Superintendent of Perry Township Schools
I believe it is important to honor the accomplishments of people. Accordingly, we recently spent a few minutes and broke bread with our valedictorians and salutatorians from Southport and Perry Meridian high schools. The students were excited but uncertain about the next phase of their lives. They all expressed gratitude for their teachers and the experience they had at their high schools.
As you read their backgrounds, a common theme among each student surfaces: Extra- and co-curricular programs play a key role in their high school experience. These individuals are busy and utilize every spare minute of every day. These students represent a student body that in many cases have similar schedules and challenges whose GPA is equally impressive.
The valedictorian of Perry Meridian is April Gettelfinger, who earned a 4.55 GPA. Her teachers commented that she loves to participate in service projects and enjoys the arts.
She is vice president of the school’s National Honor Society chapter, an actress on the Perry stage, a member of the Creative Writing and Kiwanis Key clubs and managing editor of The Focus, the school newspaper.
“What I do after school is my greatest motivation,” she said. “My extracurricular activities added significance and memorability to my school life.”
She hopes to become a rheumatologist and will enter a premedical track of study at the University of Evansville in the fall.
Perry’s salutatorian is Michelle Frustero, who earned a 4.54 GPA behind her passion for math and a strong desire to learn.
She attributes her academic success to hard work and dedication. Michelle is entrenched in the World Languages Club and Book Club. She plans to major in secondary education at the University of Indianapolis. Our goal is for her to be successful in college and bring her back home to teach in Perry Township.
Southport’s valedictorian is Delaney Bucker, whose GPA is 4.56. In addition to enrolling in challenging courses, she has competed in cross country, swimming and track, serving as captain of each team this season.
Her academic pursuit has led her to choose Arizona State University and its honors college, Barrett, where she intends to major in biology. She also plans to compete on the triathlon team. “Sports are not my only defining factor. I am a tough competitor in the classroom as well,” said Delaney, who is president of Southport’s National Honor Society and a Spanish tutor.
Jaclyn Boyer, who earned salutatorian honors at Southport after earning a 4.54 GPA, said she has a love for learning that is unquenchable.
Philanthropic events also play a key role in her life. Her leadership abilities are demonstrated in everything she has done, from academics to athletics and church.
She is the design editor of the yearbook and won a literary award her junior year. She is often seen taking pictures and gathering information at games, club activities and other events. She has earned multiple awards for her academic and swimming endeavors.
We congratulate all of our seniors preparing for life after high school and wish them the best.