Dennler named Class of 2013 Valedictorian - She will attend Stanford University in the fall
LOVELOCK - The Dennler family name is in Pershing County High School valedictorian history for the second year in a row. Samantha Dennler, not necessarily following in her sister Claudia's footsteps but blazing her own new future, was named PCHS Class of 2013 Valedictorian.
Dennler has many academic and sport awards to her credit. She is a member of the National Honor Society, has been on multiple honor rolls and won team finalist, along with her sister, at the INTEL International Science & Engineering Fair last year, with the experiment: "Sodium Benzoate: Preservative or Growth Hormone." The team also took first place for the experiment from the U.S. Air Force.
Dennler is also a member of the Lady Mustangs' two-time championship basketball team. She was named player of the game at two soccer games by MaxPreps last season.
Dennler holds a 4.241 GPA and plans to attend Stanford University in the fall. She will be majoring in science and engineering, with a focus on decision making and risk analysis.
Dennler said she would like to go into national security and intelligence after college.
But for now she plans to work in Lovelock through the summer. Shortly before classes start on Sept. 20, she plans to take a pre-orientation backpacking trip with her future classmates at the Stanford Engineering Academy.
"It kind of helps us get to know each other. I'm really looking forward to it," Dennler said.
To her younger classmates she leaves this bit of advice: "Take every opportunity you have. It will pay off. Enjoy it (high school days), it slips away before you know it," Dennler said.
[[In-content Ad]]She is headed for the U.S. Naval Academy
LOVELOCK - Among her many other achievements, Sarita Jo Condi has been named Pershing County High School Class of 2013 Salutatorian.
Condi carries a 4.235 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is a member of this year's champion volleyball and basketball teams and has earned 11 varsity letters in volleyball, basketball and track and field. She was named 2A State Most Valuable Player and received the Gatorade and Reviglio Way to Go Awards, and those are just for this year.
"High school has been an amazing adventure for me," Condi said.
She leaves her younger classmates with this piece of advice.
"Enjoy school; it goes by really fast. You'll look back and see it wasn't so bad and it was probably the best time you had," she said.
Condi will attend the U.S. Naval Academy in the fall. She has already signed up to play basketball for the Academy and leaves shortly after graduation for its basketball camp.
Her summer will be full, she said. After basketball camp she goes into induction, the Academy's equivalent to boot camp. She said she knows that it will be a physical adventure but she is up to it.
"I researched the requirements and I'm ready for it," she said.
What will she miss when she leaves? Her family and friends, but also, "I'll miss the support. Everyone is so involved in our community. I'll miss the support and encouragement everyone has given me the most."
Even with that, Condi said she is excited to start this next chapter in her life.
