• Seniors earn valedictorian, salutatorian distinctions

    Gaston County Schools has 28 students in the Class of 2025 who have achieved the top academic distinction of valedictorian or salutatorian.  Each valedictorian and salutatorian were recognized during high school graduation. 

    The senior with the highest weighted grade point average (GPA) is selected valedictorian, and the senior with the second-highest weighted GPA is chosen salutatorian.  When students are tied for first or second in the class, co-valedictorian and co-salutatorian honors are presented. 

    Superintendent of Schools Morgen A. Houchard stated, “We are pleased to recognize and honor 28 seniors in the Class of 2025 as our valedictorians and salutatorians – this is a significant academic accomplishment, and we are very proud of these students.”

    Houchard added, “On behalf of the Board of Education, we congratulate our valedictorians and salutatorians for maintaining an impressive academic record during their educational career, and we thank them for being excellent leaders and role models at school and in the community.  We are confident that these high-achieving students will continue to be successful in everything they choose to do.” 

    Listed below are the Class of 2025 valedictorians and salutatorians for Gaston County Schools and biography information for each student.


    Ashbrook High School

    Valedictorian:  Janiya Maree Mooring 

    • College Plans:  UNC-Chapel Hill to major in biology; plans to pursue a career as a cardiologist.
    • Accolades:  Associate of Science degree from Gaston College; captain of the varsity volleyball team and member of the varsity basketball team; National Honor Society; National Technical Honor Society; student council senator for three years; Who’s Who Among High School Students for Ashbrook High School; Manley Williamson Legacy Award – Ashbrook All-Star Pageant; CaroMont Health volunteer. 

    Salutatorian:  Jamila Margaux Lewis

    • College Plans:  Claflin University in Orangeburg, S.C. to major in biology and bioinformatics and play volleyball; plans to pursue a career as a geneticist or physical therapist.  
    • Accolades:  Associate in Science degree from Gaston College through the Ashbrook iAccelerate Academy; captain of the varsity volleyball and track teams and athletic trainer; senior class senator; National Honor Society officer; Gaston County Schools Star Student for Ashbrook High School; member of the Unified Club, Junior Civitans, and Delta Gems; played at the national level for the Carolina Union Volleyball Club; Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council; Claflin University – Allison Carson Tisdale Honors College Merit Scholarship. 

    Bessemer City High School

    Valedictorian:  Lucien Smith

    • College Plans:  Gardner-Webb University to major in nursing (specializing in anesthesia).  
    • Accolades:  Associate of Science degree from Gaston College; Gaston College Dean’s List; junior marshal; blood donor; nursing student; Platinum WorkKeys; National Honor Society; National Technical Honor Society.

    Salutatorian:  Kaytelin Justice

    • College Plans:  Western Carolina University – Honors College to major in environmental science and natural resource conservation and management.
    • Accolades:  Junior marshal; National Honor Society; National Technical Honor Society; drama club president; Mars Hill chorus; student leadership team.

    Cherryville High School

    Co-Valedictorian:  Camryn Cash        

    • College Plans:  UNC-Chapel Hill to major in chemistry; plans to pursue a career as a pharmacist.
    • Accolades:  Numerous academic scholarships to various colleges; Dwight H. Harrelson Memorial Scholarship; Cherryville High School Academic Booster Club Scholarship; National Honor Society; four-year member of the varsity cheer team.

    Co-Valedictorian:  Alexis McSwain       

    • College Plans:  UNC-Chapel Hill to major in biology; plans to pursue a career as a pediatric doctor or occupational therapist. 
    • Accolades:  Gaston County Schools Star Student for Cherryville High School; Dwight H. Harrelson Memorial Scholarship; Cherryville High School Academic Booster Club Scholarship; National Honor Society; four-year member of the varsity softball team.   

