Cherokee Val, Sals Set High Goals

Exams have been graded. Final GPAs have been calculated. And the race to the top of the class of 2011 has been decided.

Meet the three students who received Cherokee's coveted valedictorian and salutatorian designations. For the names of all 388 graduates, click on the PDF on this page.

Full name: Abbas Raza

Class designation: Valedictorian

Son of: Khawaja Mahmood and Asifa Raza

Age: 17

GPA: 99.35

ACT: 32 (English: 31; Math: 32; Reading: 34; Science: 31)

High school activities: Robotics (First Tech Challenge and First Robotics Competition); Cross Country; Swimming; Beta Club; National Honor Society; Independent tutor

Scholarships: $1,000 from Teradata Corporation; $500 from Cherokee High for highest ACT; Full HOPE Scholarship

College of choice: Georgia Institute of Technology

Chosen major: Industrial engineering

Career aspiration: Management consulting or investment banking

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Full name: Inessa Radchuk

Class designation: Co-salutatorian

Daughter of: Vasiliy and Olga Radchuk

Age: 18 

GPA: 99.13

ACT: 25 

High school activities: National Honor Society; Track; Dual enrollment; Tutoring

College of choice: Kennesaw State University

Chosen major: Biology 

Career aspiration: Dentist

* * *

Name: Joshua Alowishes Rodriguez

Class designation: Co-salutatorian

Son of: John Rodriguez and Amanda Rodriguez

Age: 18

GPA: 98.69

SAT: 1840

ACT: 27

High school activities: National Honor Society; BETA Club; Reading Bowl; Academic Bowl; Environmental Action Club

Scholarship offer: $22,000 renewable scholarship to Mercer University for five years.

College of choice: I have enlisted in the Navy in the Nuclear Power Program. My official job area is in the Nuclear Field (NF). I ship out for boot camp on Dec. 1, 2011, and I begin my schooling for the nuclear program nine weeks after that.

Chosen major: Nuclear engineering

Career aspiration: I wish to become an officer in the United States Navy and to obtain a Ph.D. in an engineering field area. I believe joining the Navy will allow me to accomplish the goals and will provide me with many amazing opportunities.