community GRADUATION 2017
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SECTION C • SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2017
The Coughlin triplets, as they’re known around the halls of Meadowcreek High School, are among the 595 graduates in the school’s Class of 2017, but they’re also known as Bradley, Lucy and Samuel. (Staff Photo: Keith Farner)
Triplets to turn tassels
BY KEITH FARNER
keith.farner@gwinnettdailypost.com
The day Cicely Lewis learned that the three students she’d known for months were actually triplets, she let out a scream. The Meadowcreek High School media specialist described the Coughlin triplets as the quirkiest, zaniest, fun-loving trio that supports and speaks positively of each other. “They’re awesome and they’re just fun, I’m going to miss them so much,” Lewis said. “They’re honest, they’re hard-working, they don’t stop. If anybody were to ask, I would say they’re the best kids to work with, and you know I don’t say that about everybody.” The Coughlin triplets, as they’re known around the halls of Meadowcreek, are among the 595 graduates in the school’s Class of 2017, but they’re also known as Bradley, Lucy and Samuel. While they have a large extended family — their mother has seven sisters, and their father has two brothers and one sister — multiples don’t run in the family, and there aren’t any twins or triplets on
Class of 2017 Coughlins leave mark on Meadowcreek
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either side. “All throughout high school, everyone’s basically known that we’re all triplets, all the students know,” Lucy said. “My friends, they all call me Sam and Brad sometimes to make fun of me.” Added Samuel, “It’s weird, because you don’t really feel that different about being a triplet, it doesn’t feel that special, because it’s part of every day. When people are surprised, it kind of surprises you, too, because you wouldn’t expect it to be weird, but I guess it is.” They have each taken at least 10 Advanced Placement classes in their high school careers, and each have at least a 3.2 grade-point-average. In the fall, they’re expecting to enroll at Bradley University, Georgia State University and Columbus State University. Lifelong Meadowcreek cluster See TRIPLETS, Page 6C
GCPS Class of 2017 most decorated to date BY KEITH FARNER
seniors, and 85 percent of them said they plan to continue education in college or postsecondary schools, a More than 12,000 students plan slight uptick from last year. Meanto graduate in the coming days from while, 85 percent of them plan to Gwinnett County Public Schools attend college in Georgia. as the district described the class of The seniors who plan to continue 2017 as the largest and most decotheir education have been offered, rated to date. as of April, more than $181 million “They are among the best prein academic, athletic and military pared of any graduating class and are scholarships. The majority of the prepared for the next chapter in their scholarship amount, more than $94 lives,” CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin million, was earned for academic Wilbanks said in a press release. “We achievement. Gwinnett students wish them well and congratulate also received nearly $80 million in them on their hard work and persisathletic scholarships, and more than tence, knowing they are ready for the $7.6 million due to military appointfuture. And, while the focus is on the ments. graduates at this time of year, I also Those military appointments were would like to thank their families, the to 19 students, including seven each thousands of dedicated teachers, and to the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the committed administrators who in the Army at the U.S. Military provided support and guidance to Academy at West Point. them throughout the years.” The monetary awards do not Overall, Gwinnett County Public include HOPE or QuestBridge Schools counts 12,150 graduating Scholarship recipients. As of May of
keith.farner@gwinnettdailypost.com
2017, 19 Gwinnett seniors earned a full scholarship through the QuestBridge College Match Program. Five of the seniors are Archer High School graduates. Mill Creek High graduates the largest class this year with 952 students, followed by Brookwood High with 786, and Norcross High with 755. The class of 2017 includes 3,092 honor graduates, who are graduating with a grade-percent average of 90 or better. During their high school career, 6,982 seniors took Advanced Placement courses and 3,341 scored a three or above on an AP Exam, meaning they likely received college credit to many schools. While members of the class of 2017 were working on their high school diploma, 891 of them also earned college credit through the state’s Move On When Ready dual enrollment program.