    Salutatorian:  Avery Beam        

    • College Plans:  Wingate University to major in nursing; plans to pursue a career as a nurse.
    • Accolades:  Numerous academic scholarships to various colleges; Wingate University Academic Merit and Cheer Scholarships; CaroMont Health Auxiliary Gertrude Clinton Health Career Scholarship; National Honor Society; four-year member of the varsity cheer team.   

    Stuart W. Cramer High School

    Valedictorian:  Olivia Lynn Michael        

    • College Plans:  UNC-Chapel Hill; plans to attend medical school to become a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor.      
    • Accolades:  Wayne F. Shovelin Scholar; Big South 3A Conference tennis champion; Gaston County Schools Star Student for Stuart W. Cramer High School; Terry Radford Award; Associate of Science degree from Gaston College.

    Salutatorian:  Austin Louis Major        

    • College Plans:  UNC-Chapel Hill
    • Accolades:  Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Distinction; N.C. School of Science and Math online program certificate; four-time varsity swim team MVP; fourth place in 50-meter freestyle state championship; varsity tennis doubles regional qualifier.      

    East Gaston High School

    Valedictorian:  Kyndall Leigh Godley      

    • College Plans:  Montreat College to major in exercise science; plans to pursue a career in occupational therapy.
    • Accolades:  Chief junior marshal; National Honor Society and Beta Club president; Female Athlete of the Year; recipient of softball scholarship from Montreat College.

    Salutatorian:  Makayla Joy Deal    

    • College Plans:  Gaston College to major in nursing; plans to pursue a career as a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner.
    • Accolades:  Associate of Arts degree from Gaston College; Cancer Services Youth Advisory Council president; Tyler Herndon Memorial Scholarship; Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) licensure; four-year member of the East Gaston dance team and served as a captain.

    Forestview High School

    Valedictorian:  William Tristan Peyton

    • College Plans:  University of South Carolina – Honors College to major in computer science; plans to pursue a career in back-end software development and full-stack engineering.
    • Accolades:  Candidate for Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Diploma; two-time state swimming champion and two-time conference swimmer of the year; student body treasurer; University of South Carolina UC Scholarship worth $96,000. 

    Salutatorian:  Graham Harrison Kines    

    • College Plans:  University of South Carolina – Honors College to major in finance.
    • Accolades:  Two-time state swimming champion and 2022-2023 Big South Swimmer of the Year; Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Distinction in Forestview’s Collegiate Prep Academy; school spirit club president and student section leader; had research paper published on the topic, “Processed Foods Contribution to Obesity in Food Desserts.” 

    Gaston Early College High School

    Valedictorian:  Lindsay Garcia

    • College Plans:  N.C. State University to major in aerospace engineering; plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career with NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    • Accolades:  Gaston College Associate in Engineering degree (among the first female students from Gaston Early College High School to graduate with an engineering degree); academic honors list; Gaston College math club.

    Salutatorian:  Cameron Browning

    • College Plans:  UNC-Charlotte to major in mechanical engineering; plans to pursue a career as a licensed professional engineer.
    • Accolades:  Gaston College Associate in Engineering degree with honors; $11,000 in scholarships from UNC-Charlotte; chosen for UNC-Charlotte honors program; president of the Bible club.

    Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences

    Valedictorian:  Sadie Morton

    • College Plans:  UNC-Chapel Hill to major in pre-medicine; plans to pursue a career as a pediatric oncologist.
    • Accolades:  Albert G. Myers Scholarship; Gaston College President’s Award; National Honor Society co-president; Teen Action Council president.

    Salutatorian:  Katie Blackett

    • College Plans:  UNC-Chapel Hill to major in computer science.
    • Accolades:  National Honor Society; Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy; student government; Relay for Life and Special Olympics volunteer.

    Gaston Virtual Academy

    Valedictorian:  Kaitlyn Alayna Spangler

    • College Plans:  Auburn University to major in culinary sciences; plans to pursue a career as an executive chef.
    • Accolades:  Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council; Gaston County Schools Star Student for Gaston Virtual Academy; Beta Club.

