Whitefield Names Class of 2012 Valedictorian, Salutatorians

Matt Owens, Smyrna resident and son of Bryan and Sharon Owens, has been named Whitefield Academy's 2012 Valedictorian. With a cumulative average of 99.5, Matt has demonstrated the epitome of academic excellence. Earlier this year, Matt was also named Whitefield's STAR student, having the highest SAT score at Whitefield (on a single date). In addition, he is the recipient of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cup, which is awarded to the senior who has achieved all-around excellence and leadership in academics, athletics, the arts, and community activities.

Matt is president of the senior class, a member of the National Honor Society, a peer mentor, and a member of the varsity wrestling team. He has also participated in mission trips to both Romania and Zimbabwe. Matt will attend Vanderbilt University this fall.

With cumulative averages of 97.5 during their four years of high school, seniors John Alar and James Lovas, both Smyrna residents, were both named Whitefield's 2012 Salutatorians.

John, son of Paul and Donna Alar, is senior class vice-president and a member of the National Honor Society. He is also a member of the varsity football and varsity track teams. John won the regional championship in the high jump in both 2011 and 2012; he placed eighth in the state in the high jump in 2011. John was awarded Whitefield's Jabez Award which is given to the student who has shown extraordinary leadership in the Upper School, not only in the classroom but in extracurricular activities.

John recently received the Cambridge Scholarship from Rhodes College which is awarded based on academic achievement and strong leadership. He will be attending Rhodes this fall. John has also signed to become a member of the men’s track and field team at Rhodes and will be competing in the high jump.

James Lovas, son of Andre and Elisabeth Lovas, is a National Merit Scholarship winner. Less than one half of one percent of over 1.5 million students advance to become National Merit Scholarship winners. John is a member of the National Honor Society and a member of Whitefield's winning academic team. In 2011, he was selected into the Georgia Governor's Honors program, a four-week residential program for intellectually gifted high school students. James will be attending Georgia Institute of Technology this fall.

-Courtesy of Whitefield Academy