Ventura County Valedictorians

It’s graduation time, and in a two-week spell more than 7,000 seniors in Ventura County will receive their diplomas. Among them, students from 15 high schools earned the title of valedictorian, capping years of hard work.

Royal High School in Simi Valley awarded the title to anyone with a 4.0 grade-point average or above--28 students, including a set of twins. Buena and Ventura high schools dispensed with valedictorians in favor of speakers at their graduations Thursday.

Oxnard High School provided the names of two valedictorian candidates, but the top student won’t be designated until final grades come out Tuesday.

Westlake High School did not provide a full list of its valedictorians.

Some students provided weighted grade-point averages, based on advanced placement courses and other factors. Their schools are denoted with a *.

The following are thumbnail sketches of the seniors who performed at the top of their class:

*

Conejo Valley Unified School District

Newbury Park High School*

Adam Mallord

GPA: 4.56 / 4.0

College: Notre Dame

Career goal: Stockbroker or lawyer

Life goals: I will attend grad school, then I would like to have a steady job that I enjoy. I would also like to travel and help feed starving people.

Elisa Ann Muran

GPA: 4.0

College: UC San Diego

Career goal: Pediatrician or microbiology (biotechnician)

Life goals: I hope to become a professional in the medical field, to be of service to others as well as to get married and have a family of my own.

Zachary Aaron Plaut

GPA: 4.79 / 4.0

College: UC Berkeley

Career goal: I plan to be a genetic engineer.

Life goals: I desire to achieve a greater understanding of myself and the world I live in, and I want to be free to follow my will without apprehension.

*

Thousand Oaks High School

Christopher T. Brooks

GPA: 4.0

College: Brigham Young

Career goal: Computer engineering

Life goals: Finish college, get married and find a good job in a good town.

Kristie Nakamura

GPA: 4.0

College: UC Irvine

Career goal: I plan to major in biology and pursue a career in medical research.

Life goals: I want to make a difference in this world, and I hope to find cures for diseases like AIDS and cancer.

Sarah M. Choi

GPA: 4.71

College: UC Berkeley

Career goal: Physician or medical researcher

Life goals: I hope to complete my education successfully to become a good physician or researcher and be able to use my knowledge and abilities toward helping cure “incurable” diseases and my skills to contribute to society.

Jennifer Detmer

GPA: 4.0

College: Stanford

Career goal: Major in business and / or pursue a career in beach or Olympic volleyball

Life goals: I would like to retire at age 30 to a house on Manhattan Beach where I will take up coaching volleyball and in the off-season travel the world.

Brian Stevenson

GPA: 4.0

College: Harvard

Career goal: Still undecided, but something research-oriented in the math or science field, possibly medicine.

Life goals: To contribute something meaningful to society, and to find an occupation I’m happy with.

Erin Schmidt

GPA: 4.0

College: Stanford

Career goal: I haven’t focused on a specific career yet but want it to be something in the languages.

Life goals: I want to be able to touch someone’s life. When it’s all over, I’d like to be able to say that I made a difference.

*

Westlake High School

Diana Marie Ho

GPA: 4.0

College: Harvard

Career goal: Medicine

Life goals: I hope to be remembered in future generations for something positive; I’d also like to write a bestseller.

Mark Schwartzman

GPA: 4.0

College: Duke

Career goal: Medicine, maybe research

Life goals: I hope to go to medical school after majoring in biomedical engineering and become a doctor or go into medical research. I also hope to meet and marry a beautiful and intelligent woman and have a family.

Michael Chueh

GPA: 4.0

College: UC Berkeley

Career goal: Electrical engineering and computer science

Life goals: I want to contribute to the creation of freer societies all over the world.

Eric Cheng

GPA: 4.0

College: UC Berkeley

Career goal: To become a neurologist

Life goals: To cure people and have a successful practice in medicine.

*

Simi Valley Unified School District

Royal High School

Turadg Aleahmad

GPA: 4.25

College: UC Berkeley

Career goal: Media technology

Life goals: To help humanity advance through science and technology and to have a lasting positive impact on society.

Summer Catherall

GPA: 4.05

College: Brigham Young

Career goal: I plan to become an elementary schoolteacher.

Life goals: I plan to lead a full, happy life helping and serving others in any way I can.

*

Seung Eun Lee

GPA: 4.00

College: UC San Diego

Career goal: To receive a medical degree in dentistry

Life goals: My life goal is to make enough money so my parents do not have to work too hard, and send them on a trip around the world.

Vanessa Runner

GPA: 4.17

College: Pepperdine University

Career goal: Doctor

Life goals: I hope to become a successful doctor and help to better the society that we live in.

Michael Vertuno

GPA: 4.03

College: Cal State Northridge

Career goal: Orthopedic surgeon, and find a cure for cancer.

Life goals: Live to the fullest, have an open mind and impart knowledge onto others.

Olivia Almeida-Duque

GPA: 4.17

College: Notre Dame

Career goal: I plan on becoming an obstetrician and doing research on placental transfer.

