An interesting situation developed this year at Andrews High School where Amber King is the valedictorian, Olivia Foy is the salutatorian.
The unusual twist is Foy’s twin sister, Amanda, finished with the third highest grade point average.
In fact, only one-tenth of a pony separates King and Olivia Foy and the Foy twins’ GPA is one-tenth-of-a-point from being a tie.
But, there can only be one valedictorian and one salutatorian.
King said graduating at the top of her class is a goal she set for herself even before she started high school.
She credits the “pushing” she received from her parents — Mark and Denise King — to help her stay motivated through the years although, she added she feels she would have met her goal regardless.
“I knew what I had to do,” she said. “Some of it just happened, just fell into place but I had to do a lot of studying.”
King, who is headed to Clemson this fall, moved from Virginia to South Carolina with her family when she was in 4th grade.
She plans to work to obtain a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
“I was going to go into biology but there are not many jobs out there for that. Not a lot of money in it,” she said. “You can do a lot of architecture with civil engineering. I am interested in building and am good in math and science.”
She said she decided Clemson would be the college of her choice after attending an agricultural program at that school in 2007.
King said a teacher who has been a big help through the years has been Kristen Jacobs who teaches agriculture science.
“She is like a sister to me and she also graduated from Clemson.”
King said she will miss her hometown once she moves to the upstate.
“”Andrews is not a bad place to live. It’s a nice town.”
In ten years, King said she hopes to have a family of her own and be living in “not too big of a city” somewhere in South Carolina.
“I might work on building projects that will help people,” she said.
Olivia Foy
Olivia Foy said she has been a book worm since elementary school.
That love to study has paid off as she is graduating barely in second place of her class of 160 students.
Like King, Foy said she too was pushed by her parents — Lisa and David Foy — to succeed.
“They put pressure on me to make A’s and B’s since elementary school and if I didn’t I was grounded,” she said.
Since she never wanted to be grounded, Foy worked hard from a young age to make good grades. After a while, studying to be the best became a habit and the threats of punishment from her parents was no longer needed.
Foy plans to stay in the area and attend Coastal Carolina University this fall where she plans to pursue a degree in elementary education.
She has always loved being around children but really discovered her passion for teaching that age group when she and her mother began conducting services for the children at Victory Free Will Baptist Church in Andrews.
It was hard for Foy to name a favorite teacher because, she said, they have all contributed to her education. But, she said, teachers Jane Montgomery and George Geer were two that stand out.
Foy said she has no idea where she will be living in ten years but she hopes it will be a small town.
She wants to teach kids in the 3rd, 4th or 5th grade.
“I have a lot more fun with kids in that age group,” she said.
Foy said she would like to get married but wants to keep her priorities in order.
“I have to put my education first then I will think about getting married,” she said.
Not going alone
Foy will not be alone when she goes to CCU this fall.
Her twin, Amanda, will be her dorm mate and plans top study business.
The two were born one minute apart and have been nearly inseparable throughout their lives.
Amanda will also be recognized during Andrews High’s graduation.
Principal Michelle Staggers said her school is the only one in the county that sets aside time during the ceremony to honor the top ten graduates in the outgoing class.
: 6/3/2009
All three of these young ladies are wonderful students. I missed all of you this year. I wish you the best and please keep in touch. Best wishes, Lisa Archer