Leading Grays Harbor College’s Class of 2017 are 12 top scholars. The class includes 341 graduates and 190 will be participating in the formal commencement ceremony Friday evening on the GHC main campus.
Six graduates are tied for the top spot with perfect 4.0 grade-point averages and six in the top 12 earned Associate degrees from GHC as Running Start students, meaning they received their high school diplomas simultaneously while earning college credits. Leading the Class of 2017 at GHC are:
Amelia Davison, a Running Start graduate from Aberdeen High School, is earning her Associate in Arts degree. The daughter of Michelle Davison, she will attend Washington State University in the fall as an engineering major. She also plans to participate in women’s rowing at WSU.
Kristen Donovan graduated from Aberdeen High School last week and is earning an Associate of Arts degree from GHC. She will be transferring to the University of Washington and is undecided about her major. She is the daughter of George and Suzy Donovan of Hoquiam.
Raja Estes of Naselle is a Running Start student who took all of her GHC classes online. The daughter of Ronald and Rahma Estes, she also graduated from Naselle-Grays River Valley School and is earning her Associate of Arts degree from GHC. She will also be transferring to the University of Washington as a pre-med major.
Malia Marks, graduating as valedictorian last week from Aberdeen High School, earns her Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in math and sciences from GHC. She will attend Harvard College in the fall to study biology. She eventually plans on earning a doctorate to create her own non-profit medical research organization, plus an all-natural cosmetics line. The daughter of Jon and Molly Marks of Aberdeen, she worked as an intern with Dr. Amanda Gunn, GHC biology faculty, during the school year and will continue this summer.
Emily May plans to study biology at the University of Portland, where she will transfer after earning her Associate of Arts degree at GHC, plus her diploma from Aberdeen High School. The daughter of Drs. Gregory May and Anne Marie Wong May of Aberdeen, she hopes to pursue a career in medicine or physical therapy.
Taylor Moreno of Montesano earns his Associate of Arts degree from GHC and will transfer to the University of Washington to major in molecular, cellular and developmental biology. He plans on becoming a physician/scientist with two doctorates in medicine and a PhD. While at GHC, he served as executive officer of community relations with Student Life and was a member of the Technology Committee. He is the son of Javier Moreno and the late Jackie Moreno.
Chloe Converse, who earned a 3.99 grade-point average, is a homeschooled student and the daughter of Orrin and Cindy Converse of Humptulips. She is an English major at GHC and while at the college, she has been executive officer of government relations with Student Life, vice president of the Tabletop Gaming Club and a member of Phi Theta Kappa scholastic honorary. She plans to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a degree in creative writing and English literature.
Kendra Gross receives her GHC Associate in Arts degree in Music with a 3.99 gpa and will transfer to Seattle Pacific University to study music therapy. The daughter of Michael and Angela Gross of Aberdeen, she is a homeschooled student. While at the college, she participated in Opera Workshop, Grays Harbor Civic Choir, Jazz Choir and Chokers for Christ.
Completing the College’s top graduates are four students who each earned 3.98 grade-point averages.
They include Kaitlyn Bradley, who majored in elementary education at GHC and is a 2015 graduate of Montesano High School. She has been a member of Phi Theta Kappa and is the daughter of Lisa Bradley and Dustin Bradley. She plans to transfer to The Evergreen State College to earn both her bachelor and master degrees in teaching. She hopes to teach in the Grays Harbor area and give back to her community.
Zane Johnson graduated from South Bend High School in 2014 and receives his Associate of Science degree from the college. The son of Mike and Tia Johnson of South Bend, he will attend Central Washington University majoring in ecology and evolutionary biology. He has been active in the college’s Natural Resources Club.
Hannah Palmer is also an Aberdeen Running Start student earning her Associate in Arts degree. The daughter of Tina and Troy Palmer of Cosmopolis, she will attend Seattle Pacific University majoring in history and minoring in English. Her future plans include getting a master degree in history and becoming a history professor.
Kristy Watson is a 2013 graduate of North Beach High School who works at St. Mary’s School during the week. An Aberdeen resident, she will receive her Associate of Science Track 2, plus an Associate of Arts degree. She will transfer to Washington State University in the fall, pursuing a bachelor degree in civil engineering. She is the daughter of Stephanie Hamm.
Live streaming
Grays Harbor College’s graduation ceremony begins at 7 p.m. Friday, outside on the main campus. Aberdeen Mayor Erik Larson, a GHC alumnus in the Class of 2010, will be the speaker. Tickets are required to be seated under the tent. Those without tickets have the option of watching the entire ceremony via live-streaming on large screens in the Schermer Building or on their own screens at home.
The link for the live stream will be on the college’s homepage, www.ghc.edu.