Life goals: I will graduate from Notre Dame with high honors. I will start my own medical clinic to provide high quality health care to all patients, regardless of their economic status.

Courtney Duncan

GPA: 4.06

College: UC Berkeley

Career goal: Corporate lawyer

Life goals: I would like to be successful in career, life and love.

Andrea Loveless

GPA: 4.05

College: Boston University

Career goal: Lawyer, judge

Life goals: I would like to go through college and law school, get married, have kids and live a normal life with five horses and millions of dollars.

Zack Ryan

GPA: 4.09

College: Berklee College of Music

Career goal: Film music composer

Life goals: My main goal is to become a successful film composer--and earn enough to make a decent living doing what I enjoy.

Kevin Walker

GPA: 4.05

College: University of Arizona

Career goal: To become the CEO of a major corporation

Life goals: To attain financial solvency and inspire my peers to continue efforts in providing our children and our children’s children with a clean, healthy environment.

Marcela Arroyo

GPA: 4.00

College: Moorpark College

Career goal: Computer programmer

Life goals: I want to finish my education and begin a career. Also, I want to have a happy family in the future.

Amy Frank

GPA: 4.23

College: Southern Methodist University

Career goal: I plan on majoring in communications, although I am currently undecided on a profession.

Life goals: I want to have a loving family and pursue a successful career that positively impacts others.

Diana Melcher

GPA: 4.16

College: UC San Diego

Career goal: Education, teaching

Life goals: My life goals are to be happy in whatever I end up doing and to make happy as many people as possible while I do it.

Brian Jin So

GPA: 4.28

College: Johns Hopkins University

Career goal: Specifically, I would like to be an orthopedic surgeon working at the Mayo Clinic.

Life goals: One of my goals, other than to become a surgeon, is to use my skills for humanitarian [purposes].

Michelle Welch

GPA: 4.18

College: California Lutheran University

Career goal: Large-animal veterinary medicine

Life goals: I want to be successful and happy in all my endeavors. I want to own a large ranch and breed paint horses.

Nathaniel Ryan Ball

GPA: 4.11

College: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Career goal: To work for a biomedical firm

Life goals: I want to make an impact for the good of society. I wouldn’t mind making a little money while I’m at it.

Emily Frank

GPA: 4.23

College: Southern Methodist University

Career goal: I plan to begin with a major in communications but am undecided of my future career.

Life goals: I want to graduate from college and receive as much education as possible. I hope to work in a field that positively impacts others.

Sarah Michelle Parola

GPA: 4.19

College: Johns Hopkins University

Career goal: Enjoying my job while making discoveries

Life goals: To continue my academic and athletic success throughout college and to have a career doing something I love.

Christian Thomas

GPA: 4.16

College: Caltech

Career goal: College professor

Life goals: I would like to get my PhD, become a professor and have a family.

Jill Zagrzejewski

GPA: 4.09

College: UCLA

Career goal: Become a corporate lawyer with a prestigious law firm.

Life goals: For now, I hope to succeed at UCLA, have fun and someday run the marathon.

Magdalena Brzezinska

GPA: 4.05

College: UC Santa Barbara

Career goal: Biochemist/pathologist

Life goals: If I wake up with a smile then everything else will fall into place.

Scott Goldfarb

GPA: 4.18

College: UCLA

Career goal: Computer engineering

Life goals: I plan on going to college, graduating and obtaining a master’s degree in computer engineering.

Lisa Payfer

GPA: 4.28

College: Ohio Wesleyan University

Career goal: My goal is to study medicine and hopefully become a doctor.

Life goals: I’d love to become a doctor with my main emphasis on orthopedics and sports medicine. I also want to marry, raise a family and live happily ever after.

John Thvedt

GPA: 4.10

College: UCLA

Career goal: Genetics or theater

Life goals: Whether working to improve conditions in the human body or the human psyche, I intend to work for the betterment of mankind.

Stephanie Ann Caswell

GPA: 4.05

College: C.W. Post Long Island University

Career goal: Foreign ambassador to London

Life goals: To meet the man of my dreams, marry him, have kids and live happily ever after.

James Kirsh

GPA: 4.07

College: UC San Diego

Career goal: To become a successful computer engineer and musician

Life goals: To raise a family with no financial problems and to enjoy life to its full extent.

Jeremy Dean Plummer

GPA: 4.21

College: UC San Diego

Career goal: I plan on earning a PhD in biochemistry and involving myself in research and development for a biotechnology company.

Life goals: As a biochemist, I want to find cures for genetic disorders such as Alzheimer’s, and to one day win the Nobel Prize.

Ryan Tuttle

GPA: 4.14

College: University of Washington

Career goal: Graduate from college in the top 5% and work for a progressive company

Life goals: Have a rewarding career, have a family, volunteer with youth sports.

Simi Valley High School

Ryan Bart

GPA: 4.23

College: UC Davis

Career goal: Medical research

Life goals: To be successful in my career and just be happy.

