsity track and field, FCA president, NHS vice president, CSF, ASB commissioner of communications and historian, Mathlete, Chess Club
Community service: Little Bears Tennis Camp coach
Post-graduate plans: University of California, San Diego
Songita Choudhury
Valedictorian, AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Dr. Gour and Basanti Choudhury
Hometown: Kodiak, Ala.
GPA: 4.313
Number of AP courses: Six
Activities: Orchestra, "My Fair Lady" spring musical, Spanish Club, Indian Club, math team, Science Olympiad, Robotics, CSF, NHS, California State University, Bakersfield Math Field Day, Fresno State Math Field Day
Community service: Clovis Public Library volunteer, Clovis Dialysis Center volunteer, Marjaree Mason Center Toy Drive
Post-graduate plans: Fresno State, double majoring in biomedical physics and electrical engineering, then medical school
Loren Eakins
AP Scholar of Distinction
Anthony Escobedo
Valedictorian
Jennika Farley
Valedictorian
Parents: David and Randi Farley
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.0
Activities: Junior Ladies Assisting Retarded Citizens, freshman soccer team, four years varsity track and field, Senior Council secretary (church council for youth activities)
Community service: Grape vineyard volunteer, Fresno Ally-Way clean up, Clovis Railroad Park clean up volunteer
Post-graduate plans: Brigham Young University, majoring in public health education
Jordan Flaugher
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Merle and Jonathan Flaugher
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.2
Number of AP courses: Seven
Activities: CSF lifetime member, Principal's Honor roll, High Honor Roll, National Honor Roll, Academic Block "B," Teen Air/Army National Guard, National Guard Teen Advisory Panel, California National Guard State Panel, California National Guard Teen Adventure Camp squad leader, junior varsity and varsity badminton, Congressional Student Leadership Conference attendee and alumni, Spanish Club, Indian Club, principal's advisory, recipient of the Air Force Commander's Leadership Scholarship
Community service: Guard Teen Panel service, Guard State Panel, Christmas toy giveaway
Post-graduate plans: Fresno State, with an Air Force R.O.T.C. scholarship, then become an Air Force pilot, then NASA.
Justin Gillis
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Jack and Linda Gillis
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.25
Number of AP courses: Six
Activities: Band, orchestra, jazz band, salutatorian, CSF lifetime member, NHS, National Honor Roll, honor jazz, Downbeat Soloist Award, National Science Merit Award, National History Day, Science Olympiad, Destination Imagination, Spanish Club
Community service: Sierra Service Project, San Joaquin Valley Jazz
Post-graduate plans: University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in neuroscience
Chelsea Gonzales
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Anna M. Gonzales
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.24
Number of AP courses: Seven
Activities: Spanish Club vice president, History Day (first place at county and state levels 2005, 2007), Junior LARCs, math team, yearbook editor-in-chief, CSF, NHS
Community service: Poverello House volunteer, Junior LARCS participant and volunteer, Central California Children's Hospital volunteer, Alzheimer's Memory Walk volunteer, volunteer counselor at Assisting Retarded Citizens Fresno
Post-graduate plans: Johns Hopkins University, majoring in environmental engineering
Scott Hamm
Valedictorian, AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Robert and Laureen Hamm
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.31
Number of AP courses: Six
Activities: BHS jazz band, marching band, orchestra, concert band, History Day, Science Olympiad, orchestra member in BHS drama productions, state honor band, county honor jazz band, county honor band, CSF lifetime member
Community service: Clovis Community Hospital volunteer, Church Orchestra member
Post-graduate plans: Fresno State, Smittcamp Honors program
Elizabeth Harvey
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Jack and Lorie Harvey
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.3
Number of AP courses: seven
Activities: CSF Academic Scholar of Distinction, CSF lifetime member, CSF president, Principal's Honor Roll, High Honor Roll, Academic Block "B," co-founder and secretary of Environmental Club
Community Service: volunteer at Saint Agnes Medical Center
Post-graduate plans: University of California, Davis
Laura Heaton
AP Scholar of Distinction
Stephanie Hoang
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Van Nguyen and Binh Hoang
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.8
Number of AP courses: 11
Activities: Robotics Team, forensics and debate, Writing Club, Destination Imagination
Community service: Emergency Room volunteer at Saint Agnes Medical Center
Post-graduate plans: Brown University or Reed College, neurosurgery
Alex Hubbard
Valedictorian, AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Jeff and Dianne Hubbard
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.3
Number of AP courses: Seven
