Today is the last day of the school year in Oconee County: students in schools in and around Watkinsville are in class for half a day, then dismissed to begin their summer breaks. Graduation ceremonies for students at Oconee and North Oconee high schools are set for tomorrow, 3 o’clock Saturday for North Oconee Seniors and 7 o’clock for their counterparts at Oconee County High School.
Next Wednesday is the last day of classes in the Clarke County School District.
From the Oconee Co School District website…
North Oconee High School and Oconee County High School have named the Class of 2022 valedictorians, salutatorians, and honorarians. These students will graduate ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, respectively, in their graduation ceremonies to be held this Sat., May 21 at the University of Georgia (UGA) Stegeman Coliseum. North Oconee High’s ceremony is at 3 p.m. at Oconee County High’s ceremony is at 7 p.m.
Valedictorians, Salutatorians, and Honorarians
“Congratulations to the valedictorians, salutatorians, and honorarians from both North Oconee and Oconee County High Schools,” said Superintendent Jason L. Branch. “These students achieved exceptional levels of academic success while also being engaged in a number of extracurricular pursuits. On behalf of the entire school system, we wish them the best of luck and know they will continue to achieve great things in the future.”
The valedictorians, salutatorians, and honorarians are below:
North Oconee High School
Valedictorian – Fiona Waller, daughter of Eadaoin and Jeremy Waller, plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology and double major in physics and mathematics. While at NOHS, she was a National Merit finalist, National Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Distinction, and an Oconee Scholar. She was captain of the math team and is a piano player.
Salutatorian – Yerahm Hong, daughter of HwaChoon Park and Soonseung Hong, plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania and major in biomedical science (pre-med) with a minor in Spanish. While at NOHS, she was named a National Merit finalist, U.S. Presidential Scholars Program candidate, and School/System/Region STAR winner. She was the founder and leader of the NOHS string ensemble and an active member of the school’s Science Olympiad team. Honorarian – Catherine “Katie” Oh, daughter of Kyungim and Insop Oh, plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania and major in management. While at NOHS, she was named a U.S. Presidential Scholars Program semi-finalist, President’s Volunteer Service Award gold medalist, and an AP Scholar. She was an all-state artist and varsity soccer team member – a team that won the 2021 4A state championship.
Oconee County High School
Valedictorian – Julianna Hayunga, daughter of Adriana and Darren Hayunga, plans to attend the University of Georgia and major in nutritional sciences with a minor in Spanish. While at OCHS, she was a National Merit Finalist, Rhetorical Essay State Champion, and received a UGA Certificate of Merit. She was co-president of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and was a Model UN officer.
Salutatorian – Paige Hackleman, daughter of Tricia and Jeff Hackleman, plans to attend Purdue University and major in mechanical engineering. While at OCHS, she received the Martha Brodrick Leadership Award (one senior selected by faculty), was a National Merit Commended Student, and Homecoming Queen. She was student council president, as well as a varsity soccer player who received the Heisman High School Award.
Honorarian – Kyriakos Panaou, son of Evanthia Christoforou and Petros Panaou, plans to attend the University of Groningen (Netherlands) and major in medicine. While at OCHS, he received a UGA Certificate of Merit, the Phi Kappa Phi “Love of Learning” scholarship, and was an Oconee Scholar. He was involved in Model United Nations (UN) and was a member of the Science Bowl team.