Oak Park Unified School District

Oak Park High School

Ryan James Kalember

GPA: 4.65

College: Stanford

Career goal: Leader in the computer industry

Life goals: I’d like to work in the computer industry for the next several decades. Upon retiring, I plan to give a large sum to charity, move to Europe and become a philosopher/author.

Annig Krikorian

GPA: 4.67

College: UCLA

Career goal: Lawyer

Life goals: I would like to make a significant impact upon American society by upholding the principles and values of our founding fathers . . . thereby making this country achieve its full potential and more.

*

Fillmore Unified School District

Fillmore High School

Douglas Arnsdorf

GPA: 4.17

College: UC Berkeley

Career goal: Mutual fund manager

Life goals: After graduating with a degree, I would like to secure an occupation at a well-known firm. I would also like to get married, have children, be able to provide for them and my mother and, most of all, be happy.

Sara Mithra

GPA: 4.33/4.0

College: UC Santa Cruz

Career goal: Writer

Life goals: I want people to read my prose and poetry after I’m dead. I want to have two sunshine girls and raise them in a house of women.

Jessica Cook

GPA: 4.07

College: University of Puget Sound

Career goal: Geology

Life goals: I plan on getting my master’s degree and hopefully a PhD so I can eventually be a college professor.

Nicole Quandt

GPA: 4.17

College: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Career goal: Business

Life goals: After college I would like to attend graduate school to obtain an MBA. After graduate school I would like to establish a secure job in the business market, travel and eventually start a family.

*

Moorpark Unified School District

Moorpark High School

Diana Chow

GPA: 4.33

College: UCLA

Career goal: Financial analyst or actuary

Life goals: I hope to be successful in my career and with my family, give back to my community and live a happy life.

*

Ojai Unified School District

Nordhoff High School

Kendra Greene

GPA: 4.35

College: Lake Forest

Career goal: Forensic anthropologist

Life goals: I wish to be well-traveled, well-read, bilingual and philanthropic.

Santa Paula Union High School District

Santa Paula High School

Timmy Yuen

GPA: 4.31

College: Stanford

Career goal: Genetic research scientist in the field of biomedical firms

Life goals: In my life, I’m striving for a PhD from Stanford for a future as a genetic researcher, a comfortable home and a happy, secure family.

Oxnard Union High School District Camarillo High School

Rebekah Guthimiller

GPA: 4.41

College: Point Loma Nazarene College

Career goal: Dietitian, specializing in working with athletes

Life goals: Through my faith in God, I have learned the importance of honesty and integrity. I would like to hold flexible work hours so that I can have time to teach these qualities to my family and also model them in my career.

Jaeme Reser

GPA: 4.2

College: UC San Diego

Career goal: Physician

Life goals: I would like to get married and have a family while maintaining a career as a successful doctor.

Amber Lyn Zierenberg

GPA: 4.0

College: Moorpark College, then Brigham Young

Career goal: Homemaker / educator

Life goals: Graduate from BYU, get married, raise a family.

Channel Islands High School *

Jeanine Hutton

GPA: 4.48 / 3.97

College: UC Riverside

Career goal: Environmental engineering

Life goals: I hope to create and develop new technologies to remedy environmental problems and ensure a healthy Earth for future generations.

Sara G. Wilcox

GPA: 4.48 / 3.97

College: Cal State Long Beach

Career goal: Working with people, possibly in government or social services

Life goals: My life goals are to reach a high degree of education and to be satisfied in my personal interests and relationships.

Hueneme High School

Tammy Lynn Campbell

GPA: 4.0

College: Moorpark College

Career goal: Psychometrist

Life goals: To be a respected career woman and to live a full, happy and prosperous life.

Brooke Phillips

GPA: 4.33

College: University of Florida

Career goal: High school teacher, and eventually an administrator

Life goals: To live a happy, healthy and successful life. To become a great teacher.

Brenda Uribe

GPA: 4.2

College: Cal Lutheran

Career goal: Business management

Life goals: My goal in life is to be successful in my career, to set an example for our generations to come.

Oxnard High School

Divine Grace Briones

GPA: 4.60

College: UC Davis

Career goal: Neurosurgeon

Life goals: My mission in life is to live with integrity and to make a true difference in the lives of others.

Monica H. Garcia

GPA: 4.14

College: UC Berkeley

Career goal: Environmental science

Life goals: I hope that I will have a successful career doing what I enjoy, although that will require a lot of hard work. I also plan on having a family, which I feel is most important.

Rio Mesa High School

Amira Hamlat

GPA: 4.56

College: Boston University

Career goal: Environmental lawyer

Life goals: I hope to graduate from Boston University and attend law school. I hope to travel after I get my degree and eventually settle somewhere in California.

Jane Kim

GPA: 4.6

College: Northwestern

Career goal: Physician

Life goals: I will attend the Honors Program in Medical Education at Northwestern. Afterward, I plan on returning to Ventura County and living happily ever after.

Jennifer Lazo

GPA: 4.56

College: Cornell

Career goal: Undecided--possibly operations research engineering

Life goals: I plan to graduate from Cornell and further my education by attending graduate school. I would like to eventually return to California to enjoy the rest of my life.