Best in the Class of 2017: Timberlake
Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of articles about local high school valedictorians and salutatorians in the Class of 2017. On Friday, the series concludes with the Best in the Class of 2017: Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy and Kootenai Senior High School.
Jacquelyn Mallet, 18, is a co-valedictorian at Timberlake High, with a 4.136 GPA.
Mallet plans to attend The Master’s University in Santa Clarita, Calif., studying physical therapy and playing college basketball. She’ll work on her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy with a goal to continue and earn a master’s degree.
“Success isn’t measured by what others think of your achievements, but what truly matters is that you are proud of yourself for your own accomplishments,” Mallet said. “When you stop worrying about what others think and have confidence in yourself, this is where true happiness comes from. I plan to use this advice to give me confidence in the adult world, and not be afraid of failure. In the end, I know these things are going to be what really guides me down the path of accomplishing my greatest goals.”
Keelie Lawler, 18, carries a 4.17 GPA and is a co-valedictorian at Timberlake High.
Lawler will attend Western State Colorado University to play basketball. She plans to major in mathematics, with a minor in physics, before going to graduate school. Her goal? To earn a degree in environmental engineering to make the planet a cleaner and more efficient place.
“The greatest lesson I have learned from my education is from my A.P. U.S. History class,” Lawler said. “That is, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. That class was intense and required an extensive amount of work, but at the end of it, I was able to look back and say ‘Wow, I did that.’ From here on out, I can know that no matter how difficult life gets in the future, I know I can get through anything. My school work ethic completely changed from that class.”
The final co-valedictorian at Timberlake is Maurie Roth of Rathdrum, who carries a 4.21 GPA as a senior, and 4.01 in the previous three years.
Roth, 18, will attend Brigham Young University in the fall, hoping to major in broadcast journalism, building her career as a reporter or news anchor.
“People are going to be rude and ignorant, but the true indication of your character is how you react in those situations,” Roth said. “My high school experience has had a lot of ups and downs, and I’ve learned so much from them. It always pays off to be patient and caring. As I continue with my education, it will be vital to me to be patient and understanding of those around me.”
This year’s salutatorian at Timberlake High is Kassidy Hammond. Hammond, 17, has a 4.13 GPA and plans to attend Boise State University, majoring in biology before pursuing an advanced degree in either athletic training or some type of medical profession. Her goal is to study abroad in New Zealand for a semester, as well as play intramural soccer at Boise State and join a running club.
“The most important thing I’ve learned from my education so far is to not take anything too seriously,” Hammond said. “Yes, it’s important to make time for homework and studying, but you also have to remember to breathe and live a little. Otherwise, you will drive yourself and the people around you absolutely crazy due to stress.”
Timberlake will celebrate its graduation on Friday, June 9 at 6 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.