MILITARY APPOINTMENTS • Alicia Suciu, Archer, U.S. Naval Academy • Sana Daley, Brookwood, U.S. Air Force Academy • Bailey Hopkins, Brookwood, U.S. Air Force Academy • Clarissa Jolley, Brookwood, U.S. Air Force Academy • Jacob Gregory, Collins Hill, U.S. Naval Academy • Paul Harris, Dacula, U.S. Military Academy at West Point • Jaden Stanley-Williams, Discovery, U.S. Air Force Academy • Gregory Pelland, Duluth, U.S. Military Academy at West Point • Jake Killian, Grayson, U.S. Military Academy at West Point • Branton Fletcher, Mill Creek, U.S. Military Acad-
emy at West Point • Amya Hudson, Mill Creek, U.S. Naval Academy • Sara Scales, Mill Creek, U.S. Military Academy at West Point • Michael Sobczyk, Mountain View, U.S. Air Force Academy • Sean Mckendree, Norcross, U.S. Air Force Academy • Ryan Stark, Norcross, U.S. Naval Academy • James Thigpen, North Gwinnett, U.S. Naval Academy • Mackensie Nechanicky, Peachtree Ridge, U.S. Air Force Academy • Julian Mcduffie, Shiloh, U.S. Military Academy at West Point • Israel Koker-Thomas, Shiloh, U.S. Military Academy at West Point
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2C • Sunday, May 21, 2017
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2017
GRADUATION 2017
The Post presents this year’s area honor graduates
CLASS OF
GWINNETT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARCHER HIGH SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
BROOKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorian: Erduana Omeragic Salutatorian: Caleb Kim Graduates: 651 Honor graduates: 213 Ceremony: 6 p.m. May 28, Infinite Energy Center
Valedictorian: Jimmy Tran Salutatorian: Diane Lin Graduates: 525 Honor graduates: 93 Ceremony: 8:30 a.m. May 29, Infinite Energy Center
Valedictorian: Tony Zeng Salutatorian: Karl Patram Graduates: 786 Honor graduates: 238 Ceremony: 8 p.m. May 24, Brookwood Stadium
CENTRAL GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL
COLLINS HILL HIGH SCHOOL
DACULA HIGH SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorian: Qasim Hassan Salutatorian: Michelle Vo Graduates: 473 Honor graduates: 70 Ceremony: 7 p.m. May 24, Central Gwinnett Stadium
Valedictorian: Camden Jones Salutatorian: Shahrik Punja Graduates: 714 Honor graduates: 208 Ceremony: 7:30 p.m. May 26, Infinite Energy Center
Valedictorian: Thandiwe Persaud Salutatorian: Paul Dittamo Graduates: 455 Honor graduates: 93 Ceremony: 8 p.m. May 24, Infinite Energy Center
DISCOVERY HIGH SCHOOL
DULUTH HIGH SCHOOL
GRAYSON HIGH SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorian: Obumneme Godson Osele Salutatorian: Tiffany Nguyen Graduates: 453 Honor graduates: 58 Ceremony: 8 a.m. May 25, Discovery Stadium
Valedictorian: Suk Joon Na Salutatorian: Tvestomira Peykova Graduates: 601 Honor graduates: 167 Ceremony: 2 p.m. May 27, Infinite Energy Center
Valedictorian: Mirela Vojnikovic Salutatorian: Katherine Meadows Graduates: 688 Honor graduates: 201 Ceremony: 7:30 p.m. May 27, Infinite Energy Center
GWINNETT ONLINE CAMPUS
GSMST
LANIER HIGH SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorian: Karen Elizabeth Cranston Salutatorian: Sarah Kearns Graduates: 119 Honor graduates: 2 Ceremony: 7 p.m. May 24, GOC Auditorium
Valedictorian: Sabarish Sainathan Salutatorian: Kyle Patel Graduates: 195 Honor graduates: 91 Ceremony: 5 p.m. May 25, Infinite Energy Exhibit Halls
Valedictorian: Danny Nguyen Salutatorian: Michelle Derewitz Graduates: 375 Honor graduates: 103 Ceremony: 2 p.m. May 25, Infinite Energy Center
MEADOWCREEK HIGH SCHOOL
MILL CREEK HIGH SCHOOL
MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorian: Aljon Pineda Salutatorian: Brittany Castaneda Graduates: 595 Honor graduates: 98 Ceremony: 3 p.m. May 24, Infinite Energy Arena
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BERKMAR HIGH SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorian: Mohamad-Baasim Rehan Salutatorian: Bryan Endsley Graduates: 952 Honor graduates: 349 Ceremony: 8 p.m. May 24, Markham Field at Mill Creek
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorian: Santiago Escobar Salutatorian: Cheyenne Stewart Graduates: 470 Honor graduates: 118 Ceremony: 2 p.m. May 26, Infinite Energy Center
Sunday, May 21, 2017 • 3C
gwinnettdailypost.com GRADUATION 2017 NORCROSS HIGH SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
NORTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL
SALUTATORIAN
VALEDICTORIAN
PARKVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
SALUTATORIAN
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorian: Alice Peng Salutatorian: Jennifer Lynn Wang Graduates: 755 Honor graduates: 138 Ceremony: 8:30 a.m. May 26, Infinite Energy Center
Valedictorian: Victoria Fonzi Salutatorian: Jonathan Park Graduates: 662 Honor graduates: 287 Ceremony: 8:30 a.m. May 25, Infinite Energy Center
Valedictorian: Tanish Pradham Salutatorian: Kiara Harding Graduates: 704 Honor graduates: 198 Ceremony: 8 p.m. May 24, Parkview Community Stadium
PEACHTREE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
SHILOH HIGH SCHOOL
SOUTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorian: Eric Yan Salutatorian: Josephine Rudd Graduates: 748 Honor graduates: 263 Ceremony: 7:30 p.m. May 25, Infinite Energy Center
VALEDICTORIAN
Valedictorian: Mehul Mehra Salutatorian: Anya Solomon Graduates: 456 Honor graduates: 49 Ceremony: 1 p.m. May 28, Infinite Energy Center
BUFORD CITY SCHOOLS BUFORD HIGH SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
VALEDICTORIAN
Valedictorian: Diana Kalima Salutatorian: Kaila Lattimore Graduates: 540 Honor graduates: 55 Ceremony: 8:30 a.m. May 27, Infinite Energy Arena
BARROW COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM APALACHEE HIGH SCHOOL
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorian: Olivia Grace Brewer Salutatorian: Hannah Jean Gilbert Graduates: 275 Honor graduates: 45 Ceremony: 7 p.m. May 26, Buford Arena
SALUTATORIAN
VALEDICTORIAN
WINDER-BARROW HIGH SCHOOL
SALUTATORIAN
VALEDICTORIAN
Valedictorian: Ryan Miller Salutatorian: Jessica Hogsed Graduates: 346 Honor graduates: 109 Ceremony: 8 p.m. May 18, school’s football stadium
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorian: Donna Ganjuee Salutatorian: Isaac St. Clair Graduates: N/A Honor graduates: 109 Ceremony: 8 p.m. May 19, W. Clair Harris Stadium
GWINNETT COUNTY PRIVATE SCHOOLS COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorian: Caleb Godwin Salutatorian: Ally Warnke Graduates: Nine Honor graduates: N/A Ceremony: 10 a.m. May 27, 12Stone Church in Snellville KILLIAN HILL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
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Valedictorian: Ke jia “Jacky” Zhang Salutatorian: Matthew E. Dittrich Graduates: 22 Honor graduates: N/A Ceremony: May 15
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorian: Abby Kettle Salutatorian: Alex Hines Graduates: 188 Honor graduates: N/A Ceremony: N/A
HEBRON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorians: Madison Taylor McClung and Kendall Mills Saville Salutatorian: Emily Nicole Boyd Graduates: 98 Honor graduates: 24 Ceremony: 7 p.m. May 19, Hebron Baptist Church Worship Center
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
VALEDICTORIAN
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorian: Joshua Randrup Salutatorian: Kelsey Hoskin Graduates: 71 Honor graduates: 52 Ceremony: 10 a.m. May 27, Mount Carmel Christian Church, Stone Mountain
WESLEYAN SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
SALUTATORIAN
Valedictorian: Angela Yang Salutatorian: Grace Chapman Graduates: 127 Honor graduates: N/A Ceremony: 8:30 a.m. May 20, on campus
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4C • Sunday, May 21, 2017
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Sunday, May 21, 2017 • 5C
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4C • Sunday, May 21, 2017
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Sunday, May 21, 2017 • 5C
6C • SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2017
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graduation 2017 19 Gwinnett seniors honored as QuestBridge Scholars BY KEITH FARNER
keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com
There’s now no need to tap the checkbook or 529 account for 19 graduating seniors from Gwinnett high schools. Nearly two dozen Gwinnett County Public Schools seniors will have their entire college career paid in full after being named QuestBridge National College Match Recipients. QuestBridge is a nonprofit organization that links high-achieving, low-income students to some of
•From Page 1C students, they grew up going through Lilburn
