Arkansas High School recently announced the top 10 graduates of 2017.
Valedictorian
Cordy McJunkins is the son of Christina McJunkins and the grandson of Rudy McJunkins and Deanna McJunkins of Texarkana. He graduated with honors as an AP Scholar with Honor and a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. Throughout high school, Cordy has been an active member of the Interact Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Key Club, National Honor Society and AHS Young Republicans of America. He was a member of the AHS Varsity Tennis Team, recently serving as captain and selected for the All-State Tennis Team. Cordy volunteers as a tennis instructor for younger students in the community. In the fall, Cordy plans to attend Rice University to major in political science and psychology and hopes to someday become senator and/or governor of Arkansas.
Salutatorian
Matthew Roberts is the son of Kim and Clay Roberts and the grandson of Jerre and Bill Roberts and Judy Hicks and the late James Hicks of Texarkana. He graduated with honors as an AP Scholar with Honor and an Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholar. During high school, Matthew earned his four-year letterman as a member of the AHS Varsity Golf Team, was an active member of the National Honor Society and was nominated for Arkansas Boys State. He was also nominated for and participated in the Texarkana Today's Youth, Tomorrow's Leaders program and the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy. Matthew recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 16. Matthew plans to attend the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville in the fall.
Cameron Gammill, ranked third, is the son of Greg and Christy Gammill of Texarkana and Jamie and Karen Knighton of Lewisville, Ark., and the grandson of Martha and Arthur Kelley of Waldo, Ark., and Don and Brenda Gammill of Hope, Ark. He is an AP Scholar who graduated with honors. Throughout high school, he was involved in the Interact Club, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Students, DECA, National Honor Society, Math Club and Athletics. In the fall, Cameron will attend Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia on an academic scholarship and plans to major in agricultural science.
Lauryn Bocox, ranked fourth, is the daughter of Kristopher and Shelley Bocox and granddaughter of Phillip and Jacolyn Bocox of Texarkana, Diana Holland of Cabot, Ark., and Darrell Holland of Doniphan, Mo. She graduated with honors as an AP Scholar with Distinction and an Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholar. Lauryn has been a member of the Arkansas High Band throughout high school and a member of the All-Region Band for four years. She is an active member of National Honor Society and AHS Art Club and the secretary of Mathletes. Lauryn plans to attend Lyon College in Batesville, Ark., where she intends to major in English and minor in economics. She plans to become an editor.
Mary Cook, ranked fifth, is the daughter of Kerry and Jolane Cook of Texarkana, the granddaughter of Frank and Ginger Taylor and Randolph and Vada Moore and the great-granddaughter of Elaine Jackson. She graduated with honors from Arkansas High School. She was nominated, selected and participated in the Arkansas Governor's School during the summer before her senior year. She is an Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholar and an AP Scholar with Distinction. She is vice president of AHS National Honor Society and an active member of NIKE, Mathletes and Quizbowl. While taking concurrent classes at University of Arkansas at Hope-Texarkana this year, Mary was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges for academic achievement. Mary plans to attend Hendrix College and major in English.
Colton Fant, ranked sixth, is the son of Steve Fant and of Shelly and Joe Hickey and the grandson of the late Dixie Beck and of Bill and Brenda Beck of Texarkana and the late George Fant and Gay and Noah Martin of DeKalb, Texas. Colton is a member of Trinity Baptist Church, where he is a member of the church orchestra. He has been a member of the AHS Band throughout high school and is an active member of Key Club and Teenage Republicans. While taking concurrent classes at UA Hope-Texarkana this year, Colton was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges for academic achievement. Colton plans to study biomedical engineering at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and eventually become an orthopedic surgeon.
Reid Jenkins, ranked seventh, is the son of Melanie and Craig Jenkins of Texarkana and the grandson of David and Sue Cicero of Benton, Ark., and Kenneth and Barbara Jenkins of Fort Worth, Texas. During high school, Reid was a member of National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and AHS Varsity Soccer team and played in the praise band at Beech Street Baptist Church. He was nominated for and participated in Arkansas Boys State in the summer of 2016. Reid has been awarded the presidential scholarship at Ouachita Baptist University, where he'll attend in the fall to study pre-pharmacy.
Matthew Gustafson, ranked eighth, is the son of Shannon Gustafson, Howard and Sarah Gustafson, and grandson of Caroline Gustafson of Memphis, Tenn., and Judith Wright of Texarkana. During his high school years, Matthew was a member of National Honor Society, active in AHS Band all four years, serving as drum major as a junior and earning superior ratings in trombone and piano at various regional band competitions. Matthew plans to attend Southern Arkansas University in the fall to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.
Kelsi Petross, ranked ninth, is the daughter of Kris Petross of Texarkana and Cameron and Tonya Petross of De Queen, Ark., and the granddaughter of Roy and Johnette Peterson of Jefferson, Texas, and Carol Petross and the late Gerald Petross of Wickes, Ark. She graduated with honors from Arkansas High and has been an active member of National Honor Society, the Trap Team, Mathletes and HOSA as well as a member of the AHS Band and Gifted and Talented program. Kelsi is a community volunteer with the Salvation Army. She plans to attend the University of Arkansas at Monticello in the fall to pursue a double major of biology and biochemistry. After earning her bachelor's degrees, Kelsi plans to further her education by attending medical school to become a doctor.
Ana Goldsmith, ranked 10th, is the wife of Armonte Goldsmith, mother of Jacob Goldsmith, daughter of Nora and Felipe Jusino and the granddaughter of Rosa Guillen of Texarkana. Ana graduated with honors from Arkansas High School. Ana was corps commander of AJROTC, parliamentarian of NIKE, a member of National Honor Society, Quizbowl and Mathletes and participated in several AHS musical theater productions. Ana plans to attend the College of Charleston Honors Program, where she will major in psychology and eventually become an occupational therapist.