Published: May 31, 2008 11:13 pm         

Pioneer names 2008 valedictorian, salutatorian

Commencement ceremony is set for today.

ROYAL CENTER — Pioneer Junior-Senior High School announces its 2008 valedictorian and salutatorian after eight semesters.

Jacob V. Layer, son of Steve and Sheryl Layer, has been named valedictorian for the class of 2008. Jacob has earned the distinguished honor of an Eagle Scout. He excels in the areas of math and science. At the recent senior awards program he won both the Math and Science Department awards.

Jacob was recognized as The American Legion and Government Test State Winner, Presidential Award for Academic Excellence, Academic Achievement Award, Logansport Memorial Scholarship, Lilly finalist, Hoosier Scholar Award, IUPUI Valedictorian Scholarship, and the Traylor Chemical Scholarship. Jacob has participated in Hoosier Spell Bowl, Academic Super Bowl, Brain Game and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Jacob enjoys listening to music, anything science related and his teachers say he has a tremendous work ethic. He has worked throughout his high school career at the Royal Center Locker Plant and plans to attend Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis to study pre-med biology. He eventually plans to attend medical school.

Amanda N. Murray was named salutatorian of the Class of 2008. Amanda has been involved in numerous extra-curricular activities including cheerleading, Academic Superbowl, choir, National Honor Society and Sunshine Society. She currently works as a certified nursing assistant at Pulaski Memorial Hospital. She has volunteered as a Big Sister and Mikey’s Miracles. She has also attended Hoosier Girls State.

Like Jacob, Amanda was recognized by faculty as having a tremendous work ethic. She has been accepted to the Purdue University School of Nursing where she plans to earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing.

At the recent awards program, she received the following awards: Presidential Award for Academic Excellence, Academic Achievement Award, Logansport Memorial Scholarship, Kassandra M. Todd Memorial Scholarship, Tri Kappa Mary Weaver Book Scholarship, The Sanderson Scholarship, Indiana Sunshine Society Arline Smith Nursing Scholarship, The Royal Center Lions Club Scholarship, The Logansport Rotary Scholarship, The Pioneer High School Scholarship and The Hoosier Scholar Award.

Pioneer will hold commencement ceremonies today.