WHS Class of 2017 has three top students

This year two seniors will graduate with a 4.0 and represent the Wahkiakum High School Class of 2017 as co-valedictorians.

Makenzie Anderson will travel to Cheney this fall to tackle pre-requisite classes at Eastern Washington University.

"I'm not really sure what I want to go into yet, but I've always leaned towards the medical field," Makenzie said. "Initially I wanted to attend Eastern for their dental hygiene program, but I don't really know if I still want to do that."

She's keeping her options open with the Washington State University Health Science school in Spokane nearby.

"I've been looking into nursing," Makenzie said. "I would want to specialize in labor and delivery. I think that would be fun."

Eventually she plans to get a master's degree.

Makenzie enjoys math and science classes.

"The way my brain works is right and wrong," she said. "I'm not really into analyzing or English or history. I want a definite answer."

It follows that Ms. Haberlach, the math teacher, is her favorite.

"She's very understanding with school work and personal life," Makenzie said. "She's very supportive and she tries to incorporate real world situations into the learning environment."

Makenzie admits she struggled in middle school, but something shifted when she moved up to the high school.

"The teachers were really supportive," she said. "I got involved and started pushing myself when things weren't as easy as I thought they should be. I found out I could achieve good grades and I am smart. It's been a kind of self determination."

That was really obvious on the volleyball court, where she shined for the Mules. Makenzie also played club volleyball in Longview for three years.

"Hopefully I can continue to play intramural volleyball in college," Makenzie said.

Makenzie played softball while Wahkiakum had a team. She was involved in FFA, Key Club, and enjoyed a leadership class she took with Ms. Leitz. She helped plan some events and volunteered in many more, including the Veteran's Day assembly, the Crab and Oyster Feed, the Rods & Reels Rod Run, Wounded Warriors, the haunted house, and Kiwanis breakfast on Bald Eagle Day.

Makenzie is the daughter of Kristin Anderson and Mike Anderson.