Standout grads have much in common

Class of 2008 valedictorian Kelli Wiswell and co-salutatorians Amanda Alojado and Melissa Hargis have a lot in common.Sure, on the surface, all are exceptional students who carried 4.2-plus GPAs while juggling honors and AP courses with an array of extracurricular activities such as student government, Interact Key Club and cross-country track.But Wiswell, 17, Alojado, 18, and Hargis, 17 are also alike in spirit – self-motivated, optimistic and appreciative of the teachers and families behind their success.Wiswell, who plans to earn a master's in accounting at Brigham Young University, Provo, credits family as the impetus for her 4.3 GPA."My mom has really been an example," she said. "She never really told me to get good grades; she just always did the best she could."With her degree, Wiswell said she will work from home as she raises her own children."I want to be a stay-at-home mom," she said. "Family is really important to me and I'm excited to start my own in the future."Similar family ties inspired Alojado's achievements."I want to be a role model for my younger sister," she said.Like Wiswell, Alojado will migrate out-of-state after graduation – to the Philippines, where she hopes to receive a master's in nursing and, more specifically, in anesthesia. "They pay good money," she said, laughing. "But really, it's something I think I'd be good at."Of course, moving on will be bittersweet. As a proud two-year ROTC student, Alojado said she's sad to know the expiring course won't continue without her."It's an honor to be one of the last people in the program," she said. Alojado's co-salutatorian, Hargis, thanked her Granddad for steering her in the right direction."He inspired me to do my best," she said. "It was always a goal of mine to get good grades."Hargis plans to major in liberal studies and education at California State University, Chico – the next step on the road to her longtime dream of becoming an elementary school teacher."I've known since I was in third grade that I wanted to be a teacher," she said. "I've had some really good elementary teachers; I learned a lot and I want to be able to do the same for my students."Other than that, her goals are pretty open-ended."For me, it's just to be happy," she said. "To make a difference in the world and be remembered for being a good person."Along with praise for their families, the women also lauded Lincoln High School and its staff."They taught me to set goals for myself and achieve them," Hargis said."I learned how to learn," Winswell said. "Mr. (Mike) Maul, especially, helped me develop a good work ethic."Alojado said the school cultivated her determination."If you work hard and don't give up, you will reach your goals," she said.