Asher, Morales named 2020 top students
By Lynsi Musselman
Honor students for the 2020 Albany High School senior class were announced on Monday, with Addison Asher officially recognized as valedictorian and Jaleigh Morales as salutatorian.
Asher, daughter of Stephanie and Sonny Asher, has earned a total grade point average of 97.9165 during her high school career.
The salutatorian, daughter of Melissa and Edward Morales, has earned an overall GPA of 97.1132.
Local students earn the traditional grade point average based on the numeric grades for each class.
“Student GPAs are not weighted, but class rank is based on weighted points,” said Jenny Scott, Albany High School counselor. “If students take a regular course, their rank points are calculated on a 40-point scale. If students take honors, advanced placement, or dual-credit courses, rank points are calculated on a 50-point scale.”
The students in the top 25 percent of the class are designated as honor students. This year, there are eight honor students in addition to the top two graduates.
The honor students are Aubrey Moon 96.3584, Alayna Koemel 95.75, Gracie LeMay 95.1764, Taylor Scott 94.7894, Max Balliew 94.9814, Tyler Beard 96.2452, Seth Hale 94.42, and Alyssa Zuniga 95.866.
Because of the weighted scores, honor students may be in a different order than the GPAs appear.
Valedictorian
Addison Asher has been student council reporter, class reporter, school newspaper co-editor-in-chief and editor-in-chief, National Honor Society member and president, and was an academic UIL state medalist.
She also competed in track and FFA, was a varsity cheerleader, and was named football sweetheart.
Asher said being valedictorian has been something she has always cared about. She would like to be a veterinarian and knew she needed good grades to achieve that goal.
“This award is an honor and being valedictorian is not something everyone gets to say,” Asher said. “I know my parents are happy about it.”
Asher has been accepted to Texas A&M University, aiming for a degree in biomedical science. She plans to attend veterinarian school after she completes her undergraduate work.
Salutatorian
Jaleigh Morales was senior class vice president, along with being a member of student council, National Honor Society, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
She has competed in UIL spelling, number sense, and mathematics.
Morales was a stand-out in basketball, track and field, softball, and cross country, and she was a varsity cheerleader.
As a basketball player for the Lady Lions, she helped lead the team to the area round her junior year and regional quarterfinals this past season.
She has earned all district honors including second team all-district her freshman year, first team all-district her sophomore year, and All Big Country Team and district offensive MVP her junior year.
In addition, she was selected to the Abilene Reporter News 2A All Big Country Team and Super Team, TABC All Regional Team, and the FCA All Star Festival.
Morales was crowned 2019 homecoming queen and is the Lions Club sweetheart.
She is an active member of Jesus of Nazareth Catholic Church, and she attends Merge at the Feed Store on Monday nights.
Morales has been taking dual credit classes since her freshman year allowing her to graduate with an associate degree from Cisco Junior College in May 2020, prior to receiving her high school diploma.
“I transferred to Albany my sophomore year and have always tried my best,” Morales said. “I have had to work hard at school and put forth an extra effort to get where I am.”
Morales has been accepted to McMurry University in Abilene, majoring in forensic pathology. She will play basketball for the Lady War Hawks. She plans to pursue a career as a forensic pathologist.
