Kennedi LaBerge is WHS valedictorian

Kennedi LaBerge is the Valedictorian for Wahkiakum High School's Class of 2016. She will graduate with a 3.99 GPA.

Her work ethic runs in the family. Her sister, Madison, was Salutatorian for the Class of 2014. LaBerge admits there is some external pressure to do well, but said that most of it comes from within.

"It still bugs me that my GPA is a 3.99," LaBerge said. "I had a 4.0 until the first semester of this year when I got an A- in an online class, Honors American Lit."

But she quickly shifted forward and acknowledged that the online class was good preparation for college.

LaBerge applied to three colleges, but it was OSU's business department that made the sale.

"I'm going to OSU to major in marketing," LaBerge said. "I worked a lot with Doernbecher Children's Hospital. We had Doernbecher Week here and the Kids Making Miracles executive council that I was on in Portland. We put on a lot of events. There was a lot of advertising for that and I really enjoyed it."

If she had to pick a favorite teacher, it would be Mr. Cox.

"I had him for English my freshman year, LaBerge said. "He does a really good job challenging us and keeping us interested."

Math was her favorite subject, but she also enjoyed her chemistry and robotics classes.

LaBerge was active in volleyball and softball and spent one season on the basketball team. She was also a cheerleader for football and basketball. She was a member of the Key Club, a Link Leader, and a class vice president.

"I try to get involved as much as I can," she said.

LaBerge is especially proud that the volleyball made it to state all four years of her high school career.

"I got to step on the court all four years," she said, "even if it was just to serve two times my freshman year."

LaBerge will spend a second summer working as a field host for the Cowlitz Black Bears, as well as serving frozen yogurt at a shop in Longview.

Kennedi is the daughter of Pete and Patti LaBerge.