An All-Star Student

Presidential Scholar Kate M. Riggs

Three cheers to Kate M. Riggs ('99 co-valedictorian) for being named Presidential Scholar! The award is given annually to 140 U S. students for outstanding academic achievement, service and leadership. Kate received her medal from President Clinton in a ceremony last June at Georgetown University. As the fourth Presidential Scholar to hail from West since 1985, Kate now majors in chemistry at Harvard.
"Getting the award was such an honor," Kate exclaimed. "[Principal] Mr. Baines was right - a public school can compete with the best private schools in the state." Kate gives special thanks to Carolyn Somma, whom she chose to honor in the Georgetown ceremony as her Distinguished Teacher. "Mrs. Somma is a role model dedicated to community service who really loves her kids," Kate explains. "There were many teachers I could have asked, but she has by far influenced my life and who I'll become."

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