Headed to the top

The four-year-long wait is over and the race has come to a final finish. 

With multiple weeks until graduation, the senior class of 2022’s ranks has been finalized. Harley Ferguson and Chloe Mason were announced as the valedictorian and salutatorian after breaking a four-way tie. 

The top 10 students were called into college and career counselor Julie Johnson’s office after a long morning of AP testing. One by one, principal Dr. Cody Blair read out each individual and their ranks.

“I didn’t know exactly what to think, and felt really shocked,” Ferguson said. “It feels really great. I remember walking to my car because I had to drive to the CEC at that time, thinking, ‘Dang, is this a dream?’”

Ferguson, the school’s National Honor Society president, believes that academics are of great importance, though, ultimately what means the most to him is spreading the glory of God. With a 5.0 GPA and a welding background thanks to the CEC, Ferguson plans to attend Texas A&M University in the fall, majoring in mechanical engineering. 

When asked which class he thinks made the biggest impact on him, Ferguson said the AP Physics 1 course he took his junior year with Bryce Henderson. 

 “(AP Physics 1) definitely helped me rethink different things since it was a pretty challenging course,” Ferguson said. “I think the part I loved most about it was probably the labs.” 

Salutatorian Chloe Mason believes AP Research to be the most influential class for her in high school. 

“AP Research helped a lot. It helped me write and do a whole project by myself,” Mason said.  “I kind of like all of the classes I’ve had with Mr. Preston, he’s a really good teacher.”

To Mason, academics plays an important role in a student’s high school career, but considers creating meaningful relationships and making memories most influential.

“I think I put a lot of work into academics just because I wanted to go to a good college, but honestly, in the end, I don’t know if it’s worth it or not,” Mason said. “I think you should focus on enjoying high school rather than just focusing on academics.”

Hailey Read and Steffanie Mock joined Ferguson and Mason with perfect 5.0s in the Class of 2022. It’s the second time in three years Rider has had a four-way tie at the top. 

When coming up with her salutatorian speech, Mason asked her peers for some of their advice because they’ve also put in the scholastic effort these past four years. 

“I feel like one person shouldn’t get one moment,” Mason said. “Just because I worked hard, doesn’t mean other people couldn’t work just as much, if not harder.”

Bhargavi Chauhan, Tina Majdinasab and Miranda Salazar tied for fifth place, while Nichole Music, Makenzi Renfro (tied for eighth) and Kendall Grimes round out the top 10.