Subscribe
to the E-Star!

Yosemite High valedictorians honored at Pitman Awards

Brian Wilkinson

(Updated: Thursday, May 12, 2011, 3:51 PM)

The 14 Yosemite High School's Class of 2011 Valedictorians were honored May 5 during the Paul and Martha Pitman Awards Banquet at Sierra Meadow Golf Course.

Along with earning the mandatory 4.0 grade point average and taking international baccalaureate and advanced placement classes, these students also excelled in sports, the arts, various academic competitions and were active in a variety of clubs.

"This event recognizes the achievements of students who have excelled in their journey through high school," said Rima Runtzel, event coordinator and executive assistant of corporate communications for Sierra Telephone, sponsor of the event. "These students have gone above and beyond the expectations of the school through academics, extracurricular activities and personal accomplishments. These students are truly inspiring."

The students honored for their academic achievements, the colleges they will attend in the fall and their majors are:Brian Wilkinson/Sierra

Elizabeth Avena, University of California, Berkeley, environmental science.

Joanna Barney, Simpson University.

Mitchell Freshen, Azusa Pacific University, business administration.

Gretchen Fruth, California State University, Fresno, forensic behavioral sciences.

Shivani Gill, University of California, Davis.

Mary Gomez, California Polytechnic State University, Pomona, apparel merchandising and Management.

Erica Grant, University of California, Los Angeles, microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics.

Nicholas Greene, West Point Acadamy.

Kazia Hart, University of California, Davis.

Dillon Jones, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obisbo, biochemistry.

Natalie Neff, University of California, Santa Cruz, botany.

Brandon Rose, University of California, Davis, mathematics.

Lacey Smith, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Kathryn Voltmer. Sonoma State, math.

Among the valedictorians are the school's Science Club president and tennis team captain (Avina), California Scholarship Federation Treasurer (Fruth), three year CIF scholar athlete (Gomez), president of Destination Imagination Club (Grant), California Cadet Corps 5th Brigade Commander (Greene) and Theatre Club president (Neff).

Members of the elite group played tennis, basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, ran cross country and track and field, and were on the water polo and swim teams. In addition, the valedictorians were members of the associated student body, FFA, Interact Club, Drama Club, helped tutor students, played in the band and excelled in art.

Each valedictorian received a variety of gifts donated by local businesses, individuals and service clubs.

Tim Madden, past Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce president, was master of ceremonies and school principal Ed VanHoose introduced each valedictorian and noted their accomplishments.

In a surprise presentation, the Board of Regents of the Emerson Institute awarded Yosemite Union School District Superintendent Steve Raupp an honorary doctorate degree. This is only the third honorary degree issued in the Institute's 20 year history.

Raupp was recognized for his 33 years of service to the Yosemite High School district and the Oakhurst community. The presentation was made by Angelo Pizelo, president and director of the Emerson Institute.

During Raupp's tenure the school has received two Distinguished Schools awards from the State Department of Education. Pizelo said that Raupp has taken the school through two successful Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation and the last review stated that "Steve Raupp is the glue that holds the school together."

Emerson Institute is an institute of higher learning, owned, controlled and operated by the Positive Living Center of Central California, Inc. a non-denomination church headquartered in Oakhurst for the past 20 years. Emerson Institute has many affiliated centers throughout the United States, Australia and London.

The Pitmans, for which the banquet is named after, were Valley educators who were instrumental in the formation of Yosemite High School after retiring to the area in the early 70s. Martha Pitman was chairperson of the Citizen Committee and Paul Pitman was the education counselor for the five Mountain Area elementary schools.

After the Sept. 18, 1973 election results of 1,659 to 244 in favor of separation from the Sierra Joint Union School District, the new district was formed. Paul Pitman was the first superintendent of the Yosemite Unified School District and Yosemite High School opened with 450 students in September 1976.

Yosemite High School graduation will be held at 7 p.m., June 8 in Badger Stadium.