Activities: Key Club, CSF, varsity basketball, 8th-grade basketball assistant coach at Alta Sierra, link crew, Matt Mueller Memorial Blood Drive, Bear Guitar, Ambiance, Human Relations Days, elementary and middle school leadership conferences
Community service: Poverello House, basketball coach, tutor, Children's Hospital Central California
Post-graduate plans: UCLA
Kimi Ibello
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Rick Ibello and Ellen Itani
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.15
Number of AP courses: Six
Activities: History Day, student leadership, track and field, Key Club, Running Society, Spanish Club, Junior LARCs, Central California Junior Young Buddhists Association, CSF, NHS
Community service: Poverello Homeless Shelter, California state cross country meet, elementary track and field meets, Fresno Buddhist church events, Clovis Community Church events, student tutoring, summer school aid, memory walk for the Alzheimer's Association, Special Olympics
Post-graduate plans: University of California, Irvine
Nicole Jones
Valedictorian, AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Richard Jones and Collette Cooney
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.3469
Number of AP courses: Nine
Activities: CSF lifetime member, forensics, forensics president 2006-07, Environmental Club co-founder and treasurer, Buchanan Aeronautics and Space Administration astronaut commandeer, Endeavor yearbook
Post-graduate plans: UC, San Diego, Warren College Honors Program
Katelyn Jundt
Valedictorian, AP Scholar of Distinction
Gagandeep Kaur
AP Scholar of Distinction
Alyssa Kee
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Jim and Terry Kee
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.1
Number of AP courses: Five
Activities: Ecology Club (ROP/AP environmental at Clovis High School), Future Farmers of America horse judging (Clovis FFA at Clovis East High School), speech and debate
Community service: Clovis Unified School District Aquatics Department and Visual and Performing Arts Department, Fresno County Office of Education Media Services, Clovis Rodeo Association, Central California Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, CUSD PASS program
Post-graduate plans: University of the Pacific, majoring in political science
Anna Koblik
Valedictorian
Parents: Yelena Koblik
Hometown: Omsk, Russia
GPA: 4.19
Activities: Japanese Language and Culture Club, French Club, Key Club, Frontline Christian Club, Asian Club senior class representative, math team, flutist for House of Gospel Slavic Baptist Church of Fresno
Community service: "Light the Night" walk, caroling at Valley Children's Hospital
Post-graduate plans: Fresno State, majoring in biology, then medical school to become a doctor
Danielle Layous
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Mark and Elizabeth Layous
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.6
Number of AP courses: Six
Activities: Cross country, track, French Club, Running Society, church youth group, CSF, NHS, math tutoring, Social Outreach Society
Community service: Tutoring, Interfaith Youth Conference, Locks of Love, Sierra Service Project, food bags for the homeless, Little Bears Running Camp, Christmas caroling at Valley Children's Hospital
Post-graduate plans: UCLA, majoring in French and International Relations
Yangyang Li
Valedictorian, AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Litao Yang and Yangrui Li
Hometown: Nanning, China
GPA: 4.4
Number of AP courses: Eight
Activities: Art Club treasurer, Asian Club, Japanese Club treasurer and dancer, math team (California State University, Bakersfield, team medley third place), freshman class treasurer, Drama Club set designer, Mole Day art contest, Martin Luther King art contest honor, New Jersey festival art honor, New Jersey district art contest honor
Community service: elementary tutor, Science Fair helper
Post-graduate plans: Berkeley Hass Business School and get a high-paying job
Kate Mattson
Valedictorian
Parents: Diane Mattson
Hometown: Reedley
GPA: 4.2
Activities: Three years varsity badminton, Spanish Club, Art Club, Key Club, CSF lifetime member
Community service: Poverello House volunteer, collected money to donate to UNICEF
Post-graduate plans: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, majoring in animal science
Briana McDonald
Valedictorian, AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Cheryl and James McDonald
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.54
Number of AP courses: Seven
Activities: French Club president, CSF vice president, NHS, math team, principal french horn player for the wind ensemble, marching band, jazz band "A," symphony orchestra, two-time county honor band member, lead Acolyte for St. James' Episcopal Cathedral
Community service: Community Blood Bank donor and volunteer, summer program teacher for St. James' Cathedral, Community Food Bank volunteer, mathematics volunteer, French and chemistry tutor
Post-graduate plans: Fresno State, Smittcamp Family Honors College, triple majoring in French, philosophy and mathematics and minoring in music performance
Esther Min
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Daihwan Min and Hyesook Lee
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Mich.