the nation’s most selective colleges. The 19 recipients are part of a group of only 767 students nationwide honored this year. QuestBridge partners with col-
Elementary and Lilburn Middle. “Lucy’s the boss,” Lewis said. “She pushes them
leges that offer generous financial aid packages that cover 100 percent of demonstrated financial need, making them very affordable for low-income students. The organization matches the students with its partner colleges, 38 of the nation’s premier universities. The Gwinnett QuestBridge Scholars and the colleges they plan to attend are: • Runako Campbell, Archer High, Princeton University; • Ethan Cano, Archer High, Northwestern University; • Caleb Kim, Archer High, Yale University;
Triplets
to do better and she kind of keeps them in line.” Samuel is the oldest by one minute, then Bradley
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• Erduana Omeragic, Archer High, Emory University; • Patrick Osaseri, Archer High, Haverford College; • Christopher Saroza, Collins Hill High, University of Chicago; • Marie-Emmanuelle Tano, Dacula High, Pomona College; • Obumneme Osele, Discovery High, Northwestern University; • Carina Walton-Roberts, Grayson High, University of Notre Dame; • Ketsia Zinga, Grayson High, Columbia University; • Jyot Batra, GSMST, Yale University;
and Lucy, who is two minutes younger than Bradley. When they were younger, they would have one large birthday party on Aug. 11, but in recent years, they’ve split off to celebrate mostly with their own friends. While they admit they often are described as a set, they try to establish their own identity and interests. Bradley plays and is interested in sports, while Lucy plays softball and is involved in theater and Samuel is the most musically inclined — he plays the viola and ukulele — and involved in the school orchestra and arts programs. Meadowcreek Assistant Principal Jimmie McKinley said the Coughlins are involved and add to the culture of the school. “Hopefully they’ll take what they learned here and move forward with it as leaders,” he said. “They placed their mark on us as a school, and we’re just excited for them and their future.” The siblings are com-
• Doan Bui, GSMST, Washington and Lee University; • Elhadji Diop, GSMST, Rice University; • Aditya Santoki, GSMST, Duke University; • Mikala Bashale, Meadowcreek High, Emory University; • Andreea Boaca, Mill Creek High, Princeton University; • Imane Mabrouk, Norcross High, Princeton University; • Meron Amariw, South Gwinnett High, Northwestern University; and • Cleon Beckford, South Gwinnett High, Northwestern University.
petitive with one another and often ask to compare test results. They agree that Samuel is the best at science, Bradley is the most passionate about math, but they debate about who’s the best. In college, Lucy plans to study film and production, Bradley said he would pursue sports communication and statistics, and Samuel said he would study chemistry or biology, minor in French and go for a track toward veterinarian school. They went through Meadowcreek at a time when it began the academy model of learning, which started when they were freshmen, and it’s recently received awards such as Principal Tommy Welch being named the Georgia Principal of the Year and the school opening of a new makerspace for robotics and STEM studies. McKinley added that the class of 2017 has experienced the transformation of work-based learning and 21st century skills in the school. “They’ve seen that
growth, and been a part of that growth as leaders,” he said. “I think their mark is really going to be the culminating experience of college and career readiness.” Despite previously being described with derogatory names, Meadowcreek has a proud place in their minds, especially when it comes to diversity and school spirit. “It’s a great school,” Bradley said. “If you have an option to go here, go here.” Added Samuel, “It’s really changed a lot.” That may be one of the last school experiences they have in common, and in general the Coughlins said they haven’t spent much long-term time apart growing up. That is set to change this fall. “I just feel bad for my mom because she had three kids, and then we’re all going to be gone,” Lucy said. “She’s excited for us to be moving on, but she’s sad that the house is going to be empty with just her and our dad.”
SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2017 • 7C
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graduation 2017
Shiloh High graduates first class of IB BY KEITH FARNER
keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com
Shiloh High teacher Jamilya Mayo, here with students in her classroom, has coordinated the International Baccalaureate Career Related Certificate Programme at the school since it was awarded the component in 2014. (Staff Photo: Keith Farner)
aims to give students an academic and a practiGraduating seniors from Shiloh High’s International Baccalaureate Career Related cal foundation to support Certificate Programme recently posed for the picture as the first graduating class from both their rigorous classes the component after it came to Shiloh in 2014. (Special Photo) and specialized training in their career pathway. will choose their careershe said. at least 100 community IBCC combines highly related studies within a caThe IBCP program reservice hours, at least two regarded and internationreer academy. The original cently expanded to Shiloh accelerated courses in IB ally recognized IB DiShiloh career academies Middle, and Mayo said and must complete a career ploma Programme courses were offered in Art, Media, that will help the transition pathway. with an approved careerand Entertainment; Health, for students, and increase The community service related study and a unique Wellness, and Education; the numbers of students component was not just IBCC core, which includes Marketing and Leadership; enrolled. She hopes to showing up at a homeless and Science and Technolgrow the program to have shelter, for example, but ogy. 30 students each year. developing a project. One “It’s definitely an interMayo has been a career example was a beautificaesting experience, someand technical education tion project at the high thing I’m happy that I took teacher for more than a school. Another student part of because it opened decade at Shiloh. She’s taught public speaking doors to new opportunitaught business, marketing, with nearby fifth-graders, ties,” said Diki Gurung, and worked as the workwhile another taught a graduating senior who based learning coordinator middle schoolers how to chose a pathway of Health, for the past four years. code. Wellness and Education. In 2010, Mayo received Several of the students Vanessa Anagbo-Dowe- the Junior Achievement worked gifted internships, tin said the IBCP showed Teacher of the Year Award which mean they finished her how to better manage from the Atlanta Chapter their IB courses at school, her time. of Junior Achievement. and left campus for the “If you’re younger, it’s Among the requirements internship. better, because you get an to finish is within the “They’re professional open mindset, ‘OK, this is junior and senior years of driven directly to their what I’m trying to expect high school, students must pathway,” Mayo said. going into high school,’” take a foreign language, The IBCC Programme
approaches to learning, community and service, language development and a reflective project. In essence, this is designed to help students become self-confident and internationally minded, while incorporating the IB vision and educational principles as they become engaged in their chosen career-related studies.
Nine Gwinnett seniors named Posse Scholars BY KEITH FARNER
Posses — of 10 students. Those scholars go on to graduate at a rate of 90 percent and many make a Nine Gwinnett County visible difference on camPublic Schools seniors pus and throughout their have been awarded fourprofessional careers, Posse year, full-tuition scholarofficials have said. ships by the Posse FoundaPosse has chapters in tion. Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, And four of them will Houston, Los Angeles, bring a Gwinnett presence Miami, New Orleans, New to a private school in Ohio, York and Washington, The College of Wooster. D.C. Founded in 1989, Posse Posse opened its 10th identifies public high chapter in the Bay Area in school students with ex2015. traordinary academic and Posse partners with 57 leadership potential who of the best colleges and may be overlooked by tra- universities in the nation. ditional college selection Bard College, Boston processes. Posse offers University, Brandeis students the opportunity University, The College to pursue personal and of Wooster, The George academic excellence by Washington University, placing them in supportSyracuse University and ive, multicultural teams — Texas A&M University keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com
host posse cohorts from the Atlanta Posse Chapter. The 2017 Posse Scholars from GCPS are: • Kendall Castaneda, Berkmar, Boston University; • Cesar Lopez, Berkmar, The College of Wooster; • Natalia Parra, Collins Hill, The College of Wooster; • Kamilah Harruna, Dacula, Boston University; • Kevin Fully, Dacula, Brandeis University; • Jenelle Booster, GSMST, The College of Wooster; • Maria Pozo, Norcross, Brandeis University; • Citlali Mota, Peachtree Ridge, Georgia Washington University; and • Stachal Harris, South Gwinnett, The College of Wooster.
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Students from Gwinnett’s first graduating class of the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Certificate Programme is set to receive their certificates, seals and, most importantly, competence to enter the real world with work experience and college credit. “It gives students a global perspective, and it’s not all about an IQ. It’s really about some of the IB principles, being disciplined, or being a leader,” said Jamilya Mayo, Shiloh High’s IBCC Coordinator. The Shiloh High program was approved and Mayo began coordinating it in 2014, and while it began with 25 students, the graduating class has 16 students. The combination of dual enrollment, extracurricular activities and the rigorous demands of the program attributed to the drop in students, Mayo said. But the ones who stayed contributed plenty. “Some of them are very studious, but some of them are average students, but all of them are determined, though,” Mayo said. “They’re very excited about the program and being a part of the program. I think a lot of them might’ve started off not thinking that they could do it, and … what happens is these students have become a family.” Students worked closely with the school’s new career academies, which were new when the program began, as students
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8C • Sunday, May 21, 2017
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