Top graduates return to Lakeland High School class of 2025
Lakeland High School has two designated top graduates for the first time in six years.
The school board agreed to reinstate valedictorian and salutatorian last summer. The designation begins with the class of 2025.
The board eliminated the naming of top graduates and class rankings in 2016; the policy became effective with the class of 2019. Officials said at the time they got rid of the rankings to produce well-rounded students who care for challenging themselves more than taking easier classes to improve their grade point averages.
Senior Faith Wormuth is this year's valedictorian and fellow senior Evan Berlinski was named salutatorian, the first top graduates with the designations since 2018.
Faith, 18, said she found out the designation returned earlier in the school year.
'That's when I learned that I was first in the class,' the Mayfield resident said. 'I was obviously very surprised but … it's an honor.'
Faith, who graduated with her identical twin sister Deanna Wormuth, said the top designation shows how hard she's worked and how dedicated she is. The twins plan to attend Loyola University Maryland in the fall, with Faith majoring in nursing and Deanna studying forensic science.
*
Faith Wormuth, valedictorian, Lakeland High School class of 2025 (SUBMITTED)
*
Evan Berlinski, salutatorian, Lakeland High School class of 2025 (PATRICK CARRUBE/SUBMITTED)
Show Caption
1 of 2
Faith Wormuth, valedictorian, Lakeland High School class of 2025 (SUBMITTED)
Expand
'It's just gratifying to see that my work is noticed,' Faith said.
Evan, 18, also said he was honored to be named one of the school's top graduates. While he was aware he was one of the top students in the class, the Greenfield Twp. resident didn't expect he would be named salutatorian.
Evan, who plans to study computer science and play soccer at Elizabethtown College, said the designation shows how hard he has worked, as he balanced academics with playing soccer and participating in track and field.
'I feel like my hard work paid off,' he said.
Prior to the designations being reinstated, Lakeland was the only school district in Lackawanna County to not name valedictorian and salutatorian.
Board members reinstated the class rank policy in October. Under it, students in grades 9-12 are ranked by grade point average, with the ranking entered on the student's records. Students who have the same GPA are ranked together.
Class rank does not appear on transcripts. If a higher-education institution requests a student's rank, the district will communicate it directly to the institution, according to the policy.
The board began discussing reinstating the designations last spring after a parent advocated for them to be brought back.
The high school also grants Lambda Eta Sigma status to seniors. Students who wish to earn the designation have to meet a number of academic, extracurricular and attendance requirements. Eleven seniors, including Evan, earning the designation this year, Principal Carmella Bullick said.
Superintendent Marc Wyandt, Ed.D., said the return of a valedictorian and salutatorian is exciting for the district and community.
'We are fortunate to enjoy tremendous community support, and naming a valedictorian and salutatorian is a point of pride that I think everyone shares in,' he said.
Bullick said it feels great to have the designations return.
'I think it definitely honors the academic accolades of our highest-achieving students,' she said.
Lakeland's top graduates were among 102 seniors who graduated on Friday at the Scott Twp. school.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
You can struggle with bias and still be a 'good Christian'
I read Alton Fisher's letter in last Sunday's Free Press. ("What does it mean to be a 'good Christian'?" Detroit Free Press, June 1.) As a person who says that he is "not very religious," your preconceived notions appear to me to lump Christians into either "fully successful" or miserable failures. "Truly sweet" people can stay away from people and activities they don't agree with because they have a right to think and do what their conscience tells them to do. Unless they're being loudly vocal they are not "spreading hate and unacceptance," they are exercising their right to not participate. Maybe they're struggling (yes, Christians struggle) and trying to reconcile biases they were taught with how we are challenged to "hate the sin, love the sinner." When a person does what you would consider a "bad" thing, does that negate anything good they are or have done? I believe not. This isn't a situation where one failure undoes all the good a person has done or will do. Christ accepts us as we are, sins and all. He invites us to accept others as they are and to encourage them to grow in all the virtues that point to an authentic Christian life. Churches that teach anything less than this are misguided at best. More: Detroit mayoral candidates battle for a spot in Mike Duggan's shadow | Opinion Please don't be so hasty as to think that the "sweet people" you reference are bad. Is there anything you have done that is bad? Would you want people to be so harshly critical? I pray not. Mary Robbins St. Clair Shores In response to a letter about so-called Christians. ("What does it mean to be a 'good Christian'?" Detroit Free Press, June 1.) While there is sadly much truth in what he wrote, please know that many Christian churches do welcome all, from every walk of life and certainly including those in the LGBTQ+ community. "No matter who you are or where you are on your life's journey, you are welcome right here." So starts the pastor's welcome announcement. More: I'm a gay man in Detroit. Celebrating Pride feels more important than ever. | Opinion All are invited to partake in communion as well. We are all God's children and God loves us all. No exceptions. It is not our job to judge. We welcome the stranger and enjoy fellowshipping together. God appreciates when our activities help others, strengthen our communities and help take care of this beautiful Earth that God entrusted to us. This for me is a very fulfilling worship experience. God has already taken care of the details. Elsa Copa Watersmeet, Michigan Submit a letter to the editor at and we may publish it online and in print. If you have a differing view from a letter writer, please feel free to submit a letter of your own in response. Like what you're reading? Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access with a Detroit Free Press subscription. We depend on readers like you. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Being a good Christian doesn't mean you don't struggle | Letters
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
You can struggle with bias and still be a 'good Christian'
I read Alton Fisher's letter in last Sunday's Free Press. ("What does it mean to be a 'good Christian'?" Detroit Free Press, June 1.) As a person who says that he is "not very religious," your preconceived notions appear to me to lump Christians into either "fully successful" or miserable failures. "Truly sweet" people can stay away from people and activities they don't agree with because they have a right to think and do what their conscience tells them to do. Unless they're being loudly vocal they are not "spreading hate and unacceptance," they are exercising their right to not participate. Maybe they're struggling (yes, Christians struggle) and trying to reconcile biases they were taught with how we are challenged to "hate the sin, love the sinner." When a person does what you would consider a "bad" thing, does that negate anything good they are or have done? I believe not. This isn't a situation where one failure undoes all the good a person has done or will do. Christ accepts us as we are, sins and all. He invites us to accept others as they are and to encourage them to grow in all the virtues that point to an authentic Christian life. Churches that teach anything less than this are misguided at best. More: Detroit mayoral candidates battle for a spot in Mike Duggan's shadow | Opinion Please don't be so hasty as to think that the "sweet people" you reference are bad. Is there anything you have done that is bad? Would you want people to be so harshly critical? I pray not. Mary Robbins St. Clair Shores In response to a letter about so-called Christians. ("What does it mean to be a 'good Christian'?" Detroit Free Press, June 1.) While there is sadly much truth in what he wrote, please know that many Christian churches do welcome all, from every walk of life and certainly including those in the LGBTQ+ community. "No matter who you are or where you are on your life's journey, you are welcome right here." So starts the pastor's welcome announcement. More: I'm a gay man in Detroit. Celebrating Pride feels more important than ever. | Opinion All are invited to partake in communion as well. We are all God's children and God loves us all. No exceptions. It is not our job to judge. We welcome the stranger and enjoy fellowshipping together. God appreciates when our activities help others, strengthen our communities and help take care of this beautiful Earth that God entrusted to us. This for me is a very fulfilling worship experience. God has already taken care of the details. Elsa Copa Watersmeet, Michigan Submit a letter to the editor at and we may publish it online and in print. If you have a differing view from a letter writer, please feel free to submit a letter of your own in response. Like what you're reading? Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access with a Detroit Free Press subscription. We depend on readers like you. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Being a good Christian doesn't mean you don't struggle | Letters
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Top graduates return to Lakeland High School class of 2025
Lakeland High School has two designated top graduates for the first time in six years. The school board agreed to reinstate valedictorian and salutatorian last summer. The designation begins with the class of 2025. The board eliminated the naming of top graduates and class rankings in 2016; the policy became effective with the class of 2019. Officials said at the time they got rid of the rankings to produce well-rounded students who care for challenging themselves more than taking easier classes to improve their grade point averages. Senior Faith Wormuth is this year's valedictorian and fellow senior Evan Berlinski was named salutatorian, the first top graduates with the designations since 2018. Faith, 18, said she found out the designation returned earlier in the school year. 'That's when I learned that I was first in the class,' the Mayfield resident said. 'I was obviously very surprised but … it's an honor.' Faith, who graduated with her identical twin sister Deanna Wormuth, said the top designation shows how hard she's worked and how dedicated she is. The twins plan to attend Loyola University Maryland in the fall, with Faith majoring in nursing and Deanna studying forensic science. * Faith Wormuth, valedictorian, Lakeland High School class of 2025 (SUBMITTED) * Evan Berlinski, salutatorian, Lakeland High School class of 2025 (PATRICK CARRUBE/SUBMITTED) Show Caption 1 of 2 Faith Wormuth, valedictorian, Lakeland High School class of 2025 (SUBMITTED) Expand 'It's just gratifying to see that my work is noticed,' Faith said. Evan, 18, also said he was honored to be named one of the school's top graduates. While he was aware he was one of the top students in the class, the Greenfield Twp. resident didn't expect he would be named salutatorian. Evan, who plans to study computer science and play soccer at Elizabethtown College, said the designation shows how hard he has worked, as he balanced academics with playing soccer and participating in track and field. 'I feel like my hard work paid off,' he said. Prior to the designations being reinstated, Lakeland was the only school district in Lackawanna County to not name valedictorian and salutatorian. Board members reinstated the class rank policy in October. Under it, students in grades 9-12 are ranked by grade point average, with the ranking entered on the student's records. Students who have the same GPA are ranked together. Class rank does not appear on transcripts. If a higher-education institution requests a student's rank, the district will communicate it directly to the institution, according to the policy. The board began discussing reinstating the designations last spring after a parent advocated for them to be brought back. The high school also grants Lambda Eta Sigma status to seniors. Students who wish to earn the designation have to meet a number of academic, extracurricular and attendance requirements. Eleven seniors, including Evan, earning the designation this year, Principal Carmella Bullick said. Superintendent Marc Wyandt, Ed.D., said the return of a valedictorian and salutatorian is exciting for the district and community. 'We are fortunate to enjoy tremendous community support, and naming a valedictorian and salutatorian is a point of pride that I think everyone shares in,' he said. Bullick said it feels great to have the designations return. 'I think it definitely honors the academic accolades of our highest-achieving students,' she said. Lakeland's top graduates were among 102 seniors who graduated on Friday at the Scott Twp. school.