    Salutatorian:  Abigail Lynn Fowler     

    • College Plans:  Plans to build on her experience of working with animals to open a non-profit animal shelter.
    • Accolades:  Beta Club; volunteered numerous hours at the Gaston Virtual Academy.

    Highland School of Technology

    Valedictorian:  Katelin Vaher

    • College Plans:  UNC-Chapel Hill to major in business administration.
    • Accolades:  All-conference and regional champion in tennis; All-American Award for swimming; junior marshal; co-chairperson for Teens Changing Gaston County. 

    Salutatorian:  Regis Lu

    • College Plans:  Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania to major in engineering with a pre-medicine focus; plans to pursue a career in medicine.
    • Accolades:  Gaston County Schools Star Student for Highland; junior marshal; Gaston County Teen Action Council; earned six top five HOSA awards, including three first-place awards in dental science and terminology; Swarthmore College Scholarship worth $310,000; APIA/Health Care Scholars United Scholarship worth $20,000.  

    Hunter Huss High School

    Valedictorian:  Kelsey Janae Griffin      

    • College Plans:  UNC-Chapel Hill to major in nursing; plans to pursue a career in pediatrics.
    • Accolades:  Chief junior marshal, student body president; UNC-Chapel Hill Covenant Scholarship; Gaston County Schools Star Student for Hunter Huss. 

    Salutatorian:  Zachary Ryan Kimmel  

    • College Plans:  Gaston College to major in political science and play baseball; plans to pursue a career in the military.
    • Accolades:  Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council; Gastonia Mayor and City Council Student Achievement Award; all-conference and all-county tournament in baseball; all-conference in swimming.   

    North Gaston High School

    Valedictorian:  Anna Claire Whitesides    

    • College Plans:  Appalachian State University to major in elementary education; plans to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher.  
    • Accolades:  Chief junior marshal; N.C. Teaching Fellows Scholarship; Gregory Lee Comer Memorial Scholarship; National Honor Society; National Technical Honor Society; Beta Club; maintained straight As throughout her educational career.

    Salutatorian:  Preston Brock Martin    

    • College Plans:  Appalachian State University to major in biology with a focus on pre-medicine; plans to pursue a career as an orthopedic doctor. 
    • Accolades:  Various awards in biology, chemistry, and health science; Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification; Beta Club; National Honor Society; student council secretary; four-year member of baseball team; Wildcat Leadership Award; member of wrestling and football teams; Houston Patterson Scholarship; North Gaston Booster Club of Athletics Scholarship; Appalachian State University Excellence Scholarship. 

    South Point High School

    Co-Valedictorian:  Asher Dover    

    • College Plans:  University of Notre Dame to major in applied and computational mathematics and statistics.    
    • Accolades:  Co-founder of Belmont Abilities Tennis, a program for individuals with intellectual disabilities; regional president of Second Serve Tennis, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing equipment to underprivileged children around the world; captain of the varsity tennis team and two-time tennis team state champion; N.C. Farm Bureau State Sportsmanship Award; United States Tennis Association of North Carolina Family of the Year Award; student council class representative for four years.

    Co-Valedictorian:  James Dover    

    • College Plans:  Yale University to major in history of science, medicine, and public health.    
    • Accolades:  Calvin Coolidge Presidential Scholarship (one of five selected nationally for full-tuition, room, and board at the university of his choice); National Merit Scholarship; all-state in tennis twice and three-time state champion in doubles and team tennis; national board member and panelist with the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; founder of the N.C. Junior National Association of the Deaf; student body treasurer.

    Salutatorian:  Charles Price  

    • College Plans:  Davidson College to major in biology/pre-medicine track; plans to pursue a career as a pediatrician.
    • Accolades:  James B. Duke Scholarship (one of five recipients for full tuition and fees at Davidson College); student body president; National Honor Society president; Gaston County Schools Star Student for South Point; four-time all-conference honors in wrestling; Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.