GPA: 4.25
Number of AP courses: Seven
Activities: Mock Trial, Buchanan orchestra, Mishka String Quartet, Science Fair, University of California, San Francisco Biomedical Internship, Key Club, French Club, Interact Club
Community service: Kaiser Permanente volunteer, vacation Bible school, quartet performances
Post-graduate plans: UC Davis, majoring in animal science
Alena Moshir
AP Scholar of Distinction
Oanh Nguyen
Valedictorian, AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Hien and Hongvan Nguyen
Hometown: Saigon, Vietnam
GPA: 4.56
Number of AP courses: 10
Activities: National History Day, Science Fair, math team, choir, CSF, Key Club, Indian Club, Forensics Team, Forensics Club
Community service: Hopes for the Holidays volunteer, Orchard Park, Clovis Branch Library, catering for LARCs benefit, tutoring
Post-graduate plans: UC, San Diego, majoring in microbiology and economics
Natalie Obeid
AP Scholar of Distinction
Courtney Ochoa
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Robert and Sherri Ochoa
Hometown: Fresno
GPA: 4.24
Number of AP courses: Seven
Activities: Student of Distinction, ASB class vice president, junior class vice president, sophomore class historian, student senate coordinator, ASB representative for CUSD BHS Strategic Area Review Team, four years varsity basketball - captain/MVP, four year All Conference, Clovis Independent All-City team, city/county team selection, scholar athlete, four year Block "B" recipient, Link Crew leader, Rally Club, FCA, Key Club, GATE program, CSF lifetime member, NHS, Lamp of Knowledge recipient, Math Columbia mission coordinator, Court of Honor, prom/formal coordinator, Homecoming halftime coordinator, Homecoming attendant and court, leadership conference coordinator, Harmony committee member/performer, Human Relations Day committee member/facilitator, Bear Guitar participant, Every 15 Minutes coordinator and participant
Community service: Powder Puff Football coordinator for Multiple Sclerosis, Hurricane Katrina fundraiser, "Light the Night" walk for Leukemia, emergency blood drive, Fill the Helmet volunteer, Valley Teen Ranch Prom, Poverello House volunteer, Matt Mueller Memorial Blood Drive committee member/donor, Bitty Bears Basketball Camp, freshman girls basketball tournament, varsity girls basketball New Years Classic, Catholic charities, Alta Sierra track and field, Jefferson project volunteer for Woodward Park Baptist Church, CUSD elementary basketball tournament referee, Sequoia Brewing Company Halloween Pancake Breakfast volunteer, Triple B Basketball Camp coach, Kiss Country radio-thon for Children's Hospital Central California, Kiss Country Change Bandit Bash, Ambiance Children's Hospital volunteer and fashion show model, Kids' Day volunteer
Post-graduate plans: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, majoring in engineering
Kevin O'Hara
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Beverley and Brian O'Hara
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.39
Number of AP courses: 11
Activities: Four years varsity tennis, junior year team MVP and All-Conference player, second place in league individuals tournament in doubles, Chess Club, French Club, Philosophy Club, Key Club, Academic Decathlon, forensics, math team, Robotics, CSF lifetime member
Community service: tutoring in math, French and chemistry
Post-graduate plans: UCLA, majoring in chemical engineering
Kyle Pope
AP Scholar of Distinction
Daksh Punia
AP Scholar of Distinction
Ramandeep Randhawa
AP Scholar of Distinction
Jennifer Roth
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Daniel and Lynn Roth
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.175
Number of AP courses: Five
Activities: CSF lifetime member, Principal's Honor Roll, High Honor Roll, NHS, Academic Block "B," Who's Who of American Students nominee, soccer, FCA
Community service: Two mission trips to Mexico, inner-city work with Soul in the City Foundation, volunteer teacher's aid, volunteer tutor, two-time Kids' Day paper seller, Children's Hospital Central California Change Bandits volunteer, Fill the Helmet fundraiser for burn victims, Hurricane Katrina fundraiser
Post-graduate plans: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, majoring in architectural engineering
Jessica Schlosser
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Barbara and Randy Schlosser
Hometown: Fresno
GPA: 4.3
Number of AP courses: Seven
Activities: marching band - drum major, jazz band, orchestra, wind ensemble, History Day, Science Olympiad, math team, CSF vice president, Clovis Exchange Club student of the month, pit orchestra for school musicals, National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine participant, UC San Diego extension participant
