June 2014 Warrior News - Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Liam

June 2014 Lane Warrior News covers senior award decisions after Lane removed class rank, introducing an application-based selection for valedictorian and salutatorian. The article details the 4.5 weighted GPA requirement, application prompts, and a judging-panel speech process, then names Luke Clohisy and Kornelia Skowron. It includes student reflections on the mixed reactions to this change, outlines activities and achievements for both finalists, and describes their college plans and broader debate about tradition versus competitiveness.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages19

Reading Time29 min

AccessFree to download

Senior college decisions

Application-based selection process

Named valedictorian and salutatorian

Student perspectives and future plans

Drew Williams prayer service, pg. 4 Senior college decisions, pgs. 8-9 Godzilla review. pg. 19 Cold Water Challenge raises money for Drew Williams Lane student participates in the Cold Water Challenge on May 9 outside Door N. The event challenged people to either jump into the cold pool of water or make a donation to the Drew Williams recovery fund. Dozens of students were dripping wet following the Drew Williams prayer service. The complete story on the prayer service is on page four. 2014 valedictorian, salutatorian chosen through application By Marta Malinowski When class rank was removed from Lane in January, a new method of choosing the valedictorian and salutatorian for the graduating class was announced. Seniors would apply for the position. Seniors that were interested had to have a 4.5 weighted GPA. Some of questions on the application included,“Why do you love Lane Tech?” and“Why should you be the valedictorian?” The finalists who were chosen were to write a speech that was be presented to a panel of judges, made up of members of the administration. The top presenter was named valedictorian and the runner up salutatorian. Towards the end of April, it was announced that the 2014 class valedictorian is Luke Clohisy, Div. 475, and the salutatorian is Kornelia Skowron, Div. 478. Though this new process of electing a valedictorian was the chosen option after the removal of class rank, the process elicited mixed responses, even from the chosen valedictorian. “I thought it was interesting, and I’m glad that they gave students who weren’t ranked number one a chance to be elected. It shows that Lane appreciates well-rounded students, in my opinion. However, I still do believe that the people technically ranked number one should be recognized by the class in some way,” Clohisy said. For three years at Lane, Clohisy was a part of the Cross Country and Track teams. However, this year he decided to do something new and joined theater. He played the leading role in “Macbeth”in the fall play and acted in Lane’s Play Festival. Additionally, Clohisy competed in Chemistry Skowron said. Skowron initially did not think about applying. It was not until a while after the application Olympiad this year, is a member of Club U.S.A., Comedy Club, and two bands outside of school. Not only has he been an active student academically, but also extra-curricularly.“He works really hard and he’s also really helpful to whomever asks him for assistance,” said a close friend of Clohisy, Becky Murphy, Div. 478.“He’s oneof the most dedicated people I know and he always gives his best effort possible.”The chosen salutatorian, Kornelia Skowron, Div. 453, was initially surprised when she found out that the valedictorian and salutatorian would no longer be chosen based on class rank. “I personally know the two people that were ranked number one and I was looking forward to seeing them on stage,” “I’mglad that they gave students who weren’t ranked number one a chance to be elected. It shows that Lane appreciateswell-rounded students.” -Luke Clohisy was released that she figured “it would be an honor to be valedictorian.” Throughout the years here at Lane, Skowron was an Alpha student and a member of the National Honors Society, Student Council, and Chemistry Club. She was a Lane Scholar for all four years and a Science Fair winner her junior year. Skowron has also volunteered at her parish, tutored students in both English and Polish, and participated in plays outside of Lane. She believes that although she had very similar qualifications as the other finalists, her speech probably stood out from the rest. “I wanted to explain that all of us have to follow our dreams and passions and not allow others or the fear of failure to get in our way of achieving these Skowron said. She does see the reasons why the two positions are no longer based on class rank, though. “It is important for the two persons representing the w

FAQs

How does Lane choose the valedictorian and salutatorian for 2014 after removing class rank?

Seniors apply, meet a 4.5 weighted GPA requirement, and finalists write a speech for a panel of administration judges. The top presenter becomes valedictorian and the runner-up becomes salutatorian.

Who were selected as the 2014 valedictorian and salutatorian?

The 2014 valedictorian is Luke Clohisy, and the salutatorian is Kornelia Skowron.

What mixed reactions did students have about the new selection process?

Some students appreciated giving unranked top students a chance, while others believed students who were technically ranked number one should still be recognized in some way.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Liam