Jean-Pierre Castillo is a first-generation American and Butler High School student, who moved here from Colombia, South America. He came to the United States in the third grade and didn’t speak English, but that didn’t stop him from succeeding. He earned the highest score on his AP Calculus exam during his junior year and received a $100,000 academic scholarship. Jean-Pierre also has a knack for musical instruments. He plays the tuba, alto saxophone, guitar, flute, piano and more.
He will attend Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Andrew Metz considers himself quite lucky – and he believes in paying it forward. The Independence High School student escaped his orphanage in Chelybinsk, Russia, when his American mother adopted him as a toddler. He became a naturalized citizen in 1997. Metz has overcome speech and language learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, carving out a path to college.
His strengths are math, science and technology. Andrew has been active in the Academy of International Studies at Independence. He also enjoys volunteering in the community, where he’s racked up more than 300 service hours.
Lindsay Clouse has dedicated her life to service. The Providence High School student has earned the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award for four years, with 250 hours of community service each year. She is a member of Providence Baptist Church’s youth group and choir. She has traveled on mission trips to Jamaica and Tennessee, in addition to her weekly visits to nursing homes. She is a Girl Scout and has been a member of the Candlewyck Swim Team for 11 years. She is a member of the Math Honor Society and a peer tutor.
This summer, Lindsay will help build and run sports camps for kids in Alabama.
Andrew James has earned $250,000 in scholarships, the greatest scholarship amount for any student in Rocky River High School’s first graduating class. Andrew came to Rocky River his junior year from Independence High School, and was selected as the first editor of the Bird’s Eye View, the school’s newspaper. He also helped start the school’s anti-bullying team, served as captain on both cross county and tennis teams, is on the Tobacco Reality Unfiltered club’s advisory board and was vice president of the senior class. This year, he also was the lead in the school’s musical.
Andrew hopes to study broadcast journalism.
Matthews and Mint Hill’s best and brightest
2012 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools valedictorians and salutatorians
Butler High School
Valedictorian: Yong “Joseph” Woon Kwon
Salutatorian: Caroline Bowes
Independence High School
Valedictorian: Stuart Lane Polk
Salutatorian: Benjamin Ryan Wetherby
Providence High School
Valedictorian: Amanda Hu
Salutatorian: Michelle Fogarty
Rocky River High School
Valedictorian: Alexandra Noura-Al Huda von Briesen
Salutatorian: Isabel Fee
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