Meet Lawrenceville's Top Seniors

• Melissa Thomas, Valedictorian, Archer High School

After graduating from Archer, Melissa Thomas will attend the University of Georgia in the fall where she plans on majoring in nursing. In the future, Thomas hopes to become a Pediatric Oncology nurse at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She is the daughter of Mike and Sandi Thomas and is an honor student, musician and athlete. The National Honor Society, Beta Club and the Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the volleyball and basketball teams are just a few of her activities. Thomas is the recipient of the Hugh O’Brien Youth leadership Award (HOBY), AP Scholar Award and more. She also participates in the Relay for Life, community service at Streetwise and works with special education students at Harbins Elementary School.

• Caitlin Pingel, Salutatorian, Archer High School

Caitlin Pingel is the daughter of Jill Brown. She plans to attend UGA after graduating from Archer where she will major in Communication Science/Disorders. Her goal is to one day become a Bilingual Speech Pathologist, specializing in deaf and autistic children and their families. Pingel is involved with the Beta Club, Future Educators of America, National Spanish Honor Society. She is also an assistant pre-K teacher at the Primrose School. Her honors and awards include Academic letters, Governors Honors program finalist for Spanish, AP Scholar and Honor graduate.

• Joseph Horenstein, Valedictorian, Central Gwinnett High School

Joseph Horenstein is the son of Randy and Sherri Horenstein. After graduating from Central Gwinnett, he plans to attend the University of Georgia. Horenstein is the recipient of the Zell Miller Scholarship and a National Merit Finalist Scholarship. The musical Horenstein plays the trombone and the bassoon. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and the German Club. Horenstein was also voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by his peers at Central Gwinnett.

• Sara Futch, Salutatorian, Central Gwinnett High School

After graduating from Central Gwinnett, Sara Futch plans to study Psychology at either Wofford College or Georgia Tech. Futch has earned scholarships to both schools-- The Zell Miller Scholarship to Georgia Tech totaling almost $8,000 and the Charles E. Daniels Scholarship to Wofford worth $120,000 over four years. She is the daughter of Trey and Sandy Futch. Her honors and awards include AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Scholarship Letter of Commendation, and Georgia Junior Marshal. Futch served as co-captain of the volleyball and swim teams. She also played on the school's golf team. Futch is the Senior Representative of the Beta Club and a Vice-President of the German Club. She is also a member of the National Honor Society.

• Arsalan Sufi, Valedictorian, Gwinnett School of Math, Science and Technology
  

Arsalan Sufi is the son of Nabeela Sufi. In the fall, Sufi plans to attend Yale University where he will major in Biomedical Engineering. He is the recipient of the Gates Millennium Scholarship and Burger King Scholarship. Sufi is a National Merit Scholar and won first place in the Regional Science and Engineering Fair. He is active in the National Honors Society and Beta Club at his school. He also provides CRCT tutoring for elementary school students.

• Lilian Chan, Salutatorian, Gwinnett School of Math, Science and Technology
  

Lillian Chan is the daughter of Yeen and Chee Chan. After graduation, Chan will attend the University of Pennsylvania. There, she will major in Chemistry and Biology. After college, Chan hopes to earn her PhD or go to medical school. Chan is a National AP Scholar and an accomplished artist. She was named an Art All-State and a semifinalist in state Martin Luther King, Jr. The Dream Art Contest, among other accomplishments. Her school activities include Science Olympiad, Student Government Association, National Honor Society, Beta Club and Mu Alpha Theta.

• Claudette Bailey, Valedictorian, Mountain View High School
  

Claudette Bailey is the daughter of Hal and Susie Bailey. She plans to attend the University of Georgia in the fall where she will major in Dietetics. After college Bailey plans to become a registered dietitian and earn her certification in diabetes education. Bailey's honors and awards include National Merit Scholarship Program Finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction and Georgia Certificate of Merit. She is the president of her school's Beta Club, a member of the Student Council, National Honor Society, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

• Kevin Schatell, Salutatorian, Mountain View High School
  

Kevin Schatell is the son of Diane and Ed Schatell. He plans to major in Graphic Design at UGA in the fall. His dream is to be a graphic designer in the entertainment field in either New York or Los Angeles. Schatell's awards and honors include UGA Certificate of Merit, AP Scholar with Honors and a HOBY Award. He is a member of the Student Council, Editor-In-Chief of the yearbook and a member of the Gwinnett Student Leadership Team among other activities.

Do you know someone graduating from high school or college this year? Congratulate them with a free Lawrenceville Patch graduation announcement. You can also upload photos of your grad on our Pics and Clips page.