Jessica Thomas, WHS valedictorian

Jessica Thomas, Wahkiakum High School's Valedictorian for the Class of 2015 is a quiet and determined young woman with a lot on her mind the week before graduation.

Thomas is in charge of decorations and the slide show for the graduation ceremony. Plus there is the senior trip and baccalaureate to think about.

"It's just a jam packed week," Thomas said. "I'm not sure if the staff picked us or Morgan Elliott and I just volunteered."

A classmate walked by and she sighed.

"I think I'm feeling the feeling of graduation before everyone else," Thomas said. "Probably because I've already watched the slide show 800 times. I'm going to miss them all. I've grown up with them for the last 12 years, it's been the same group of people since I was five."

Thomas was an active student, participating in basketball and softball, even turning out for the cross country team her senior year.

"Sam Boyce and I promised Mrs. Niemeyer our freshman year that if she ever took over coaching the cross country team that we would join," Thomas said. "She texted us two weeks before school and asked if we wanted to run cross country. No! Both of us ended up doing it. It was good, it got me in shape for basketball."

She was an editor for the year book and was class president all four years of high school. She was involved in Key Club, Doernbecher, the Prom committee, co-captain of the basketball team her senior year and Homecoming Queen. She was the ASB Assistant Treasurer her sophomore year which turned into Treasurer her junior year, finally acting as press manager her senior year. She also volunteered with Big Brother Big Sister for a time.

Jessica is the daughter of Bill Thomas and Brandi Knowles Thomas, who passed away last year from breast cancer. Her mother's fight for health has fueled Thomas' goals for the future. She will be attending the University of Washington to study medicine, eventually specializing in oncology.

She refused to pick a favorite teacher.

"I like all my teachers, Thomas said. "As for classes, I really liked chemistry this year with Mr. Rooklidge."

"He's a great teacher."

She'll admit that much.

This summer she plans to spend her time with family and at work. She is a Community Health Advocate for the health department and will also do a bit of life-guarding at the pool.