CCHS salutes its honor graduates

Caitlin Joyce Duckett
Age: 17
Family: Parents: Lauren and Kenny; brother, Daniel
College: William and Mary
Graduation status: Salutatorian
Awards: $1,000 scholarship from Country Cookin’
Hobbies: Horseback riding, field hockey, playing the piano/violin

Salutatorian Duckett excited about W&M
Caitlin Joyce Duckett, 17, is thrilled about attending America’s second oldest college this fall.

The 2008 Culpeper County High School salutatorian will begin taking classes at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg in August.

“I’m so excited, I’m ready to go right now,” Caitlin said.

After a visit to the small, historic college, Caitlin said she liked the atmosphere.

“The size was really something that attracted me to it,” she said. “The study abroad program is really awesome, too.”

The Culpeper native plans on studying international relations and/or French.

She includes psychology and sociology as her favorite subjects.

Caitlin credits her salutatorian status to earning exceptional grades in high school and taking classes at the Mountain Vista Governor’s School.

For Caitlin, who earned a 4.2 GPA, studying is an essential part of her academic life.

“I’ll go into work early, get my dinner, and try to get as much of my homework done as possible,” said the scholarly teenager. “I try to space everything out so I don’t get slammed.”

Caitlin even created a spreadsheet on her laptop so she could organize her homework assignments.

“That was a really helpful way to keep track of (the work,” said Caitlin, who works at Country Cookin’. “I’m a more visual person so it helps for me to actually see it. It’s a lot more helpful.”

Laura Faith Kebede
Age: 17
Family: Parents: Hagazi and Carolyn; sister, Andrea
College: University of Missouri
Graduation status: Tied for third
Awards: Diversity award from the University of Missouri
Hobbies: Playing the flute, singing, playing ping pong and hanging out with friends

Student writer plans to pursue journalism
Her middle name says it all.

Laura Faith Kebede, 17, credits her accomplishments in life to her strong religious beliefs.

And the 2008 Culpeper County High School graduate tied for third in her class of more than 500 students.

She plans to study journalism at the University of Missouri this fall.

“I heard it was a really good journalism school,” said the shy teenager.

Although, she doesn’t have a particular study routine, Laura says she tries to complete her work in advance.

The North Carolina native-turned-Culpeper resident began writing a column in the Culpeper News during her freshman year. She hopes to obtain a staff writing position at Mizzou.

After college, Laura wants to work in print media.

Laura looks forward to meeting different types of people on campus.

“When you’re in small town it’s a different crowd than in a college (setting),” she said. “(They’ll) be many backgrounds coming together.”

Laura began writing at a young age.

“I just like writing poetry and short stories and anything that came to mind,” she said.

Karina Maria Platt
Age: 17
Family: Parents: Bret and Janet; brothers, Devin, Dylan and Logan
College: Virginia Tech
Graduation status: Tied for third
Hobbies: Active in her youth group at Open Door Baptist Church, running on the track team

Platt to study biology at Virginia Tech

Karina Marie Platt, 17, is well on her way to becoming a Hokie.

This fall, Karina, who tied for third in her class of more than 500 students, heads to Virginia Tech to study biology.

“I thought it would be cool to go there,” she said.

Karina, a Pennsylvania native, says her parents’ motivation has helped her in achieving her goals.

Her study habits include taking plenty of notes, paying attention in class and organizing her work.

“If we have to read a chapter, I read the chapter — I don’t just skip over (the material),” she said.

Karina earned a 4.1 GPA.

She looks forward to “being on her own and doing what she wants to do,” when she moves to Blacksburg this summer.

After college, Karina said, she has plans to work in medicine.

Karina, who attends Open Baptist Church in Culpeper, wants to continue attending church services.

“God has helped me a lot in this and I’ll try to continue my faith and going to church after high school, in college and after that,” she said.

Victoria Rose Steimel
Age: 17
Family: Parents: Bart and Annemarie; siblings: Kimberly, Kevin, Jillian, Melissa, Tommy, Elizabeth and Caroline
College: University of Virginia
Graduation status: Fifth in class
Hobbies: Cheerleading, drama, acting and dance classes

Steimel headed to U.Va. to study French

Victoria Rose Steimel is saying au revoir to Culpeper et bonjour to Charlottesville this fall.

The 2008 Culpeper County High School graduate — who rounded out the top five in her class of more than 500 students this year — has plans to study French at the University of Virginia.

“It’s something I really want to learn,” she said.

The 17-year-old — who earned a 4.1 GPA — credits her exceptional success to her studious work ethic.

“I try to study a lot over a period of time so that I’m not overloaded,” said Victoria. “I also take lots of notes.”

She looks forward to attending the prestigious university in August and continuing her study habits.

“I chose U.Va. because of the many opportunities and there’s so much going on there,” she said. “Plus, I’m indecisive so no matter what I do I could do it there. I’m really excited.”

Victoria said her parents, Bart and Annamarie, encouraged her and her seven siblings to do their best.

“I’ve always had supportive parents that guided me in the right direction,” she said. “I also have lots of hard working friends.”

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .