Schools

Meet the Valedictorians, Salutatorians for Meadowcreek, Norcross

Gwinnett County Public Schools releases names of the valedictorians and salutatorians for Meadowcreek and Norcross high schools.

Gwinnett Public Schools released today the names of the valedictorians and salutatorians from and .

The title of valedictorian is normally given to the student with the highest GPA, and salutatorian is given to the student with the second-highest GPA. Photos of the honorees are attached to the story.

Norcross High School:

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  • Valedictorian: Leah Topper, daughter of Sarah and David Topper, will be attending either UNC Chapel Hill or Rice University in the fall. Her intended major is biology. She has received or been offered several scholarships including the Gordon A. Rich Scholarship worth $12,500 annually, the Tulane University Presidential Scholarship worth $27,000 annually, an Emory University Scholarship of $13,000 annually, and Brandeis University Alumni and Friends Scholarship of $34,590 annually. She's also been offered a Rice University Tuition Grant worth $30,400 annually. She plans to attend medical school and hopes to become a doctor. Topper said she also may venture into the scientific research field. Her honors and awards include being a volleyball scholar athlete, a PTA Reflections Music Compositions finalist, placing first in the science fair, being president of the Jewish Culture Club and the senior class treasurer. She also volunteers as a piano player at Summer's Landing and is an active member of the Congregation Beth Shalom.
  • Salutatorian: Andrew Alin, son of Mary Alin and Jay Alin, will be attending the University of Pennsylvania with an intended major of biomedical engineering. He has recieved the Maxxis International USA scholarship, and he plans to become either a bioengineering professor, a nanotechnologist or a robotics engineer. His honors and awards including being a U.S. Department of Education Presidential scholar, a STAR Student System Winner, being in the Governor's Honor Program for math and being an American Mathematics Competitions AMC-10 School winner. He's on the Norcross Math Team as the varisty captain and GAME oralist, and is the president of both the Norcross Science Club and the Norcross Senior Beta. His community activities include collecting, renovating and donating laptops for Mustard Seed Communities supporting orphanages in Jamaica, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic; and fundraising for the Care4Needy Copts organization.

Meadowcreek High School:

  • Valedictorian: Austin Bernard, son of Michael and Kimberly Bernard, plans to attend the University of Georgia with an intended major of microbiology. His scholarships include the UGA Incentive and the Maxxis International USA scholarships. His honors and awards include being first place for Meadowcreek's science fair, placing third in Gwinnett's Regional Science and Engineering Fair and receiving an AP scholar award. His school activities include being on the student council, varsity baseball, national honor society and latin club. He's volunteered at FurKids in Norcross and the Norcross Cooperative Ministry, and he's an Eagle Scout of Troop 247 Norcross. 
  • Salutatorian: Amal Punnoose, son of Matthew Punnoose and Vincy Punnoose, plans to attend the University of Georgia with a major in biology, with intentions of becoming a neurologist. His scholarships include the UGA Incentive and the Maxxis International USA scholarships. His awards include being on the all-A honor roll, a Science Olympiad Regional medalist, being in the Governor's Honors Program, being a Meadowcreek High ambassador and scoring a medal at the Regional Science Fair. His school activities include being president of the National Honor Society and participating in the Member Key Club, Member Science Olympiad and Tennis Team. He is an AP tutor and a member of MGOCSM, which is a youth community service group.

Have a student who's graduating this spring from college or high school? .

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