The Class of 2017

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of shaking the hands of nearly 700 seniors as they graduated from Pike High School. I got a bit choked up in the emotions during graduation because of the pride I had in seeing our students succeed and prepared for their next journey. They represent our work and what we do everyday to maintain high expectations in making sure our scholars are college and career ready.

In the last 6 months as superintendent, I met several of our seniors through their activities such as the STEM and Career Center, Youth Career Connect (YCC) program, culinary arts, athletics, journalism, performing arts, International Baccalaureate, robotics, etc.  Those interactions throughout the last semester allowed me the opportunity experience the extraordinary education these scholars receive, the deep care from our faculty and staff, and our school community's drive to ensure our graduates are prepared for their next journey.

Join me in celebrating this success.

The Class of 2017-

• Class Motto - "We're the best you've seen; we're the class of 2017"
• Valedictorian - Supriya Chittajallu; Salutatorian- Naomi Castellon-Perez
• More than $12 Million in Scholarships;
• Each year our graduates attended Pike High School, the school has been recognized as one of America's Most Challenging High School by the Washington Post; 
• Pike High School graduates will be represented at 115 different college and university choices;
• Eighteen graduates enlisted in the US Military
• Six students are AP Scholars with Distinction
• Nine students are AP Scholars with Honor
• Twenty students are AP Scholars
• Nineteen students graduated with an International Baccalaureate Diploma
• One hundred and twenty students received the Principal's Award for having a 3.5 GPA or higher

Sprinting to the Next Level of Excellence

Who better fits the model of The Next Level of Excellence more that Pike's very own FOUR TIME STATE CHAMPION sprinter, Lynna Irby?

As I reflect on the MSD of Pike Township three year Strategic Plan entitled The Next Level of Excellence, we take seriously the responsibility in preparing our scholars to be prepared for their journey through and after high school graduation. Lynna's performance at Saturday's Girls Track and Field State Finals in Bloomington reminded me about our commitment and for Lynna's The Next Level of Excellence.

As well as an incredible athlete, Lynna graduated from Pike High School two days prior to the IHSSA Track and Field State Finals with the Principal's Excellence Award. This award is given to graduates with a 3.5 or higher GPA. In addition to her dedication as a sprinter outside the school setting, her school experiences in the classroom and on the PHS track
prepared Lynna to move to a level of excellence through acceptance at the University of Georgia. As she excelled at Pike High School, she continued to excel in world and national competitions.

Thank you, Lynna, for representing the MSD of Pike Township Schools on Saturday. We look forward to seeing what you will achieve in the future as both a scholar and an athlete. Georgia is lucky to be getting such an amazing young lady!