Community service: Saint Agnes Medical Center volunteer
Post-graduate plans: UCLA, majoring in bioengineering
Elliot Sherman
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Gerald and Kristy Sherman
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.2
Number of AP courses: Six
Activities: Chess Club, Science Olympiad, Intel Science Fair 2006 - third place state wide
Community service: Math and physical education tutoring at local CUSD elementary schools, two summers in Alaska working with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, mission projects
Post-graduate plans: UC Irvine, majoring in biological sciences
Megan Spain
Valedictorian
Parents: Russ and Kathy Spain
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.6
Activities: Section leader - flute section of marching band, wind ensemble, leader of church worship team, served in church youth group, equestrian barrel racing, member of Chosen Generation Youth Choir
Community service: built homes for the poor in Mexico, multiple service projects in the community, youth leader for Vacation Bible School
Post-graduate plans: Fresno State, majoring in biomedical physics
Sterling Stubblefield
AP Scholar of Distinction
Luke Ta
AP Scholar of Distinction
Maycky Tang
AP Scholar of Distinction
Brittany Thaxter
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Debbie and Norm Thaxter
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.17
Number of AP courses: Five
Activities: FCA, Frontline Christian Club, Rally Club 2007, peer counselor, leadership student, Harmony diversity talent show committee, Matt Mueller Memorial Blood Drive committee, junior varsity swim team, Clovis Swim Club, varsity cheer, junior varsity cheer, A.C.T.S. leadership team at New Hope Community Church
Community service: Mexico mission trips, tutoring
Post-graduate plans: Fresno State, majoring in business
Christopher Tillman
Valedictorian, AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Michael and Debra Tillman
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.4167
Number of AP courses: Six
Activities: Three years varsity boys volleyball, club volleyball, freshman soccer, Interact Club, CSF lifetime member, FCA
Community service: Volleyball camp coach, elementary and junior high volleyball tournament referee, elementary tutor, elementary carnival
Post-graduate plans: California State University, Long Beach, full-ride academic scholarship, majoring in chemical engineering
Brittany Turney
Valedictorian
Parents: Tammy and Darryl Turney
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.02
Activities: BHS symphony orchestra violinist, CSF lifetime member, Multicultural and Diversity Student Panel
Community service: volunteer ministry work, tutoring, D.A.R.E. camp counselor
Post-graduate plans: Fresno State, majoring in liberal studies
Jamie Villacorta
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: June Villacorta
Hometown: La Mirada
GPA: 4.3
Number of AP courses: Six
Activities: Key Club - freshman assistant secretary, senior secretary, Filipino Club, Spanish Club, Junior LARCs, varsity tennis - freshman and senior year MVP; junior and senior year doubles valley qualifier; doubles valley championship, varsity badminton
Community service: Key Club
Post-graduate plans: UC Davis, get master's degree, find a successful and good paying job, live a well-off and happy life, find a way to make a difference
Emily Winden
Valedictorian, AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Ken and Priscilla Winden
Hometown: Clovis
GPA: 4.48
Number of AP courses: Eight
Activities: Interact Club, NHS, CSF lifetime member, Destination Imagination, three years varsity track and field, Who's Who of American High School Students nominee, FCA, church involvement, student leadership, piano, Academic Block "B," athletic scholar
Community service: Vacation Bible School, Pelco food drive, Rotary Club involvement through Interact Club, Children's Hospital Central California - Matt Mueller Blood Drive, Kids' Day
Post-graduate plans: Fresno State, Smittcamp Family Honors College
Vila Wong
AP Scholar of Distinction
Alex Zhornitskiy
AP Scholar of Distinction
Parents: Beata Malaya and Leonid Zhornitskiy
Hometown: Vinnitsa, Ukraine
GPA: 4.55
Number of AP courses: 11
Activities: Math team, Science Olympiad, Key Club, Philosophy Club, varsity tennis, History Day, CSF lifetime member
Community service: Alta Sierra Boy's assistant tennis coach, Kaiser Permanente volunteer
Post-graduate plans: University of California, Berkeley
